Galway’s youth orchestras unite for unique RTÉ broadcast

Two youth orchestras based in Galway charmed the nation and the Irish Diaspora with their very special collaborative performance, broadcast on Wednesday on RTÉ One television, as part of the St Patrick's Festival Celebration. The collaboration between Symphonic Waves and Galway Traditional Orchestra was one of a select few, chosen by the St. Patrick’s Festival, to be included in a celebratory broadcast for the prime time TV slot. The two orchestras performed an original composition entitled the Magic Carpet by Eric Cunningham, co-arranged for orchestra by Ita Geraghty and Cian Boylan. They were also joined by Galway dancer, Daniela Goluba (17), from the Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy. Symphonic Waves and Galway Traditional Orchestra, facilitated by St. Patrick’s Festival, filmed their performance in advance at Furbo Beach, under strict Covid-19 directives and supervision. Covid-19 restrictions have meant that the two Galway-based youth orchestras, similar to all others locally and nationally, have not been able to rehearse or perform in public for more than a year now, so this first-time collaboration is unique in many ways. Given the restrictions on numbers for the live recording, a virtual performance of the same composition, filmed from home by 86 members representing both orchestras, will be broadcast online separately on March 20. This virtual concert will also feature the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Anúna, the Ulster Youth Orchestra, stars of Lord of the Dance & Riverdance and vocalist Sibéal amongst others. The performance can be viewed on March 20th on Youtube or Facebook Live at 8pm at linktr.ee/citizensofsong Symphonic Waves Youth Orchestra is presented by Music Generation Galway County, Galway 2020, in partnership with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB), Galway City Council and Galway County Council. Music Generation Galway County is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme which transforms the lives of children and young people through access to high-quality, subsidised performance music education.