Young masters to compete at music festival in Ireland

"Two young musicians from Chester County plan to represent the United States at a music festival in Ireland later this year.

Keegan Loesel, 11, of Unionville, and Alexander Weir, 12, of West Chester, can play some fine Irish music. The boys are masters of different musical instruments used in a traditional type of Irish folk music called Fleadh. Loesel is a tin whistler, and Weir is a fiddler. They both competed at the Regional Fleadh in New Jersey in April to qualify for The Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, the Festival of Music, this August in Ireland.

Only two regional competitions are held in all of North America to qualify for the Fleadh in Ireland. In the 12-and-under age group, Loesel and Weir were the top two finalists from the eastern half of the continent.

For both boys, it will be a trip of a lifetime."
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