Ground Control To Major Minors

Open to all kids of primary school age, the orchestra members cover Greystones, Bray, Shankill and Rathmichael.

And right now, the Major Minors and conductor Michelle LeMay are looking for new members.

Here’s the lowdown…

Playing in an orchestra is a fantastic opportunity for children. We know that learning an instrument can be a singular experience – usually a one-on-one lesson each week, followed by solo practice. 

Pic: John Soffe

However, being part of a group allows them both the fun of playing with others and nurtures the skills needed to play a piece of music in time and in tune with other members while also keeping an eye on the conductor.

We play a varied repertoire from Vivaldi to Wellerman and have an exciting range of instruments in our group including cellos, violins, clarinets, saxophone, percussion and recorders. We rehearse Thursdays from 4.30 to 5.30pm in North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School in Bray and usually perform two concerts yearly.

In the past we have played in many different venues including our debut in the National Concert Hall in Dublin earlier this year as part of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestra’s annual Festival of Youth Orchestras, The Mermaid Theatre in Bray, Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire and Belmont in Greystones. We even went ‘on tour’ to participate in an orchestra festival in Charleville, Co. Cork. We previously won First Prize in the Kilcoole Feis in the Under 17 orchestra section.  

MMJO are always keen to welcome new members and have a wide range of abilities among our group from those who have just started to read music, right up to grade 5 or 6. Please get in touch if you have a child who plays a string or woodwind instrument including recorders. We are friendly and inclusive and like to make music fun!