Catch Composers in Conversation with The Contemporary Music Centre as part of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra 2012 Horizons Contemporary Music Series.
Composers in Conversation is a series of free pre-concert talks with the four featured composers of the RTÉ NSO series ahead of each of the free lunchtime concerts taking place this January.
The Contemporary Music Centre and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra present Composers in Conversation. This series of pre-concert talks was first introduced in the RTÉ NSO Horizons 2011 series. The collaboration gives the audience the opportunity to hear the composers of RTÉ NSO Horizons 2012 ahead of each of the concerts. All pre-concert talks and concerts are free of charge.
Composers in Conversation features each of the four composers of the RTÉ NSO Horizons 2012 Series in conversation with Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre.
Karen Power (10 January), Ronan Guilfoyle (17 January), Kevin Volans (24 January) and Garrett Sholdice (31 January) are the four featured composers in the RTÉ NSO Horizons 2012 series. Each Composer in Conversation pre-concert talk will take place at 12.30pm in the John Field Room, prior to each concert starting at 1.05pm in the main auditorium.
“Composers in Conversation offers audiences the chance to engage with the composers featured in the RTÉ NSO Horizons 2012 Contemporary Music Series and aims to enhance the concert experience. Composers are generous in discussing their musical background, their works, their likes and dislikes. It’s a great start to the year!” says Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre.
The RTÉ NSO Horizons 2012 Contemporary Music Series will include four world premières: two by Karen Power; one each by Garrett Sholdice and Benedict Schlepper-Connolly; the preview of Ronan Guilfoyle’s first concerto for electric guitar and orchestra, commissioned by RTÉ, ahead of its world première by the RTÉ NSO on Friday 20 January; the Irish première of Scelsi’s Quattro Pezzi per Orchestra as well as three separate arrangements by Sholdice of the Bach chorale Ach wie nichtig, ach wie flüchtig for string orchestra, brass ensemble and full orchestra.
All four featured composers are represented by The Contemporary Music Centre. Karen Power is an Irish composer who writes primarily for acoustic and electroacoustic forces. Her initial interest in composition came during her undergraduate degree in University College Cork (UCC), where she familiarised herself with as many musical styles as were on offer while developing a compositional language with ‘post-minimalist’ influences. Ronan Guilfoyle is one of Ireland’s best known jazz musicians. He studied bass and improvisation with Dave Holland in Banff, Canada, and as a bass player he has performed extensively in Europe, Asia and the USA. Kevin Volans was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. From 1973 to 1981 he lived in Cologne where he studied with Karlheinz Stockhausen and Mauricio Kagel, later becoming Stockhausen’s teaching assistant. He is now an Irish citizen. Garrett Sholdice is an Irish composer, curator and occasional performer currently based in York, England. Garrett is a co-director of Ergodos, a Dublin-based music organisation he founded with Benedict Schlepper-Connolly in 2006. For detailed biographies and further details on all composers please visit www.cmc.ie
The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland’s national archive and resource centre for new music supporting and developing the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. It is used on a national and international basis by performers, composers, promoters and members of the public interested in finding out more about music in Ireland. For further information on the Centre and the Composers in Conversation pre-concert talks series contact Karen Hennessy, Promotion Manager, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8. Tel: 01 673 1922. Email: khennessy@nullcmc.ie. Web site: www.cmc.ie
As part of the exciting programme of events taking place at the 2012 TradFest Festival, IMRO in association with Templebar Traders, will present a series of Master Classes in the New Theatre, Temple Bar, on Saturday 28th January.
Master Class with Gerry O'Connor
DATE: Saturday 28th January from 11.00am − 1.00pm
Master Class with Tommy Sands
DATE: Saturday 28th January from 2.00pm − 4.00pm
We have a limited number of places available for these master classes. Both classes are FREE but due to limited capacity – booking is essential. Email: keith.johnson@nullimro.ie to reserve your place now. (please indicate which seminar(s) you would like to attend)
BIOGS
Gerry O'Connor
Gerry O'Connor has brought the banjo to places no other player had tread before. He has travelled the world – physically and musically – experimenting with everything from Irish to bluegrass to African and Asian, and back to Irish. Both as a soloist and as a member of the highly acclaimed Four Men and a Dog, Gerry has truly traced the banjo's journey through the world of music.
