Schools prepare for peace proms

UP TO 2,000 schoolchildren from all over Co Galway arrived in Leisureland, Salthill one Friday recently for a choral workshop in preparation for their performance in the Galway Peace Proms with the internationally acclaimed Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. The workshop was directed by top national conductor Gearóid Grant and Choreographer James Devine who holds a Guinness Book of Records title as the world's fastest tap-dancer.  [private] School choirs have been preparing for the Peace Proms with their teachers since September. It was evident that a huge amount of work had been done as the choirs were outstanding. Last year's Peace Proms concerts in Galway was a huge success, but this year's concerts promise to be even better. The Peace Proms phenomenon has been developed by the directors of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) over the past 17 years. The programme now involves over 7,000 children from all over Ireland. Peace Proms is a unique and very special music education programme which gives young people the opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra at some of the country's top venues, and work with some of the Ireland's leading professional musicians and conductors. Galway Peace Proms will take place in the Kingfisher Hall, NUI Galway on February 4 and 5. The orchestra and choirs will be led by Ireland's conductor Maestro Gearóid Grant. The concerts will feature tenor Emmanuel Lawler, renowned uilleann piper Patrick Martin, outstanding violinist Patricia Treacy in addition to drum and piping corps. The programme is packed full of family favourites and showstoppers as well as powerful anthems from the Ulster Scots and Irish traditions. The unique and magical sound of the CBOI is the best imaginable way to introduce young people to music. Galway Peace Proms promises to be a most magical and memorable musical experience. Tickets for the Galway Peace Proms can be purchased from the Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Courthouse Square Galway. You can call in, book through their website www.tht.ie or phone: 091 569777. [/private]