Young Laois musicians take to centre stage at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

Two talented young Laois musicians recently took centre stage at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre with renowned percussionist Alex Petcu.

Aibhlínn Doheny (17) and Liam Cunningham (13) travelled from Portlaoise last Tuesday morning, September 4, to take part in a photocall to mark the announcement of the 27th annual Allianz Business to Arts Awards.

They were accompanied on their trip to Dublin by their tutors, Ros O’Meara and Denise Boyle.

Both Aibhlínn and Liam are young musicians and participants with Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music, with whom they play percussion among other instruments.

Meeting their idols

After the photocall, which took place on the theatre’s main stage, the pair had an opportunity to learn some tricks of the trade at a workshop with internationally renowned Irish percussionist Alex Petcu, who performed during the awards ceremony later that evening.

That same night in Portlaoise, Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music hosted an open evening for new and returning young musicians at their brand new home, Laois Music Centre – formerly Scoil Mhuire on Church Avenue.

The Allianz Business to Arts Awards recognise and celebrate imaginative, innovative and effective partnerships between businesses and the arts.

This year, Music Generation, in partnership with U2 and The Ireland Funds and with support from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, was announced as winner of the Award for ‘Best Long Term Partnership’.

The Award was presented by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan TD before an audience of some 600 leaders from across the arts, cultural and business sectors.