Midlands Youth Orchestra shine at the Festival of Youth Orchestras

The Midlands Youth Orchestra put on an outstanding performance at the Festival of Youth Orchestras last Saturday, February 19 last.

The concert featuring four other youth orchestras – City of Belfast School of Music Junior Chamber Orchestra, Music Generation Louth Senior String Orchestra, Dundalk Grammar School Orchestra and Queen’s University Symphony Orchestra was held in the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Under the baton of musical director, Matt Rafter with leader Arka Chatterjee the orchestra performed Mozart’s Symphony No.35 in D Major and an arrangement of pieces from the prolific composer Michael Rooney’s - An Bealach Ar Ais (translated “The Way Back”) Suite – a seamless fusion of the classical and traditional music.

The first movement of this suite is called Aonrú which Michael wrote during lockdown when he couldn’t see his parents for a long time and was struck by the isolation many people were experiencing.

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The music references ‘Down By The Sally Gardens’, a tune which reminded him of his parents. Moving through ‘Sult’ an uplifting reel, the piece concluded with an energetic and lively presentation of ‘Dochas’, our hope as we move out of difficult times! The orchestra has a strong group of traditional players, and it was an honour to be able to play this beautiful piece which delighted the audience.

Michael Rooney has composed many pieces which combine traditional Irish music with classical music. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost players of the traditional Irish harp. He was awarded the TG4 Composer of the year in 2017. One of his compositions the "Macalla Suite" composed for the 1916 centenary was performed in London by the Macalla Orchestra - some past members of Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra were members of that orchestra. Other notable compositions by Michael Rooney include the Famine Suite (2019) and the Battle of the Books Suite (2007). His music also features on the ‘The Queen’s Speech’, RTE’s documentary of Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland.

The Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra was founded by Vincent Hunt in 2006 after a collaborative project involving different orchestras from around the midlands.

It is now a well-established and successful group of young musicians, aged between 12 and 22 who come primarily from the Offaly area and adjoining counties. Since its inception the orchestra has had several achievements, most notably previous performances in the National Concert Hall as part of the Festival of Youth Orchestras. The orchestra has visited Germany, Dubai and Madrid where they have performed alongside local orchestras and musicians. In addition to staging their own concerts, the orchestra has performed regularly with other groups, including Athlone Orchestra, Scoil Mhuire Tullamore, Lakeland Orchestra, Vltava String Quartet, and the Musical Allsorts Choir for their ever-popular Christmas concert in Mullingar. In May 2019 the orchestra teamed up with St. Mary’s School Choir, Edenderry and Academy of Music,Tullamore for a series of ambitious concerts.

The orchestra rehearses once a month and runs a series of workshops for the musicians at different points in the year. Some notable workshops were with the Cork School of Music in August 2019, a workshop with RTE Concert Orchestra in January 2020, and most recently with traditional composer Michael Rooney.

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By participating in the orchestra, the aim is to develop individual music skills, self-esteem, social awareness, confidence and the ability to work as a team; most importantly the orchestra promotes fun and friendship through music.

The IMYO also have a new orchestra for younger musician called “Primo” Orchestra. This was formed 2016 for young people (age 8-12) to prepare and give them the opportunity to play in an orchestral environment before they progress into the senior orchestra. Before covid restrictions the orchestra rehearsed approximately one day per month during the school year, and for two or three-day workshops September and January, where new music pieces were planned and introduced.

The orchestra plays music of various styles from classic to modern pop and traditional Irish. With the easing of covid restrictions, it is hoped to get back to normal and showcase the rich and high standard attained under our current Musical Director, Matt Rafter.

Matt Rafter is a cellist, conductor, and event producer based in Dublin. As a freelance musician he is in regular demand for performing, recording and touring projects, which he balances against his passion for music education at all levels. He is currently Musical Director of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra, and cellist of both the Vltava and Belenus String Quartets. He also serves as Concerts Manager for Crash Ensemble, Ireland’s foremost contemporary music group.

Matt completed his undergraduate degree in Music at Trinity College, Dublin in 2013, where he played an active role in the musical life of the college, including conducting the Trinity Orchestra at major Irish festivals and internationally. From 2013-14 Matt toured internationally as cellist with Irish sensation Hozier, as well as performing variously with Kodaline, The Riptide Movement, Heathers and many more. From 2015-18 he was a Musician Educator on the strings programme with Music Generation South Dublin and proceeded to establish orchestra projects in a number of schools as the programmes matured.

Having been a member of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra as a teenager, Matt returned to become Musical Director in 2015 – 18, enjoying performances in the National Concert Hall and in Madrid in 2017.  After two years living in Montreal, Matt returned to Ireland and was delighted to return to his role with the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra in 2020. Matt was delighted that the orchestra was able to feature the music of the distinguished composer Michael Rooney.