Breffni Trad Orchestra receives funding from the European Union

The members of the recently formed Breffni Trad Orchestra were delighted to hear that they had been successful in their application to host an orchestra from Germany and in turn to visit them in their own country. The venture is being funded by the Erasmus + Youth Mobility Grant and the Cavan Town Branch CCÉ Committee are, with the help of Leargas (The National Exchange Bureau), working hard to ensure it will be a resounding  success.

The project is entitled S.K.I.L.L. (St Killian Inspires Lifelong Learning) and is based on the travels of St Killian who was born in Mullagh, Cavan and lived in Wurtzburg in Germany.

It is the aim of the project that the young people will learn about each other’s culture, music, dance and language. They will also take part in activities such as Youthpass – a certification model which charts their learning and can be added to their curriculum vitae.

Most importantly of all, they will have a wonderful time and create friendships and memories which will last for years to come.

Breffni Trad Orchestra (mostly just called Breffni Trad) is a group of dedicated and talented musicians from Cavan Town Branch CCÉ between the ages of 14 and 23. Under the expert guidance of Seamus Tierney the group recently wowed a capacity audience in The Townhall Cavan.

JBO or the Jugend Blas Orchester ( Youth Brass Orchestra) from Kurnach is directed by Bettina Plitzner. They range in age from 14 to 23 and they have been playing together for many years.

At the moment Cavan Town CCÉ are preparing for the arrival of the Jugend Blas Orchester from Kurnach Germany on the first weekend of June. A week of activities are planned for the visitors and one of their first performances will be at the County Fleadh in Belturbet. They will perform on the Gig Rig in Belturbet at 5 30 on Saturday 3rd June. JBO and Breffni Trad will each play for 20 minutes  and then both groups will perform together. Both Orchestras have been  learning a tune from the repertoire of the other and for two tunes they will play as a combined orchestra. This will make a group of 66 musicians, 33 in each orchestra.

In return the Breffni Trad Orchestra will travel to Wurtzburg and Kurnach in late October and will perform with the JBO at venues in the region.

Recently the members of Breffni Trad Orchestra received a set of specially designed tops kindly sponsored by Michael Hanly and The Cavan Crystal Hotel. Cavan Town Branch CCÉ would like to thank Michael and his team most sincerely for sponsoring the tops.