'The Wicklow Ways' by Vincent Kennedy will be premiered at the Mermaid Arts Centre on 22 March

The Wicklow Ways is commissioned by Wicklow County Council under the Per Cent for Art Scheme on behalf of Music Generation Wicklow, and will receive 2 performances on 22 March at 3pm and 4.30pm at the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray.

The work is written for orchestra comprising 73 young Wicklow musicians performing on violin, recorder, ukulele, guitar, piano and a whole host of drums and tuned percussion instruments.

Vincent Kennedy first visited the four schools: Scoil Chaoimhin Naofa, Gleann da Loch, Co. Chill Mhantain; St Laurences National School, Kindlestown, Greystones, Co. Wicklow; Lacken National School, Blessington, Co.Wicklow; St Cronans National School, Vevay Road, Bray, Co.Wicklow, in May 2014 and carried out 4 workshops in each school since September 2014. The workshop process engaged the young musicians in fun and challenging ways inspiring them to perform to the best of their abilities and reach new heights in their musical development. He describes the experience:

“This experience has been very important to me because as a seven year old in CBS Westland Row I got the chance to take up music and it changed my life. So to be involved with Music Generation Wicklow and these wonderful young people at the beginning of their music education is wonderful. To experience their enthusiasm, their sense of fun in learning, their kindnesses, their beautiful smiles and laughs, and to see how they have grown musically through the process has been inspiring. The music itself, in 11 movements is inspired by the beauty and heritage of Wicklow and my own life long experiences of the Garden of Ireland."

The Wicklow Ways is one of four new music works commissioned by Wicklow County Council and produced by the Contemporary Music Centre under the Per Cent for Art Scheme on behalf of Music Generation Wicklow. These commissions have involved some 300 children and young people between the ages of 6 and 16 across County Wicklow.

More information on the project is available from newnotesnow.tumblr.com.

The Wicklow Ways
A musical suite for Orchestra and Soloists featuring pupils from:
Scoil Chaoimhin Naofa, Gleann da Loch, Co. Chill Mhantain
St Laurences National School, Kindlestown, Greystones, Co. Wicklow
Lacken National School, Blessington, Co.Wicklow
St Cronans National School, Vevay Road, Bray, Co.Wicklow

with musicians

Eamon Sweeney (Classical Guitar, ukulele, Bass Guitar)
Aisling Seery (recorders)
Sinead Finegan (violin)
Terry Clancy (Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, recorder)
Rama Block (percussion)
James Dunne (percussion)
Svetlana Rudenko (piano).

Conductor and composer Vincent Kennedy

Tickets: €12 (Family of 4 tickets) €6 (Single ticket)
Booking T: 01 2724030 www.mermaidartscentre.ie
It is advisable to book early as seating is finite and there are many children and families involved.