The new community building that is Music West is now open to the public, with safe, socially distanced facilities available for music teaching, room hire, orchestra and band rehearsal, group and one-to-one classes.
The location is Unit 19, Castlebar Retail Park, Breaffy Road, Castlebar.
Music West, which is made up of Mayo Concert Orchestra, Mayo Youth Orchestra, Castlebar Concert and Marching Band, Castlebar Training Band and the Music West Teaching School, has officially moved into its new headquarters.
Music West is now taking bookings from students, teachers, members of bands and orchestras, singers, performers in the arts, drama and creatives.
The state-of-the-art building, long campaigned for and brought to fruition by the Mayo Academy of Performing Arts steering group, includes nine acoustically optimised teaching rooms, music store-rooms, reception area with printing, scanning, laminator services, kitchen and public utilities as well as a huge rehearsal hall that can safely accommodate 45 people, while social distancing.
Music West is now reaching out to everyone to come along and make use of the facilities in this new community building; rooms are available to rent at a subsidised, affordable rent for all in order to support people in their various arts and teaching practices, while promoting the teaching of music and arts to young and old.
Rooms are also open to anyone needing some time in a quiet meeting room or modern workspace.
Interest in the new Music West facility is already growing with numerous educational, arts and creative bodies looking to rent rooms, while in the long-run, Music West aims to operate on a round-the-clock basis so that students and teachers can learn and practise their art at a time that suits all.
As it stands, a number of time-slots are already block-booked in the large and spacious rehearsal hall, with Music West Saturday music lessons for children, which were previously held in St Patrick’s Boys’ National School, now resuming in the new Music West home (for queries please email [email protected] ).
Castlebar Concert Band is planning its new Autumn term weekly rehearsals on Tuesday evenings while Mayo Youth Orchestra and Mayo Concert Orchestra are also set to resume rehearsals, divided over a number of sessions to accommodate all members, in line with social distancing requirements.
The facility will also be the new home of the Mayo Male Voice Choir.
The recently established Connaught Quartet is perfecting its repertoire at the facility while Music West is delighted to welcome some additional well known names in the arts who are now availing of the teaching rooms.
With fundraising initiatives curtailed this year due to Covid-19, Music West is also appealing to anyone who would like to donate towards the running and upkeep of the facility to please get in touch.
If you would like to donate towards Music West you can fund a chair for €50, donate to fit out a classroom for €100, €250 towards a piano, or simply donate any amount you can - every little helps.
To learn more about the facilities or to book a room or rehearsal space at Music West, please call John on (087 ) 2472297 or email [email protected]
Also, see the Castlebar Concert Band, Mayo Youth Orchestra and Mayo Concert Orchestra Facebook pages for further details.
Each group is now open to new members/students for the new 2020-2021 season.
