Welcome to the newly named Accora Orchestra - originally the Castletown Accordion Orchestra it was formed in 1981 as a marching band. In 1993, the current musical director, John Chilton took over and changed the band to an accordion orchestra. They have won numerous titles at All Ireland level and at other national events held throughout the country including the Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships. Individual members have won numerous solo, duet and ensemble competitions.
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There are currently 4 Accora Accordion Orchestras.
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The Primary Orchestra, conducted by Sara Brennan
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The Preparatory Orchestra Conducted by Sara Brennan
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The Intermediate Orchestras, conducted by Yvonne Chilton
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The Senior Orchestra, conducted by John Chilton.
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The Orchestra has travelled to Scotland, England, Spain, Italy, The Czech Republic and Austria taking part in various festivals. To date, their most impressive achievements have been winning Akkordeon-Orchester Schuler Elementarstufe (Accordion Orchestra Kids Elementary Level), and Akkordeon-Ensemble mit Dirigent erwachsene Oberstufe (Accordion Ensemble with Conductor Adults Advanced Level) at the World Music Festival in May of 2019. They have also been successful in winning the International Accordion Days in Prague Festival at 2 levels Under 19 Orchestra and the Light Music Section in November of 2016, Winning the European Accordion Championships in April 2006 and in 2007 they travelled to Innsbruck, Austria, where the Senior Orchestra was placed 2nd out of 30 and the Junior Orchestra was placed 3rd out of 11 at the World Accordion Championships.
Now Enrolling:
Did you know that learning to read and play Music can help a child's self confidence, concentration and overall development? We are now enrolling new members. You DO NOT need an accordion - we provide one. New Beginner Classes starting 20th September for Junior Infants to Adults. Classes held each week in St. Killian's National School, Mullagh, Co. Cavan. To enrol fill out contact form on website or message us on Facebook. We welcome every age group from Junior Infants to Adult. You will learn to read and play music and be part of our world standard orchestras. Our musicians currently come from Cavan and Meath - all counties welcome !! It is well a known fact that there are huge benefits for children who learn music.
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Over 70 members in 4 orchestras from Beginners to Advanced
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Instruction by fully qualified teachers
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Instruments taught are accordion and percussion
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Opportunities for exams, competitions, great friends and foreign travel
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Interested in joining?
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Please contact us by Phone 046-9245905/087-9949006 Or check out our contact page
2 WORLD TITLES FOR ACCORA ORCHESTRA
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The World Music Festival was held in Innsbruck, Austria from May 30th to June 2nd, where 387 ensembles and orchestras competed to be crowned the best in the world. The Accora Youth Orchestra led by musical director Yvonne Chilton scooped the top prize in the Akkordeon-Orchester Schuler Elementarstufe (Accordion Orchestra Kids Elementary Level), while the Accora Senior Orchestra led by musical director, John Chilton, were awarded 1st with an Outstanding standard in the Akkordeon-Ensemble mit Dirigent erwachsene Oberstufe (Accordion Ensemble with Conductor Adults Advanced Level).
The Accora Youth Orchestra performed Suite Contraire by Hermann Illenberger on Saturday morning in Messe Theatre. The young musicians, ranging in age from 9-19 years, performed 4 movements of the piece without sheet music. The jury complemented their musical director Yvonne Chilton on tutoring these young children to such a high standard and were blown away by the way they followed her direction to such perfection.
The Senior Orchestra performed Variations on an Original Theme by Eddie Harris and arranged by their musical director John Chilton. The Jury was again very complimentary of the standard and in particular John Chilton’s arrangement of this very well-known piece and the way it was executed to perfection.
40 people including musicians, families and supporters travelled to Innsbruck, Austria for this prestigious event that included competing orchestras from Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Croatia, Austria, Moldova, United Kingdom, and Spain.
Here is a link to the Senior Orchestra's winning performance from the World Music Festival June 1st 2019
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Here is a link to our Youth Orchestra's winning performance from the World Music Festival June 1st 2019
https://www.facebook.com/AccoraOrchestra/videos/2274118202842346/
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World Champion's Accora Youth Orchestra & Accora Senior Orchestra
World Champion's Accora Youth Orchestra with Musical Director Yvonne Chilton
World Champion's Accora Senior Ensemble with Musical Director John Chilton
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Lessons - Venue & Times:
Lessons are held in St. Killian's Primary School, Mullagh, Co.Cavan each Friday evening.
Fees:
If you own an accordion the fee is €10 per child per week, €20 for two children and a third child from the same family is half price. Mini Musician Classes are €5 per week, payable in advance at the beginning of each month.
Accordions:
Children need an accordion to practice on. If you don't have an accordion we will provide your child with one for just €5 per week capped at 150 euro.
Enrollment:
Registration is taken by phone Yvonne Chilton on 046-9245905, Ben Sheridan on 046-9054371, Sara on 087-7842430 or you can come down to St. Killian's Primary School, Virginia Road, Mullagh on Friday's between 5 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Students from Junior Infants, Senior Infants & 1st Class are welcome for our Mini Musician and 2nd class upwards to learn accordion and percussion!!
Mini Musicians Class
We started a "Mini Musicians Class" last September and it has been a fantastic success. The children developed in all aspects of music with many children moving onto recorders in the last year. The classes are held on a Friday evening in St. Killian's National School, Mullagh. The class "Mini Musicians" is aimed at Junior & Senior Infants students who would like to begin music lessons.
In the classes the children learn to read music and start off playing percussion instruments both tuned & untuned. The learning is in a fun environment with music games and activities the basis to the children's learning.
To enrol for these classes contact Sara on 087-7842430 who will answer and questions you may have about this new class!!
Congratulations to both the Senior and Youth Orchestra who won both their sections respectively in Prague
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A great result for Cavan, Meath and Dublin Musicians as they return to Ireland with two 1st's and a 3rd from the International Accordion Days Festival that was held in Prague from Thursday 3rd to Saturday November 5th. Castletown Youth Accordion Orchestra led by musical director, Sara Brennan from Kingscourt, scooped the top prize in the Under 19 Orchestral section with a Silver Award, while the Senior Orchestra, led by John Chilton, Lisduff, Virginia were awarded a 1st Place with a Gold Award in the Light Music Section and a 3rd in the Classical Section.
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Eighty nine people travelled to Prague on this trip that included the members of two Castletown Accordion Orchestras, a combination of of the Junior and Intermediate Orchestras (Castletown Youth Orchestra) and a Senior Orchestra, their supporters and families.
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The competitions saw orchestras from Germany, Serbia, Czech Republic, Norway and Ireland. As well as competing at the International Accordion Festival, both Castletown Accordion Orchestras also performed a number of concerts. The Youth Orchestra led by musical director Sara Brennan performed on Thursday Night November 3rd in Lieben Castle and the Senior Orchestra led by musical director John Chilton performed at the Gala Concert held in the Prague Conservatory of Music on Friday night November 4th.
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