Young musicians with teacher Michael Fennelly, principal Liam Ahern and teacher Maggie Hyland along with Terry Byrne and Dale McKay from Music Generation Laois who produced the video and Rosa Flannery, Music Development Officer Music Generation Laois, at The Rock NS ‘Schools Out’ video launch. Photos: Alf Harvey
By Carmel Hayes
CHILDREN from The Rock NS, Mountmellick have launched a brilliant video showcasing their adventures with bodhráns, as part of a programme with Music Generation Laois (MGL).
The imaginative video Schools Out shows that the creative spirit is alive and well among young musicians at the school, as well as principal Liam Ahern and teachers Michael Fennelly and Maggie Hyland.
The young bodhrán players feature as the central characters in the video, which opens with a “UFO” – a water bottle labelled ‘Rock Fuel’ – dramatically hurtling out of the sky towards the school. MGL musician educator Dale McKay and Terry Byrne from MGL developed the video with the children’s ideas as inspiration.
MGL will run a three-day Trad Summer School from 28-30 June at Laois Music Centre on Church Avenue, Portlaoise, with bodhrán classes across all three days. There are also classes in tin whistle, harp, trad flute, concertina and uilleann pipes.
The Summer School costs €60 and is open to children age eight upwards, from recent beginners to advanced. To book, call 057 8681782 or email [email protected].
MGL is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, funded by U2, The Ireland Funds and the Department of Education. Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.
To watch the ‘Schools Out’ video, click here:
Enjoying the video at The Rock NS ‘Schools Out’ video launch
Watching The Rock NS ‘Schools Out’ video launch
