Harp Ensemble
National Harp Day, Dundalk 2019
MGL Harp Ensemble
A fortnightly gathering of young harpers at the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol and DkIT to play a mix of traditional and contemporary tunes under the leadership of our tutor Deirdre Ni Bhuachalla. Currently there are Junior and Senior Harp Ensemble which are divided based on age and/or experience. They join together for some rehearsals and performances.
The Senior Ensemble delighted in performing for Vice President (now president) of USA, Joe Biden and Ambassador Kevin F. O’Malley at the ambassador’s residence in 2017. They have also performed at several festivals including annually at An Chúirt Chruitireachta, Cairde na Cruite’s International Harp Festival in Termonfechin and Féile na Tána in Carlingford.
Members of the Senior Hsrp Ensemble with Vice-President of USA Joe Biden in 2017
More recently the Senior ensemble performed at the Bloom of Youth Concert and Live on Fleadh TV on TG4 at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 in Drogheda, and supported Garadice at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2019. Members of the ensemble performed live on the Ray Darcy Show on RTÉ television in November 2018 with harpers from all over Ireland for National Harp Day. The ensemble also represented Cairde na Cruite on the National Lottery Good Causes Awards on TV3 in 2018.
Members post performance at the Cairde na Cruite International Harp Festival, An Grianán 2019
What is up Next?
Our Senior ensemble are currently working on a collaborative commission with harper/composer Michael Rooney, along with harpers from Music Generation Laois and Mayo. This commission was due to be premiered at the World Harp Congress in Cardiff and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2020 however, both of these performances have been postponed to the Summer of 2022.
Junior Harp Ensemble
The MGL Junior Harp Ensemble is aimed at members learning for a minimum of 2 years who are pro-active in their learning and looking to meet other young harpers from the county. The junior ensemble acts as a stepping stone towards MGL Senior Harp Ensemble membership. You can complete our expression of interest form HERE if you are interested in joining.
About Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla (Ensemble Director)
Deirdre is an experienced professional harpist and music educator based in Dundalk, Co.Louth, Ireland. She has been teaching Irish harp and associated musicianship both privately and in schools on a part-time basis since 1998. At the age of 7, she began her harp studies with Siobhán Ní Dhúill in Gaelscoil na Cille, Ashbourne, Co.Meath. She furthered her studies under the expertise of Nancy Calthorpe, Evelyn Hearns and Denise Kelly Mc Donnell at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, in Dublin (now TU Dublin). She was a members of the first DIT Harp Ensemble under the direction of Denise Kelly McDonnell.
Deirdre is a member of the resource team at Music Generation Louth (LMETB). Along with teaching Irish Harp, she is a tutor, arranger and project manager of Nós Nua – Louth Youth Folk Orchestra. She is Vice Chairperson of her local branch (Craobh Dhún Dealgan) of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann where she teaches traditional Irish Music on Harp, and has tutored a multi-award winning Traditional Ensemble group since 2009.
She has performed across Europe including two consecutive years at the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, Brittany. She had the priviledge of playing on numerous occasions in Áras an Uachtarán (Residence of the President of Ireland) during the first term of office of President McAleese, on behalf of DIT Conservatory of Music and as a representative of Feis Ceoil. She performs regularly with resident musicians at Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol with whom she performed for President Michael D Higgins at the official opening of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2019.
Live on Fleadh TV 2018
REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2020/2021
Details coming soon.
FEES
Annual membership fees = €100 Fees are due in two installments at the start of Term 1 (Autumn/Winter) and at the beginning of term 2 Spring/Summer. Please note we can no longer accept payment by cash/cheque. Payment must be made via our PAY ONLINE link or over the phone by calling 042 9364635 during office hours.