World of music opens to the youth of Laois

Young people from right around Laois are invited to discover their musical talents at an event in Portlaosie where the world of music will be thrown open to them.

Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music’s Annual Open Evening takes place in Laois Music Centre, Portlaoise on Tuesday 27 August from 6-8pm.

The organisers say it is a great way to meet all the tutors, and try out lots of different musical instruments.

Tutors from both Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music will be on hand to guide families on the huge variety of music lessons on offer, with lots of musical instruments on-site for everyone to try out.

Laois Music Centre is a unique facility for music education in the midlands, located on Church Avenue in Portlaoise (R32 Y074) with top of the range facilities for music students. Laois Music Centre houses both Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music.

Laois School of Music provides lessons in voice/singing, piano, violin, cello, flute, recorder, guitar, drums, kindermusic (an introduction to music for younger children ages 4-6) and pre-instrumental music for children age 7-8.

There are also a range of ensembles for young musicians to participate in, including the Laois School of Music Junior and Senior Orchestra, and Flute Choir. Laois School of Music provides Leaving Cert Music classes for students who wish to take Leaving Cert music outside of school. Adult students are very welcome, Laois School of Music currently have many adult students attending classes.

Music Generation Laois provides group lessons in brass, bodhrán, handpan, harp, uilleann pipes, tin whistle, concertina, traditional flute, keyboard, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, singing, ukulele, drum kit, double bass and The Music Box - a performance music education programme for children and young people with special needs.

Opportunities to perform are available by joining Music Generation Laois’ Harp Ensembles, Trad Orchestra, Junior and Intermediate Trad Groups and rock and pop bands. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Six Bricks performing at the Music Generation Laois, Summer School of Rock and Pop Concert in Laois Music Centre.

Music Generation Laois have a large instrument bank, and instruments are available for hire, to both Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois students. In 2024, Music Generation Laois launched a ‘Laois Community Choir’, an inclusive singing group for ages 16 plus, open to all abilities and backgrounds.

Music Generation Laois, in partnership with LOETB Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, offer full time and part time study options in Music Studies with Popular Music, Traditional Music and Music Production, QQI Levels 5 and 6.

To find out more about prices and age requirements for instruments, click on the ‘Sign Up Now’ button on www.musicgenerationlaois.ie

Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music are part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.