Gerry's contribution to Irish Music can best be summed up in the words of Earl Hitchener; Music Critic for the Wall Street Journal. Celtic Music, Irish Echo, CTMS Journal (USA)
"Gerry O'Connor may be the single best four string banjoist in the history of Irish Music. It seems a tall statement to make but his phenomenal technique fully justified it. O'Connor tossed off runs and ornaments with effortless virtuosity and his jazz-like penchant for experimentation and risk taking will remind listeners of American five string banjo players like Bela Fleck and Alison Brown. If ever a musician truly 'owned' the instrument he plays Gerry O'Connor 'owns' the four – string banjo. A member of Four Men and a Dog he should be fronting his own band that will compliment and react properly to his amazing musical instincts. He is in every sense of the word sensational".
Gerry has three solo albums to his credit: 1992 saw the release of Gerry's first album "Time to Time" which is now considered a classic. His composition "Funk the Cajun Blues", first heard on this album, was included on the hugely successful compilation "Trad at Heart" and was released as a single. "Myriad" was released in 1999, which features many of Gerry's own compositions and supported by such musical colleagues as Steve Cooney, Manus Lunny, Vinnie Kilduff, Kevin Doherty, and Mairtin O Connor.
In 1993 Gerry joined "Four Men and a Dog" and recorded three critically acclaimed albums in the company of rock legends "THE BAND". They performed at major festivals throughout Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and China.
As well as being a composer and performer Gerry is a much sought after session musician. He worked on Michael Flatley's "Lord of the Dance" soundtrack. He has guested over the years with many famous Irish artists such as The Waterboy's, Mary Black, Arcady, Moya Brennan, Luka Bloom and performed for US President Bill Clinton in Belfast during his historic visit to Ireland. More recently he has guested on Chris Rea's new album "Dancing down the Stoney Road". Tutor book and video's by Gerry O'Connor are available from Waltons and Music Sales outlets worldwide. Gerry has given tutorials in Limerick University to students of Irish Music and Culture.
"No Place Like Home", released at the end of the summer, 2004, is Gerry O'Connor's first solo album in 5 years. Gerry's first two albums had a lot of experimentation ("Myriad" and "Time to Time" both were brilliant and innovative) and this album represents a sort of 'homecoming' to his musical heritage. The new recording also serves to remind the world that this is a first-class player, and has been well received in all corners, particularly with The Irish Times who named "No Place Like Home" the Number 1 Traditional/Folk album of the year 2004!
"I think the way I would like this album to be remembered is for the music and not so much the technique as people can get very bogged down with the physics of playing an instrument and loose sight of the heart and soul of music." says Gerry.
Tommy Sands
Tommy Sands, County Down's singer, songwriter and peace activist, has achieved something akin to legendary status in his own lifetime. From the pioneering tours with the highly influential Sands Family, playing Carnegie Hall to Moscow's Olympic Stadium, he has become one of Ireland's most powerful songwriters and enchanting performers.
His music moves from traditional Irish to contemporary folk and his lyrics evoke images of Ireland and make edgier commentaries on social consciousness. Not only is he an amazing musician he also has written a book named The Songman: A Journey in Irish Music which shows the rare gift of combining objectivity with passion.
ELEANOR McEVOY_New Single: “Harbour” Out Feb 17th + Woman’s Heart Anniversary dates:
4 nights in The Olympia Theatre Dublin
MOSCODISC is pleased to announce the February 17th 2012 release of Eleanor McEvoy’s new single Harbour, originally featured on Eleanor’s 2010 album I’d Rather Go Blonde. Harbour is the follow-up single to 2011’s You’ll Hear Better Songs (Than This), taken from McEvoy’s critically acclaimed 2011 album, Alone.
Fresh from her 4th December 2011 guest appearance on BBC Radio 2’s Weekend Wogan (where she performed You’ll Hear Better Songs and a haunting interpretation of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors), Eleanor will embark on a series of UK concerts in January, including the Song For Ireland at Celtic Connections festival, Glasgow before returning home to play at the Belfast Nashville Songwriters Festival and Songwriting Convention with Nanci Griffith. She also plays a four night stint for the ‘A Woman’s Heart 20th Anniversary’ Live shows in The Olympia Theatre, Dublin from 29th February to 3rd March, 2012. Tickets on sale from here .
