Other community activities
Spreading the joy of music
Throughout the year, ICO musicians give time to visit local voluntary organisations and charities to perform for audiences who are unable to attend concerts.
These performances have included St Gabriel’s School for Children with Special Needs, St Paul’s Nursing Home, St Camillus Hospital, The Children’s Ark in Limerick Regional Hospital, Sisters of Charity and Milford Hospice. Feedback from these concerts has been overwhelmingly positive and is a tradition that the ICO intends to continue.
ConCorda
ConCorda is an international chamber music course for string players held in the beautiful surrounds of Newtown School, Waterford annually. ConCorda is directed Artistic Director Katherine Hunka, Leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestraoffers advanced string players aged between 14 and 26 an inspiring and transforming musical experience in chamber music, string orchestra and music improvisation.
The course is designed to give students the opportunity to study chamber music intensively at a very high level with a staff of Irish and International experts including members of the Irish Chamber Orchestra. ConCorda is directed Artistic Director Katherine Hunka, Leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra and Course Director Peggy Nolan. ConCorda is supported by the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and The Arts Council. For more information visit ConCorda's website.
On the course, students will
- Develop ensemble awareness, techniques and skills through working with other advanced string players from Ireland and abroad
- Receive professional coaching and direction in preparation for two public concerts
- Participate in daily improvisation and rhythm workshops, exploring music through composition and movement
- Attend a masterclasses with a leading professional quartets
- Rehearse and perform with the ConCorda String Orchestra
- Participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.
The only words coming to my mind are friendship, generosity, fantastic energy, and of course love for music and people. So thanks a million, and much more…Long live ConCorda!
Sylvain Séailles, Quatuor Varese (Quartet-in-Residence) Concorda 2011
Ceol na Mara Orchestra and Summer School for Strings
Run by our own very talented violinist Oonagh Keogh, the Ceol na Mara Orchestra takes place approximately every three weeks on Sunday afternoons in the ICO Studio.
The Ceol na Mara Orchestra welcomes young string musicians between ages 9-18 years old, offering them an opportunity to come together and experience the musical benefits, and fun, of playing a variety of music, including classical, traditional Irish, jazz, pop and more, as a group. Musicians can also enjoy learning unique pieces composed and arranged specially for them, by Oonagh.
Ceol na Mara also holds their Summer School for Strings every July in the beautiful Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. It’s a wonderful experience for families and individuals of all ages offering them the chance to experience a collaborative learning environment, meet fellow musicians and grow in confidence on their instrument.
For more information contact OonaghKeogh@gmail.com or visit www.ceolnamara.ie
