MTB and IMYO team up for Spring Concert at St Paul's
Mullingar Town Band (MTB) and Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra (IMYO) are collaborating to present an evening of music from both in St Paul’s Church at 7pm on Sunday, May 8.
The newly formed Community Adult Concert Band will give its debut performance in concert on the evening. While MTB always had a concert band element, The Community Adult Concert Band was established in October 2021 following THE Covid Lockdowns and a call-out to local instrumentalists who were interested in reigniting a love of playing music in a band setting.
The call-out was aimed at anyone from learners to experienced players and it generated great interest among former MTB members as well as advanced learners from other settings who wanted to experience ensemble playing in a band.
Forty-five instrumentalists now rehears once a month and they have come a long way under the baton of John Walsh since last October.
On Sunday they will perform a varied music programme which includes The Lord of The Dance, Austin Powers and Mozart.
Band director Kim Magee said: “The Community Adult Concert Band are excited about the concert on Sunday with the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra. The members should be proud of themselves for how far they have come in a short time. For many members, it is their first time in over 30 years to play in a concert setting.
“The past few months have been about putting a concert repertoire together as well as building back confidence and technique in instrumental for many of our members.”
The Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra was founded in 2005 by Vincent Hunt. They have in the NCH, Germany, Madrid and Dubai in addition to staging their own concerts, and perform regularly with other instrumental groups, orchestras and choirs.
The orchestra rehears once a month during the school year under the baton of Matt Rafter, musical director, and they have two-day workshops with sectional tutors twice a year, including with the Cork School of Music in 2019, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2020 and with traditional composer Michael Rooney in 2021 – his ‘Bealach Ar Ais Suite’ will be performed in St Paul’s on Sunday.
The orchestra’s most recent performance was in the National Concert Hall in February at the Festival of Youth Orchestras.
Both Mullingar Town Band and the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra are voluntary run organisations and welcome new members annually – see Facebook and their websites; irishmidlandsyo@gmail.com and mullingartownband1879@gmail.com.
‘Spring Concert’ tickets are €10 (adult) and €5 (child) and are available from ensemble members and committees and from Rochforts shop, Dominick Street.
Railway Market
The fortnightly market at the Bandhall (N91YY96) is on Saturday, May 7, 11am to 3pm, and again on May 21. There will be plenty on offer from home baking, free range eggs, fresh meat, honey, kombucha and gluten free baking, to craft stalls and tea, coffee and treats.
The Railway Market has outdoor space available and is looking for food producers.
On Saturday May 21, market is teaming up with The Petitswood Art makers and Mullingar Town Band at Fusion Fest, a fun family friendly event.
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