Eleanor performed the hit song A Woman’s heart on Ireland’s biggest and most well known TV Show The Late Late Show last year.
Harbour is one of McEvoy’s more current songs written with a similar panache and style to A Womans heart. It is a simple love song about not wanting to face life and wanting so much for someone to make it all better – “Will you be a harbour? / At my shoulder / Always watching over / Try to hold me closer / Shelter me and shield me from the world”. It has been singled out on numerous reviews of the album it featured in ‘I’d Rather Go Blonde’ as having that sublime factor which is accredited to McEvoy’s unique songwriting abilities.
When it came time to record the Alone album, Eleanor headed to a studio tucked away in the Norfolk countryside. “In the converted barn, I stepped up to the microphone and sang my songs,” recalls Eleanor. “My state of mind wasn’t the brightest, but there was something about being in the studio with no agenda, deadline, or pressure, it just came out.”
The product of those tranquil sessions resulted in her current album Alone that includes incredibly haunting performances – up close, personal, and timeless. This is Eleanor McEvoy in her most intimate setting, running through the journey of her writing and singing career.
McEvoy is one of Ireland’s most accomplished female singer/songwriters. Her life as a musician began at the age of four. She has released albums on the Geffen and Columbia record labels and continues to tour the world over to her ever-increasing legion of fans.
Eleanor’s seductive and compelling Irish accent adds an emotional punch to her quirky, perceptive songs, ranging from love ballads and storytelling to ironic, amusing and all-consuming observations on the irony of everyday life. Respected as a fine multi-instrumentalist (violin, guitar, piano) in both traditional and contemporary music, she is best known for Only A Woman’s Heart, the title track of an anthology album that’s gone on to be the best selling recording in Irish chart history.
A Woman’s Heart celebrates its 20th anniversary in the guise of four consecutive nights of concerts at Dublin’s prestigious Olympia Theatre from 29th February to 3rd March, 2012.
IMRO now invites those members who have played live shows in the United States of America, during the period 1st October 2010 – 30th September 2011, to apply for live performance royalties under the ASCAP International Awards Program. Although ASCAP funds this program, all determinations are made solely by distinguished members of the American music community who are neither members nor employees of ASCAP and whose decisions are final.
The awards Program is not a contest or a competition in which any specific work is critically evaluated. Rather, the fact of actual performance of works licensed by ASCAP in the USA serves as the primary basis for the Panels determinations.
IMRO members applying for royalties under this scheme need to submit completed forms to IMRO by Wednesday 11th January 2012.
Download Form Here
Please make note of the following:
• Applications should be returned directly to IMRO.
• ASCAP will not accept applications from individuals – they must be received from IMRO.
• Awards are made annually.
• Only performances of works which are licensed by ASCAP in the USA may be considered.
• You are not guaranteed royalties – this is an awards scheme.
• Please include live performances in the USA (only) for the period 1st October 2010 – 30th September 2011 only.
• Please also provide additional material, such as printed advertisements, reviews & letters of confirmation.
• No items will be returned.
• Please return a scanned copy to submissions@nullimro.ie or a copy by post to:
'ASCAP International Awards'
Irish Music Rights Organisation,
Copyright House,
Pembroke Row,
Lower Baggot Street,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
Smalltown America / +4 Presents
In Association with Independence Month
Fighting With Wire | More Than Conquerors
Former Monarchs | Our Krypton Son | Agitate The Grave l Wiltz
…
Friday 13th January 2011
Crawdaddy
Dublin
Doors: 8pm
Admission: €5
http://www.smalltownamerica.co.uk/
INDEPENDENCE MONTH -Throughout January in CRAWDADDY Maybe it's because everyone's broke, maybe there's just something in the water, but the music scene in Ireland hasn't been this vibrant since the '80's.
Independent labels throughout the country have brought us some incredible releases throughout 2011 and The Pod are celebrating this throughout January with INDEPENDENCE MONTH – a series of live shows in Crawdaddy put together by the labels pushing Irish music forward. It will be a chance for each label to get together for unique nights showcasing the acts that we'll no doubt be loving throughout 2012.
Entry for each event will be €5 on the door.
