Music West is a local voluntary community organisation, focused on education, participation and enjoyment of music and the performing arts in Mayo. We believe that music should be open to all by bringing together musicians in Mayo to share music, skills and education. Based in Castlebar, County Mayo, our organisation has roots spanning over a century when marching bands first became a feature of life in Castlebar. The towns strong musical culture set the foundations for the formation of Music West which came about as the umbrella organisation for the Castlebar Concert Band, Mayo Concert Orchestra and Mayo Youth Orchestra.

Music West aims to provide access to music for all interested people within County Mayo and beyond. We provide  space to learn explore rehearse and collaborate, no matter what your age or ability. 

We are based in our new state of the art purpose built premises in Castlebar. Our accommodation includes a large rehearsal room together with six other teaching rooms, a meeting room, kitchen and instrument store. Access to the facility is mobility friendly and the facilities are available to rent  for practice and rehearsal and other community activities. 

We operate a number of musical ensembles which perform regularly and have affiliations with a wide range of other groups and ensembles. These include Mayo Concert Orchestra, Mayo Youth Orchestra, Castlebar Concert Band as well as Community Orchestra and Big Band. 

We also provide affordable music lessons to encourage participation by people of any ability. Classes and instruments are provided at affordable or subsidised rents. Our classes run weekly and we can facilitate musicians ranging from novice beginners (children and adult) to experienced players who wish to add to their knowledge. Our tuition ranges from percussion and piano to wind, brass and stringed instruments.

Our musical activities aim to build an appreciation of music, the musical process and the different instruments involved as well as musical skills, whether through  a pre-instrumental programme for young children, summer camps or an open to all summer ensemble.

Music West is a registered charity and we are grateful for all the sponsorship and funding that enabled Music West to achieve our goals.