String players from Maynooth Orchestra will be involved in the 1st Songfest organised by Music Generation Offaly Westmeath on the 9th, 10th and 11th of June, 2016 in Athlone IT. This is a collaboration between MGOW and the Association of Irish Choirs under the guidance of Greg Beardsell (Irish Youth Choir Artistic Director) involving 1,000 children over 3 days of singing. It is funded under the Music Generation/ Arts Council partnership and by Offaly/ Westmeath Music Education Partnership.
On the 3rd day of singing (11th June) there will be a Gala Concert at 4pm with 3 new 'scratch' children's choirs (80 children aged from 7 - 18) performing 3 movements from the Vivaldi ‘Gloria’ accompanied by a string ensemble, including students from the Music Department at Maynooth University.