Headford orchestra makes National Concert Hall debut

MUSICAL talent has been an intrinsic element of the very fabric of Headford life for generations, so it is no surprise that the next wave of talent is representing the town at a national level, and with distinction.

Headford Youth Orchestra comprises 35 young musicians under the stewardship of Matthew Berrill and Sorcha Walsh. Featuring a range of instruments including violin, cello, flute, bassoon, saxophone and trombone, the orchestra has been making great strides on the local music scene in recent years.

However, its collaboration with an orchestra over in Wicklow has delivered the prestigious prize of a performance at the National Concert Hall earlier this year, where the collective East Meets West Ensemble took to the stage at the 19th Festival of Youth Orchestras.

The combined talent of both orchestras has delivered a unique experience for the young musicians who meet up twice a year, to collaborate on composition as well as performance.

Their recent debut at the NCH involved a piece especially composed by one of the Headford musicians, violinist Nicole Hannon, whose Ross Abbey piece was inspired by the friary near the town.

'We have 35 members aged from nine to 18 and we’re very lucky with the number of talented young musicians in the area,' said Matthew.

Read the feature in this week's Herald Living section.