On Tuesday 6 September we will be hosting a fundraiser at the fabulous Halle St Peters in Manchester. Headlining our event will be saxophonist and AYM Patron Jess Gillam. She will be joined on the bill by talented young performers currently supported by our Awards programme.
In the build-up to the event we will be introducing you to all of the musicians to give you a flavour of this eclectic evening. First up are The McGuires, made up of multi-instrumentalists and siblings Maisieanne, Shia, Shenara and Ramona.
The McGuire family’s roots are firmly placed in Ancoats, just around the corner from Halle St. Peter’s! All the children were taught traditional Irish music by their mother JeanLouise, herself a musician.
“It’s so special doing this concert at Halle St. Peter’s and we’re most looking forward to performing Dean Martin’s Volare, with Shia taking lead on clarinet! We’re also really looking forward to seeing Jess Gillam play – she’s amazing!”
The McGuires
Maisieanne (19) started on the tin whistle and now plays Uilleann pipes, banjo and composes lots of tunes – recently recording them in this venue!
Shenara (16) plays fiddle, concertina, piano and sings. She’s a member of Hope Mill Theatre School in Ancoat’s and plays with the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Ramona (15) began on the diatonic button accordion, going on to learn Celtic harp and the bodhran. She loves to Irish dance along with Shia, who performed at The World Irish Dancing Championships in Belfast this year.
Shia (11) plays clarinet, accordion, piano, ukulele, bodhran, harmonica, drums and cajon, and is a student at Chetham’s School of Music. And, because that wasn’t enough to keep himself busy, he also taught himself the saxophone and trumpet during lockdown!
The McGuire Family have performed most notably at the Fleadh Cheoil Mullingar 2022 (national festival of traditional Irish music) and last November Shia and his mother played a performance of Jewish Klezmer music at the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Music for Youth Proms.
All four siblings have been supported by AYM’s Awards programme over recent years and we’re thrilled they’re joining us for what is sure to be a special evening. For a preview of what to expect what the video below, filmed at the Halle St Peter’s where the event will take place.
If you know or are a young musician in need of financial support you can apply for the Awards programme.
