Young musicians raised roof at 'Big Sing' in Belvedere
Young singers raised the roof at the ‘Big Sing’ Music Generation Offaly Westmeath (MGOW) event in at Belvedere House and Gardens last month.
After a two-year break, the festival returned to host more than 450 primary school children from 10 schools across Westmeath and Offaly and they came together to create a musical extravaganza.
This year's event was led by Irish Youth Training Choir conductor, Patrick Barrett, and during sessions young singers had the opportunity to work with members of the MGOW musician team.
Margaret Broome, MGOW development officer, said: "It is our hope that involvement in events like the ‘Big Sing’ lay the foundations for a lifelong love of singing.”
The two-day affair kicked off with live youth music events including ‘Music Jam Live' and an early evening gig featuring young singer-songwriters performing with professional bands, ‘CODYY’ and ‘Good Strangers’.
Joan O’Connor of Youthwork Ireland Midlands said: “It was just amazing to see young musicians owning the stage, confidently sharing their original songs – the performances were superb.
“‘It’s just wonderful to be back holding in-person concerts again and my band were just delighted to be part of this gig.
“I really wish something like this had been around when I was starting out and I’m hoping events like these continue to go from strength to strength.”
Some excited members of ‘Music Jam’ rocked the music tent for almost three hours on the Saturday (June 11).
The band, made up of children aged 6-18, delighted the audience with energetic performances of well-known songs.
Local MGOW musicians Frank Byrne and Andrew Cody, who teach the weekly sessions in Columb Barracks along with Justin Ryan and John Byrne, also ensured that the inaugural performance of MGOW’s Intergenerational Ukulele Group was a huge success.
The day concluded with some classic rock performed by the senior Music Jammers.
Planning is already under way for an autumn programme of events.
To find out more about all of the MGOW’s activities see www.musicgenerationoffalywestmeath.ie.