Music Service

Mission Statement:

To foster a love for and understanding of music by providing tuition and wide-ranging performance opportunities for young people. Through a team of highly motivated and dedicated professional tutors, students will develop musical skills and understanding which will enhance their own personal development to the greater benefit of schools and the wider community.

OUR MOST EXCITING VENTURE TO DATE!!!

The Launch of “Gullion Tales”

The South Ulster Youth Orchestra, 100 choir members from Dundalk Institute of Technology and over 100 pupils in years 8 & 9 from St Joseph's Boys High School, St Paul's HS, Bessbrook & Newry HS, will join forces to present the World Premiere of an exciting new commission by Belfast composer Brian Irvine.

Brian Irvine is currently the Associate composer with the Ulster Orchestra and has conducted and performed all over the world, appearing at many international festivals throughout Europe, Russia and America to widespread critical acclaim.

In this exciting project he has researched, alongside the pupils involved, the theme of “local Myths and Legends” to produce the commissioned piece titled “Gullion Tales”.

Pictured are pupils ,from the local schools involved ,at the recent launch of the project where Brian worked with some of the young musicians and also presented a compositional workshop to more senior students.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The Music Service’s Annual Christmas Concert is always one of the most popular events in the concert calendar and this year was no exception. A programme of music that provided something for everyone entertained the capacity audience in the Island Arts Centre, Lisburn.

Almost 200 young musicians took to the stage with performances by the South Ulster Youth Orchestra, Youth Band, Big Band, Celtic players & Harp Ensemble. One of the many highlights of the evening was provided by a superb performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto - 1st Movt. Performed by soloist Cahal Masterson with the South Ulster Youth Orchestra. Cahal, a 6th yr student from St. Colman’s College, Newry is currently studying piano in Dublin and left the audience in no doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him.

The varied programme, introduced by Wilfie Pyper, moved through many genres, covering classics, jazz and blues, popular music, toe tapping traditional arrangements and of course the seasonal favourites.

Congratulations to all the young musicians and their tutors who were involved in making it such an entertaining evening.