Mullagh musicians take on best in the world in Austria
Image 1 of 2
The Accora Orchestra U21 members George Blake, Saoirse Farrelly, Lucy Golden, Sarah McKenna, Orla O’ Malley, Cormac McKenna, Aaron Smyth, Karl Parge, Matthew Taylor, Roisín Smyth, Kate McKenna, Ailbhe Smith, Áine Harney, Ciara Parge and Fionn Parge.Image 2 of 2
The Accora Orchestra Senior members: Karl Parge, Miriam Keogh, Ken Whelan, Samantha Sheridan, Roisín O’Brien, Yvonne Chilton, John Chilton, Sara Parge, Clare Bradley, Shane Kelly, Bronagh Carolan, Liam McBride, Orla O’Malley, Derek McKenna and Oisín Carolan.The Accora Orchestra will represent Ireland at World Accordion Championships in Austria this weekend.
The Mullagh based group of musicians will travel to Austria tomorrow (Wednesday) to perform on the world stage once again. Accora's U16 and senior band members took home the world title when they performed at the same competition in 2019.
This year, eighty members will be competing across three categories, the under 16s, the under 21s, and the Senior Orchestra. A mix of accordion players and percussionists, they will take to the stage on Friday and Saturday, with results announced on Sunday.
Before making the journey over to Innsbruck, seventeen-year-old Matthew Taylor spoke to the Celt about his experience playing with the group since his primary school days.
Matthew plays the piano accordion, which he took up ten years ago after the Accora Orchestra came to visit his school.
"It is a very niche instrument," he agreed, explaining how he got involved with the group.
"At the time the orchestra were going around playing in front of different primary schools to try get more members," he said.
"I remember they came to my school one day and I just was interested in it. I asked my mam about it and she signed me up for it and I've been doing it since."
It's a decision the Virginia College fifth year student never regretted.
"I think it's great, there's loads of opportunities to travel. The orchestra have been all over the world."
They have garnered global recognition having performed in Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Scotland, England, Switzerland and this week Austria.
In addition to their international accomplishments, Accora has also celebrated success on home soil. They claimed top honours at both the All-Ireland Accordion Championships and the Northern Ireland Open Accordion Championships this year. Beyond his achievements within the group, Matthew has also been successful in several solo performances, placing first in the Northern Ireland Championships this year.
The "close knit" group practice together every Friday and every day individually.
"I personally love it, it's really my thing, my passion. That's what I like to do."
The Munterconnaught teenager will play with the U21 orchestra on the Messe Congress stage this weekend. The Accora Orchestra will compete against 160 other groups from around the world.
"I'm feeling good about it, we've been practicing very hard," he said.
"I think we'll do very well."