Mayo Concert Orchestra tunes up for annual performances

The Mayo Concert Orchestra will play in Castlebar’s Linenhall Arts Centre on May 11 and 12.

Mayo Concert Orchestra tunes up for annual performances


Mayo Concert Orchestra will perform its annual concerts at The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12. The concerts will also feature Kiltimagh soprano Francie McNicholas and acclaimed Claremorris harpist Gráinne Hambly.
According to George Lee, the director, the Mayo Concert Orchestra originally came into being almost as a matter of chance. The long-running Castlebar Concert Band approached George over 12 years ago and asked if he would conduct the concert band as a temporary measure when the then conductor was on leave.
George noticed that there was a strong brass and woodwind section, and that the percussion element was established – all that was missing to form a concert orchestra was a string section.
A number of the members duly came together and sought out the beginnings of the string section, and so the Mayo Concert Orchestra was born. Among the early recruits was Nuala Higgins, a former music teacher in Kiltimagh. Ms Higgins is now the orchestra’s leader.
Musicians of all sections of Mayo society, including school goers, octogenarians, shopkeepers, solicitors, school teachers and housewives, make up the orchestra, and the musical credentials range from the amateur enthusiast to the experienced music professional. The latter make up the outfit’s backbone.
All are greatly looking forward to The Linenhall concerts. This year’s repertoire promises to bring the audience on an exciting musical journey, with European folk dances, a selection of musical medleys and a nod to 20th-century North America all on the agenda.
For tickets, which cost €15 each (€12 concessions), contact The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.