Grúpa Cheoil Auditions 2023
Grúpa Cheoil Details 2023
It’s Grúpa Cheoil time again. We’re looking forward to getting children back together playing music in groups. In Grúpa Cheoil, 20children can become involved in each group, so it allows a large number of children to learn & play music together.
Key dates:
1. We hope to start weekly rehearsals on Sunday 29th Jan (approx. 5pm).
2. Rehearsals will continue on Sunday evenings from Sun 29th Jan in Summerhill College, College.
3. Audition clips should be returned by email before Wed 18th Jan
Grúpa Cheoil is similar to orchestra and offers children an opportunity to learn music in a group, play music together in anenjoyable, fun way. Children should be playing music for a minimum of two years before auditioning for Grúpa Cheoil and need to have a medium sized repertoire of tunes they are proficient in and know off by heart.
Details on Emailing Audio Clips for Auditioning-Those interested in auditioning for this year’s Grúpa Cheoil can audition by sendingan audio clip to grupacheoilsligo@gmail.com.Please email your child’s audio clip, with their name included before the closing date,which is Wed 18th January.
AUDITION Requirements
Under 12’s: Should play a polka or a jig, without using notes on an instrument.
12-15 players and 15-18 players should send a recording of a reel if possible.
The selection process is based primarily on performance at audition and optimum range/combination of instruments.Children should audition on an instrument other than a tin-whistle if possible & should be playing competently on that instrument.
Grúpa Cheoil is not suitable for beginners, or those playing basic tunes. Fundamentals like tuning, repertoire and rhythm need to be mastered before considering auditioning for Grúpa Cheoil. Generally, children need to be playing music for 2 or 3 years to be ready to participate in Grúpa Cheoil.
It is a requirement that Grúpa Cheoil members are members of CCÉ
Details Regarding Rehearsals:
Rehearsals will be on Sunday evenings. The venue will be Summerhill College, like last year’s Grupa Cheoil rehearsals, commencing late January
Following audition, Enrolment for all Grúpa Cheoil’s must be completed online before the first practice. All successful participants must register before this date. (A fee of €60 will apply)
You must be willing to commit to approx. 12/13 practices before County Fleadh. Full attendance is required for all age levels. Of course,on occasion a child can’t make a practice and we understand this fully. You need to arrive on time for each practice, with your tunes learned. (Practices will start approx. 5:30 each evening)
We don’t have practices during February mid-term break or Easter Holidays
.You need to be available on the following dates:
■ The Sligo County Fleadh 1 - 2nd-4th June
■ Connacht Fleadh in Ballina – Weekend of July 1st & 2nd
■ All Ireland Fleadh in Mullingar if Grúpa Cheoil qualifies – Weekend of Aug 12th & 13th
Children can audition in their own age group only. In exceptional circumstances and based only on Grúpa Cheoil requirements a childmay be placed in a Grúpa Cheoil above their age category. This is entirely at the discretion of the grupa cheoil tutor team.
• If there is over subscription in any age group, places will be offered to 20 musicians based firstly on the musical requirements of the group.
Kind regards,
Michael Rooney & June McCormack