A celebratory concert and reception to mark the opening of the Laois School of Music will take place in the Dunamaise Theatre, Portlaoise, next Monday at 8 p.m.
The concert will be hosted by Laois County Council and officially opened by Prof M∅cheβl ╙ Suilleabhβin, director of the Irish World Music Centre in Limerick.
The new school of music is a council initiative to enhance and develop musical activity and education in Co Laois. The project was initiated by arts officer Ms Muireann N∅ Chonaill and the development co-ordinator is Mr Donal Hennessy. The school is being funded by the county council and the Arts Council - with assistance from Laois VEC.
Music education and development is identified as one of a number of priority areas to be addressed in the next few years in the forthcoming publication, Laois Arts Plan 2001-2003, compiled by the arts office of the county council, according to Ms N∅ Chonaill.
The school of music officially opened at the beginning of this month. Already, 280 students have enrolled. Areas to be developed by the school include tuition for both young and old, at all levels, as well as a broad spectrum of instrumental training.
Tuition in kindermusic (music training for young children) is also available.
The school is to introduce an outreach programme to service primary and post-primary schools throughout the county. Its teachers will visit the schools countywide and build up music skills, according to Ms N∅ Chonaill. "We aim to develop a county orchestra and county choir from students emerging from the school," she said.