Royal Oak Strings
We had a wonderful evening with our visitors from Michigan, U.S.A. on April 4th. We made friends and heard great music from the Royal Oak ensemble. Thanks to everyone, students and parents who made the effort to join with them for a lovely concert on that night. They enjoyed meeting everyone. Our collection for Japan on that night exceeded €500.
Orchestra News:
A big congratulations to all the students in Úna’s and Máire’s Orchestras who toured this year.
Úna’s Orchestra travelled to Clifden for an overnight stay in the Alcock and Brown Hotel. They performed a concert in the Church of Ireland on the Saturday night to a very small audience. (There was confirmation in Clifden on that day). We played with the Clifden Choir at Sunday Mass the next morning which was relayed on Community Radio and had another concert in Moycullen on the way home. We had a large audience in Moycullen and had a collection for the Japan Flood Fund. Thanks to everyone who supported this fund.
Maire’s Orchestra went on a day trip to three National Schools, Ballymacward, Menlough and Moylough. We had a wonderful day and played beautifully for appreciative audiences in all three schools. We had lunch in Mountbellew and finished in Moylough. Thanks to the Principals from the schools and a special thanks to Fiona for the lovely buns. We look forward to our trip next year when we will go to three different schools.
The recently established Mountbellew National School Orchestra, under the baton of Máire Ní Dhuibhir, played for the President of the National Camogie Association of Ireland and other GAA dignities last Thursday. They also played for a foreign delegation of teachers last Monday. Quite an audience for the new Orchestra. Congrats to all involved.
The Big Invite:
Music Matters have been invited to participate in a concert in Paris (yes, Paris, France) in April 2012. Wouldn’t this be a fantastic opportunity for our students to travel with their music? If you think you would be interested in travelling to France, please inform the office of Music Matters 0909675629 (leave a message if there is no one at the end of the phone). If there is an interest we will do a costing.
Congratulations:
To Sharon Barrett, Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew and Louise Spellman, St. Killians VEC, New Inn, who both received awards for their outstanding contribution to music in their schools. Well done girls.
We are getting to the end of term and have some dates for your diary.
Solo Concerts
We will hold our Solo Concerts during group week on the 7th 8th and 9th of June. Your teacher will give you a time for your solo performance. We will have concerts at 4.30pm., 6.00pm. and 7.30pm. on the 7th and 8th in New Inn. The recitals on the 9th will be at 5pm and 7pm in the Loughrea Hotel and will mostly involve our piano students. Please let your teacher know if you have a preference of day or time. Otherwise phone the office with your required times.
Parent “get together”:
We are hosting an informal Parent Evening in the Loughrea Hotel on Thursday the 16th of June at 8pm. This is an evening of discussion with questions and answers. It is nice to meet others “in the same boat as ourselves” and speaking from my own experience, it gives parents lots of information and also an opportunity to air any topics they want to. The teachers will be there to help with any queries you may have. We hope to see you all there. Two parent representatives will be nominated to the Board of Music Matters from this meeting.
Saturday 18th June
We are holding Book challenges on Saturday 18th of June starting at 12.30pm. in New Inn Leisure Centre. We are also going to have a Twinkle graduation, same time and venue, with certificates for this year’s Twinkle graduates. All string players are welcome to this event as there will be group classes for cello, viola and violin.