Mayo County Council's EXCEL 11, is a developmental programme of arts events for teenagers and young adults across county Mayo. The programme focuses on supporting and developing the skills of young people with specific arts interests, while also providing opportunities for young Mayo people to get involved in quality arts events during the month of November.

Open events
Annually the EXCEL Youth Arts Programme includes a number of ‘open’ events. These events are open to anybody between the ages of 13 and 19 and are really popular. It is hoped this year's open programme will offer challenging opportunities and fun in equal measure. The number of participants in each workshop is limited and to get involved you need to call the arts office and book your place to avoid disappointment. The number to call for more information and bookings is 094-9047558, or alternatively you can e-mail: mayoarts@mayococo.ie.

Youth Bands Advice Clinic (Ballina)
Mayo is home to a large number of youth bands and EXCEL is hoping to provide opportunities for young people involved in music to get advice about whatever area of the industry they are interested in. Whether you are part of a band or an individual musician Steve Reddy from First Music Contact will be on hand on November 26th at Ballina Arts Centre to talk to bands/individual on a one-to-one basis from 11am-4pm. First Music Contact (FMC) is a free information and advice resource for musicians at any stage in their career. The organisation started life as a cross-border umbrella group for music collectives in Ireland, to promote, encourage and develop the work of music collectives, to facilitate those already in existence and to help in the start up of new groups. Booking for this event is advised – contact Mayo Arts Office on 094-9047558, or mayoarts@mayococo.ie.

Traditional Music Workshop (Charlestown)
Zoe Conway will be facilitating a multi-instrument workshop for traditional musicians in Charlestown Arts Centre on Saturday 26th November from 11am-2pm and workshop participants will also have the opportunity to perform for family and friends in a short concert after the workshop at 2pm. Arrangements of workshop material will cater for different standards of players, and melody and harmony instruments. Participants will need to have 2 years experience of playing their instrument.
Zoe is a holder of the much coveted All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Champion title, winning the prestigious competition in 2001. She has performed across the globe, both as a solo artist and also playing with international acts such as Riverdance, Damien Rice, Rodrigo y Gabriella, Nick Cave and Lou Reed among others. She is increasingly in demand as a tutor, regularly giving workshops and lectures on the merits of classical and traditional music on the violin. She is also a featured musician on the current Leaving Certificate music syllabus in Ireland. Booking for this event is advised – contact Mayo Arts Office on 094-9047558, or mayoarts@mayococo.ie.

Open Workshop with Mayo Artsquad (Castlebar)
Mayo Artsquad is widely known throughout Mayo for bringing life and colour to many of the counties festivals and community events. As part of EXCEL they are opening up their workshop on the Breaffy Road to young people who would like to come along and experience a wide range of creative activities in the one location. Artsquad workshop will be open on Monday 28th November from 5-7.30pm.

Portfolio Preparation Advice for Art Teachers (Castlebar)
On Friday 25th November (2-4pm) in Mayo Education Centre an expert panel will provide information on portfolio preparation for Art Teachers from Mayo. Ann Fitzsimmons, John Brady and John Mayock all have a wealth of experience in this area and will be on hand to offer advice and insight into the process. Booking for this event is strongly advised and can be done through the Mayo Education Centrte on 094-9020700.

Youth Workshops & Masterclasses
EXCEL 11 will work directly with a number of groups, including Mayo Youth Orchestra, Mayo Youth Theatre and Achill Pipe Bands and Crimlin Community Arts with specialist masterclasses to support the work of these groups. The workshop programme this year features drama and choral and workshops with young people in Castlebar, Louisburgh and Erris.

So November looks set to be a hectic month for Mayo's youth population. If you would like to find out more about the programme or how you can get involved please contact Mayo Arts Office on 094-9047558 or 094-9047471 or by email mayoarts@mayococo.ie. 

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