Cross Border Orchestra’s USA trip

FEBRUARY 2004

THE full houses and rapturous applause which greet the Cross-Border Orchestra’s ‘Rhythm of Life’ concerts in Dundalk Institute of Technology is music to the ears of all those who work so hard to make it a memorable occasion.

And memorable it certainly is as the young musicians are joined by 400 pupils from eleven local primary schools and guest performers Emmanuel Lawler, tenor, and Uileann piper Patrick Martin, for an enthralling performance under the baton of conductor Gearóid Grant.

The concerts are billed as farewell performances before the orchestra departs for a concert tour of California on 13 February, and the programme reflects this pending trip, with the music having a distinctive Irish/American flavour.

The tour already generates huge publicity in the Golden State. ABC television will record and broadcast features on the orchestra from its arrival through to seven sell-out concerts at prestigious venues in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose and Monterey.

Eight choirs from throughout California will perform with the orchestra at various venues.