Home News Community Preparations continue as organisations gear up for free Laois community concert

Preparations continue as organisations gear up for free Laois community concert

MGL_Ukrainian choir practice 02
Picture: Alf Harvey.

A new Inter-generational Ukrainian Choir – ‘Mallows’ – commenced in January under the Ukrainian Health and Well Being Support fund by Laois County Council.

Co-ordinated and facilitated by Music Generation Laois, the choir are meeting twice-weekly in Laois Music Centre under the direction of Nataliia Rehesha.

She is a choral director from Kyiv who has been living with her family in Laois since March 2022.

The choir has brought about a new network of Ukrainians living in Laois, creating a space for them to support each other and express their rich culture in singing traditional Ukrainian songs.

The formation of the choir sparked an idea to have a Community Concert with groups who work with Music Generation Laois throughout the year in various programmes across the county.

The Concert takes place on Friday March 31 at 5pm in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise.

Taking part are Mallows Ukrainian Choir; The Heath NS Children’s Choir – MGL Whole Classroom Singing Programme; Children from Laois Partnership After-Schools Programmes; Uilleann Pipes Quartet – MGL Trad Programme; MGL Transition Year Music Ensemble; Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Rathdowney Men’s Sheds – MGL/Healthy Ireland Programme.

This concert promises to be a fantastic community event, bringing together a diverse range of musical genres and performers. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

This is supported by Healthy Ireland/Department of Health, Laois County Council, Laois Offaly Education and Training Board Further Education and Training Centre and Local Creative Youth Partnership, Laois Partnership/CYPSE, Music Generation.

Choral Director Nataliia Rehesha working with the Mallows Ukrainian Choir at rehearsal in the Laois Music Centre for the Music Generation Laois Community Concert to be held in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on the 31st March at 5pm.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
The Mallows Ukrainian Choir at rehearsal in the Laois Music Centre for the Music Generation Laois Community Concert to be held in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on the 31st March at 5pm.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Choral Director Nataliia Rehesha working with the Mallows Ukrainian Choir at rehearsal in the Laois Music Centre for the Music Generation Laois Community Concert to be held in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on the 31st March at 5pm.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
Choral Director Nataliia Rehesha working with the Mallows Ukrainian Choir at rehearsal in the Laois Music Centre for the Music Generation Laois Community Concert to be held in St. Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on the 31st March at 5pm.
Picture: Alf Harvey.

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