Festive Fun at the 16th IAYO Festival of Youth Orchestras



Luthier Kieran Crehan at his stand



IAYO Festival 2011-02-13
Sligo Academy of Music Junior Orchestra Conductor Niamh Crowley
Trumpet Minuet Prelleur arr Nelson

Over the Rainbow Arlen arr Bob Cerulli

Ode to Joy Beethoven arr Meyer
Trepak Tchaikowsky arr Meyer
Pirates of the Caribbean Badelt arr Moore
Satisfaction Jagger arr Story


Fingal County Youth Orchestra Conductor Alan Duff
Selections from West Side Story Bernstein arr Duff
Shenandoah arr Duff
Medley from Glee arr Duff


Greystones Y O and Newpark school of Music String Orchestra Anne Moroney Artemis Kent
In C Terry Riley arr Artemis Kent
Hedwigs Theme Williams
Bela’s Lullaby Carter Burwell
Deep End Roger Doyle

Coole Music Y O Katharina Baker
Adventure Suite Baker
The Hunchback of Notre Dame Menken arr Moss


The annual jamboree of youth orchestras took place in the the NCH this weekend .  After coffee in the Conrad where I was delighted to meet old friends from Liffey Valley Orchestra, I arrived  at the NCH in time to join a small group of spectators for a conducting masterclass in the Kevin Barry room with Lorenzo Della Fonte . Four candidates including Shannon Burns, Alan Duff , Patrick Burke and Robert O Brien were put through their paces in a Holst Suite with one of the Academy Wind and Brass Ensembles in a good humoured session . It was good to meet Shannon who tells me she is based in Limerick and is involved with a new inclusive music education project at the Redemptorist Centre .

 At 2pm the foyer starts to fill up and a string quartet wearing school uniforms  sets up in a corner with  luthier , Kieran Crehan occupying a space at the other side, a familiar face at this event .  Bob Creech form Clare stops by to drop his flyers. Kathleen Turner, Education Officer with the ICO is promoting Concorda's course .  Fionnuala Sherry passes by on route to collect a bow and we chat  a little about  the recent IYO reunion  and she reports sales of her new album are doing well.

There is a near full house for the four ensembles .  Sligo Academy Junior Orchestra  features some very young players and one can imagine the excitement of the big stage for the fledgling musicians  some of whom are so young their feet don't touch the floor.  Niamh Crowley in a very elegant dress is an energetic presence on the podium . Fingal YO have a very mature sound and their  young conductor, and arranger, Alan Duff gives a very poised and assured performance on the podium .  At the interval reception,  leading politicians Leo Vradakar (who is surprisingly tall) of FG and Eamonn Gilmour of Labour mingled with representatives from music establishments including Gerry Flanagan of Kylemore College, Michael John Ryan of Tipperary Ryan School of Music , Dorothy Conaghan of NCH Learn and Explore and Carol Daly, Artistic Director of the Festival.

A notable element of the second half programme was the large proportion of works by contemporary composers and one suspects some of the more avant garde were not easy to rehearse.

Coole Music

Coole Music Orchestra  , I had heard quite recently.  This is a very impressive ensemble for such a relatively newly established faculty .  Katharina Baker's works are very attractive and I hope she publishes them as they would be very useful repertoire for young ensembles . 

The event was adroitly compered by Sean Rocks presenter of RTE flagship Arts programme, ‘Arena’  who did very well  to keep the afternoon flowing smoothly  during the changeovers with his young interviewees.

The festival as usual seemed a suitably  festive and well organised event  and no doubt will provide memories to treasure by those fortunate to participate.I have very happy memories of bringing Colaiste Muire Orchestra , Ennis to join my former students at St Peter's College Orchestra, Dunboyne at last year's event . Also, a trip to attend an orchestra workshop given by Dr Dackow, guest director was very successful
 Meeting some fellow string teachers , the idea of having a workshop/ seminar  for string teachers  is floated . Travelling up from the West for the afternoon concert , I had a few hours  to spare  to devote to Association affairs. Perhaps a workshop  on website management or string teaching techniques for example might draw a good attendance with the opportunity to attend the Festival in tandem .  Perhaps the AGM could be held  before the afternoon concert.
In any event, a trip to perform at this premier concert venue remains a high point in any  players career , whatever their age and  Allin Gray and his team  do a  great job in facilitating so many players participation in this annual festival


Carol Daly Artistic  Director and Michael John Ryan of Tipperary Ryan YO





Alan Duff Rising Star