Goitse and Beoga to help fulfil music promise

The Children’s Music Promise was initially billed by the Culture Company as a free musical instrument and tuition for every child in Londonderry but has since been scaled back to a year-long programme of inspirational and transformational learning experiences for children and young people.

Utilising UK City of Culture 2013 Music Promise funding the student society has organised a packed programme including workshops with Goitse, followed by a gig featuring Beoga and Goitse together in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin at 7.30pm.

Beoga are based in County Antrim. The band was drawn together in 2002 after ‘jamming’ in a ferocious session at the All-Ireland Fleadh.

Their unique sound featured the twin dueling accordions of Damian McKee and multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and four times All-Ireland bodhrán champion Eamon Murray.

In 2005, the lineup was complete, with the addition of Niamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, on vocals and fiddle.

In 2004, Beoga’s ground-breaking debut album ‘a lovely madness’, earned international critical acclaim. They have since released 3 more albums ‘Mischief’, ‘The Incident’ and most recently in 2011 with ‘How To Tune A Fish’.

With their unique blend of inventive arrangements, virtuosi instrumental talents and beautiful vocals, Beoga’s popularity continues to flourish as they captivate audiences on a global scale.

Goitse forged in the white-hot creative crucible of Limerick University’s Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, the quintet have graduated with a musical maturity worthy of the greatest.

They have made a name for themselves as one of the most sought after bands amongst connoisseurs of Irish Traditional music, having won feverish critical plaudits for their Dónal Lunny-produced second album Transformed.

Their distinctive sound lies in the quality of their own compositions interspersed with well-known traditional tunes, which make each set entertaining and unique.

The gripping rhythm section sets a breath-taking pace for the music while through the sweet, charismatic voice of Áine McGeeney draw audiences into the music in a way very few performers can achieve. Lace up your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of wonderful music and fast paced fun with Goitse.

Masterclasses in Fiddle (Aine McGeeney), Guitar (Conal O’Kane), Bodhran (Colm Phelan) and Piano (Tadhg O Mheachair) will take place in the Foyle Arts building at University of Ulster Magee starting at 3pm-5.30pm.

The workshops are FREE of charge thanks to the help of funding from ‘The Music Promise’ but must be booked before hand by emailing [email protected].

The Grande Finale concert will then take place with doors opening at 7.30pm.

‘An Ré Nua’ competition being run by An Cultúrlann will start off the proceedings and this will be followed by performances by members of UU Trad Soc (with help of ‘The Music Promise’ funding), Goitse and Beoga will see everyone through to the small hours. If that isn’t enough there will be a Trad disco to finish with everyone on their feet!