This event is open to anyone interested in exploring music, from young children to young adults to silver surfers. The workshop promises to be fun, interactive and provide an interesting insight to the brass world of music. Musical instruments will also be available to anyone considering taking up a brass instrument.
The evening will provide an introduction to the world of brass with strong emphasis on enjoyment and active music-making. The workshop will be led by Anthony Flannery, a faculty instructor with Music Generation Laois and special guest Niall O'Sullivan, an internationally-acclaimed Irish trumpeter.

Niall O’Sullivan is a cross-genre trumpet star who started his musical career in the Artane Boys Band, Dublin. Niall has sold out venues across Ireland and the USA, and most recently performed as a guest artist for Josh Groban’s Irish tour.
He has performed on numerous occasions with the RTÉ National Symphony and Concert Orchestra’s, and featured as a soloist for ‘Sunday Miscellany Live at Christmas’ where his rendition of Damian Rice’s ‘The Blower’s Daughter’ could be heard in homes throughout Ireland on Christmas morning.

Niall has also performed with some of the biggest names in music including Amy Winehouse, Michael Búble, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, José Carreras and has recorded with multi Grammy winning legend Larry Carlton, Danielle de Niese and Kim Criswell. He is also an international performing artist for Schilke Trumpets, Chicago.

Music Generation Laois tutor, Anthony Flannery said: “We are delighted to run this inaugural ‘Brass Evening’ and hope to introduce people to the world of brass. This event will be interactive and brass instrumentals will be available to all participants. I would encourage anyone interested to register their interest now and partake in what will be a fantastic event.”
The evening will culminate with performances by The Laois Brass Ensemble, student performances and special guest, Niall O'Sullivan.
The workshop is now open for registration. Remember, this event is open to all. Please contact Anthony to register your interest or if you have any queries.
Below is a proposed schedule for ‘Brass Evening’ with Anthony Flannery and Niall O'Sullivan – (but please note the below running order may be altered)
17.00-17.30
Introductions from Anthony Flannery and Niall O’Sullivan
Topics include:
· Group warm-up
· The importance of warming up, breathing and practicing
· The fundamentals of brass playing, both solo and in an ensemble
17.30-18.45
· Open masterclass
19.00-19.45
· The Laois Brass Ensemble
8.00pm
· Brass Concert -performances by the Laois Brass Ensemble, student performances and special guest, Niall O'Sullivan in The Laois School of Music, Portlaoise
For information and registration queries contact Anthony Flannery by email on [email protected]
Music Generation Laois is a performance music education programme for children and young people in County Laois. Music Generation Laois is based in the Arts Office, Laois County Council, and delivers engaging music programmes in schools and centres, across 8 programme strands: Choral, Uilleann Pipes, Orchestral, Harp, Brass, Stampede (World) Drumming, The Music Box – a Music Programme for children and young people with special needs, and a School of Rock and Pop.
Since it was established in 2012, Music Generation Laois has invested over €75,000 in an instrument bank and in 2014 over 1500 children and young people participated in the programme. Young people have access to weekly tuition and instruments at subsidised costs, augmented by once- off workshops, masterclasses, concert attendance and performances.
Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation – Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds together with, The Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships.
Locally, Music Generation Laois is managed by Laois Music Education Partnership and funded by Laois County Council, Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board and Laois Partnership Company.