Roscommon County Arts Office

Roscommon County Youth Orchestra

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Woodwind

Brass

Roscommon County Council and Roscommon V.E.C. with the support of Mid-South Roscommon LEADER Company initiated a Music Development Programme in 2004, which aims to develop participation in music by young people and in the coming years to develop a Youth Orchestra in the county.

The first stage in this was a pilot project in primary schools where pupils used descant recorders moving to soprano, alto, tenor, and bass recorders developing an understanding the workings of an orchestra and developing playing skills that can in turn form the basis for playing more complex instruments.

From the outset, a core concern with the project was inclusion and equal access, socially and geographically, for all young people throughout the county. As orchestras are divided into four sections – Woodwind, Brass, Strings and Percussion, four ensembles will be established in different locations around the county, meeting together at intervals to form the larger Roscommon County Youth Orchestra.

The Arts Office in partnership with Roscommon VEC have recently launched Phase Two of Roscommon County Youth Orchestra. The first two centres of tuition; woodwind in Boyle and brass in Castlerea opened earlier this year. There are twelve students in each section who can avail of paired tuition and become part of an ensemble.

Additionally, an instrument bank has been set up to allow youth orchestra members to borrow their instrument for the time they’re involved in the orchestra

An important aspect of Roscommon County Youth Orchestra is the involvement of parents of the students, whom we rely on to provide a supervisory role one week in six. While it’s not a huge commitment, it’s vital to us to ensure the smooth running of the workshops whilst also offering the opportunity for parents to be more involved with their children’s extra curricular interests.

News

Trip to the National Concert Hall
RCYO members to visit the National Concert Hall on 9th February to see the 13th Annual Festival of youth orchestras. The group will have an opportunity to see orchestras from all around the country and will get an idea of where RCYO is headed. Members from the three sections, woodwind in Boyle, brass in Castlerea and strings in Roscommon will attend, many meeting for the first time.

Debut performances for brass and woodwind sections
Members of Roscommon County Youth Orchestra Woodwind Ensemble had their first performance on the last Saturday before Christmas in King House in Boyle. The group was formed in April and they meet every Saturday in Abbey Community College where they receive paired tuition and an ensemble session with their tutor Steve Hanks.

The Brass Ensemble of the Orchestra, who only formed in May of this year, were also celebrating Christmas by treating passers-by to Christmas carols in Castlerea on Saturday with their tutor Nathan Power. The brass ensemble meets on Saturdays in Castlerea VEC.

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Woodwind

If you are interested in joining the woodwind section, please contact Avril Carr on 090 66 32541 or acarr@roscommoncoco.ie.

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Brass

The brass section of RCYO opened on 12 th May in Castlerea VEC, St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea. There are currently ten students under the tutelage of Nathan Power. Students play trumpet, trombone and baritone horn. Some of the brass section are also members of Castlerea Brass and Reed Band while others are complete beginners. If you are interested in joining the brass ensemble, contact the arts office on 090 66 32541 or or email acarr@roscommoncoco.ie.

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Strings

The strings section opened on 3rd November 2007. There are currently ten students under the tutelage of Natalia Gorevenco. The group meets every Saturday in Roscommon VEC on Lanesboro Street. Most students are learning to play the violin but we also have a double bass player. We have both beginners and improvers. If you are interested in joining the strings section of RCYO, please contact Avril Carr on 090 66 32541 or acarr@roscommoncoco.ie.

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Percussion- Coming Soon

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For further information on any aspect of RCYO, contact Avril Carr, Arts Education & Development Co-ordinator on 090 66 32541 or email acarr@roscommoncoco.ie.

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Funders

RCYO is a project of Roscommon County Council Arts Service in partnership with Roscommon VEC with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland.