Premiere work from Julianstown Youth Orchestra

This weekend, the senior members of the Julianstown Youth Orchestra will premiere a new work which has been written by 10 members under the mentorship of composer Brian Irvine. Named Gesamtkunstwerk, which means 'together art work', the one-hour piece is made up of 10 movements linked together by scenes that are comical, thought provoking or poignant.
The project is led by JYO music director Fergus Sheil in collaboration with Irvine, director John McIlduff, choreographer Jessica Kennedy, designer Sarah Jane Shiels, costume director Clodagh Deegan and the four members of RTÉ Con Tempo String Quartet. Over the past six months, the players have been busy composing and learning these pieces as well as preparing vocal, theatrical and dance elements to complement the music. Unlike other performances or productions by this orchestra, the creation and execution of the piece is musician and performer led and therefore without a conductor, allowing the players creative freedom to unleash their own artistic voices.
Since its creation in 2011, the Julianstown Youth Orchestra has grown both in its membership but more importantly, its ambitions. Founded by musicians, Fergus and Maria Sheil, the JYO’s mission is to nurture and encourage young musicians whilst providing an enjoyable and sociable outlet. To date, they have performed in venues including the National Concert Hall, Convention Centre Dublin, Solstice Arts Centre and Barbican Centre Drogheda. They have taken part in projects with both the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestras and performed with international celebrity violinist Tasmin Little.
The performance of Gesamtkunstwerk will take place on Sunday 5th March at 4pm in Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. The concert forms part of the Arts Centre’s 10th anniversary and will be one of ten special events that represent the scale and diversity of the Solstice Arts Centre’s programme.