Welcome to iayo.ie
The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras is the all-Ireland resource organisation for youth orchestras in Ireland.
Summer Practice Clubs
Starting on Saturday, 19 June, IAYO will be hosting weekly, free, online Practice Clubs throughout the summer hosted by some of Ireland’s top musicians. Each session will take place on Saturdays, from 11.30am – 1pm. The Practice Clubs are open to musicians of all ages!
During these sessions, musicians will hear from professional musicians on how they like to practice and there will be dedicated time for attendees to practice their own instruments.
Youth Orchestra Day of Celebration | Feature Film
On Sunday, 9 May 2021, we held an online, Youth Orchestra Day of Celebration, where we celebrated the incredible work of youth orchestras and ensembles that has continued over the past year in keeping the music going with two brilliant online events!
At 3pm, to launch the proceedings, we streamed a newly created film of youth orchestras and young musicians alike, performing at home and in-person (but socially-distanced), throughout Ireland over the past twelve months. The finale of this video was the premiere of the specially commissioned Hope Springs Eternal composed by Vincent Kennedy featuring more than 250 musicians from across the country who recorded themselves at home for inclusion in this project.
Keeping Orchestras Engaged Peer-Sharing Session | Thursday, 4 February
On Thursday, 4 February 2021, we hosted a peer-sharing session on keeping orchestras engaged over Zoom.
We heard from Paula Klein of Ulster Youth Orchestra, Joanna Crooks from St Agnes’ Community Centre for Music and the Arts in Dublin, Sinéad Hayes from Athenry Music School Sinfonietta and Sophie Butler from ConCorda Chamber Music Course for Strings – all of whom have had very successful online engagement this year.
Watch the video and click the link for the podcast and further resources.
Covid-19 Resources
We have developed a webpage to help youth orchestras and other youth and amateur ensembles begin in-person rehearsals in the coming months.
It will contain up-to-date information on protocols and restrictions and links to relevant documents and resources. This is a working document and will be updated regularly.
Video: Online Workshop on Delivering Online Orchestra and Performance Models
On Thursday, 13 August 2020, Katharine Mac Mághnuis of Athenry Music School delivered an online workshop on delivering online orchestra and performance models – strategy, problems and possible solutions.
You can watch the video “delivering online orchestra and performance models – strategy, problems and possible solutions” above.
Online workshop | There’s so Much More to Zoom! | Thursday, 13 May
On Thursday, 13 May 2021 we hosted an interactive, online workshop There is so much more to Zoom! with Clíodhna Ní Aodáin – an interactive workshop for conductors of orchestras and ensembles and music teachers to showcase the possibilities that Zoom presents. You can watch a video of the workshop below.
Online Workshop on Jamulus with Caitlin Kelly | Videos & Resources
On Thursday, 15 April 2021, we hosted an online workshop, led by Caitlin Kelly on the online, real-time audio rehearsal software Jamulus.
During the workshop, Caitlin covered a range of topics including what Jamulus is, how to use it, how to set it up, etc. She also discussed what equipment is needed, the basics of how to get the server set up, where to install the software from and how to get it working on both Mac and Windows, how to connect to the servers, and the use of Asio4All.
We have created a webpage with a recording of the webinar, resources that Caitlin has created, and links to many elements that were mentioned and discussed.
IAYO’s 2020 | Zooming in on the Music
Here at the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, amidst the strangeness of 2020, we still had an enjoyable and musically productive year which would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the young musicians, tutors, volunteers and family! This video represents a snapshot of all the hard work and dedication of those involved across our programmes this year.
We hope you enjoy looking back on our 2020 video ‘Zooming in on the Music’ and please feel free to share!
Online and Internet Teaching Resources
As our members have had to close their doors to teaching lessons in a classroom setting, we have seen a number of them creating online teaching programmes and conducting their lessons via online platforms such as Skype and Zoom (which is free for unlimited one-on-one meetings / lessons).
We think this is a wonderful idea and we wanted to provide a few resources for anyone who is thinking of starting online lessons, but would like a little bit more information.
Be a Friend of IAYO!
Celebrate Ireland’s youth orchestras and help to give young musicians from all over Ireland the opportunity of a lifetime to perform at the Festival of Youth Orchestras at the National Concert Hall.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Youth Orchestras, IAYO launched a Friends scheme – an opportunity for everyone who is passionate about Ireland’s youth orchestras and the Festival to support us and the amazing work of our members.
Office Closed to Visitors due to Covid-19
Just a note to let you know that, in line with the government advice, the IAYO office will be closed to visitors until 20th April. We all plan to keep working away from various locations so the office mobile (086 0570062) will continue to be answered during office hours and we are all available on email as per usual. Our post is being held with An Post and we will receive it all once we re-open.
Wishing you all the best for the coming weeks and hoping that our collective action manages to contain the spread of the virus.
