Barbican date for teenager

Luton teenager Patrick Ballantyne is to appear at the Barbican with the National Folk Orchestra of Ireland

Patrick Ballantyne, 18, will join the group on March 4 for their UK debut which will be followed by a nationwide tour of Ireland.

The former Cardinal Newman student – who is reading geography at Liverpool University – said: “It was a great honour to be chosen, it’s incredible. I can’t wait to go on tour and it’s handy that it’s taking place during the Easter holidays.”

The Orchestra, comprising 60 of the UK’s best traditional and classical musicians, will perform a work specially commissioned to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising – Macalla 1916.

It is described as ‘An echo of the past - a vision of the future.’

Patrick belongs to the Luton Leagrave branch of Comhaltas, the Association of Irish Musicians. His mother, a flautist, is branch secretary and she suggested switching from classical violin to traditional Irish music.

He doesn’t see music as a professional career path but he will continue to hold workshops and judge competitions.