News
Local musicians launch traditional Irish music orchestra

By Sean Moriarty
Two Killarney musicians are behind a new project to create a traditional Irish music orchestra in Kerry.
Conor Moriarty from Kilcummin, graduated with a masters in traditional Irish music performance from the University of Limerick. He is a former All-Ireland champion at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on melodeon in 2009 and on button accordion the following year.
He and fellow UL graduate Seán Kelliher from Fossa, are behind a plan to create the orchestra. They will begin a 15-week rehearsal programme at Siamsa Tíre in Tralee on September 4 and they are calling on young musicians to get in touch with them.
“Kingdom Trad Orchestra is a new initiative to get musicians from Kerry and the surrounding areas to come together and perform as an orchestral ensemble. The orchestra will focus on arrangement within traditional Irish music along with new compositions, with the aim of bringing the orchestra to perform in a state-of-the-art theatre at the end of the term,” Conor explained to the Killarney Advertiser.
Starting on September 4, they will run a two-hour class in Tralee, one each for U12s from 10am to 12pm and a Youth Orchestra from 1pm to 3pm.
Interested applicants should send a two-minute video or audio clip to kingdomtradorchestra@gmail.com or via WhatsApp to 087 969 8063.