The Acts…
LaFaro
**DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OUT OF OUR CONTROL LaFaro HAVE HAD TO WITH DRAW FROM THIS SHOW.**
Fighting With Wire
From Smalltown America: Fighting With Wire are a three-piece melodic post-hardcore act from Derry, Northern Ireland. The group formed in 2003 as a side-project for Jetplane Landing guitarist, Cahir O’Doherty, who also sings with the band, drummer, Craig McKean and bassist, Jamie King. Combining technical proficiency with pop smarts, the band’s melodic aggression invites comparison with British contemporaries Hundred Reasons and Funeral For A Friend.
"Vicious and stinging in parts, but applied with dexterity and finesse" – Kerrang!
"Do what you believe in, believe in what you do and don’t give a damn about anything or anybody else. That seems to be the philosophy of Fighting With Wire." – Rock Sound
More Than Conquerors
From Smalltown America: Dirty, rhythmic guitars under-laden with hard-hitting bass-lines and punchy drums in a catchy way that makes sure the audiences' feet stay nailed to the ground. Amidst all the chaos, the melodic vocals grip the listeners emotions. More Than Conquerors formed in early 2009 and rapidly found community acclaim in the bosom of their native Belfast; the quartet’s charms also won them fans in acts such as: Jimmy Eat World, Feeder, Twin Atlantic, General Fiasco, Fighting With Wire and Mojo Fury – shaping a super-tight live show and garnering an enthusiastic, sing-a-long fanbase.
Thought provoking lyrics, epic instrumentation and production to die for.' – 8/10 – Boost The Music
'In car terms, they’re like a Toyota Prius equipped with a gas guzzling V8 and spidemobile-spec exhaust system…No, I haven’t been drinking – but I plan on it, probably while giving 'Boots & Bones' another listen.' – The Irish News.
Former Monarchs
Formed in 2010 from the ashes of local cult acts, Former Monarchs' draw influences from a diverse range of bands, including Irish stalwarts The Redneck Manifesto and the sadly-defunct Danish trio Marvins Revolt. Their sound interweaves edgy guitar lines and a thumping rhythm section, with strong emphasis on vocal and instrumental harmonies. In their relatively brief lifespan, Former Monarchs have toured Ireland with Birmingham based band &U&I, as well as playing with notable acts such as Maybeshewill, And So I Watch You From Afar and Axis Of in venues up and down the country. The band released their debut ep, "The Wisdom Of Crowds" in May 2011 to critical acclaim, and have toured all over the country in support of it.
"An assured and well rounded debut from a band that are arguably still finding their voice, when they hit their stride they’re going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Irish music scene and beyond." – drop-d.ie
"Ones to watch" – BBC Radio 1
Our Krypton Son
From Smalltown America: Chris McConaghy aka Our Krypton Son hails from Derry, Northern Ireland where he first cut his first musical teeth with psychobilly art-rockers Red Organ Serpent Sound. Having graduated unscathed from those rambunctious ranks, Chris established his songwriting credentials as an acoustic solo act sharing stages with David Kitt, Gemma Hayes, Jape and Cashier No. 9 around the Irish club circuit.
'The sweep and sway of ‘Catalonian Love Song’ is redolent of Richard Hawley, or the Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner at his most contemplative. Very promising indeed.' – AU Magazine
'A gentle and carefully crafted piece which I think you will want to come back to again and again.' – GoldenPlec
Wiltz
Wiltz are an instrumental indie-rock band based out of Wicklow, Ireland. Formed in late 2010, the four-piece (Mark, Robin, Peter & Dave) released their self-titled début EP in May 2011. In their first year together they have shared stages with such international acts as Lemuria, The James Cleaver Quintet and Alright The Captain.
The Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock TD announced today [Thursday] that the Government will be responding with legislation to the High Court Judgment in the case of EMI and Others Vs UPC.
In his judgement Mr Justice Charleton held that he was constrained by the wording of the Copyright and Related Rights Act 2000 and could not grant an injunction to prevent infringement of copyright against an information service provider in the context of a transient communication and he stated that Ireland had not fully transposed the relevant EU Directive(s).
Minister Sherlock stated ‘the Government is proposing to introduce a Statutory Instrument, to redress the situation highlighted by Justice Charleton, by providing for injunctions for copyright owners against intermediaries whose services are used to infringe their copyright.
In granting such injunctions the Courts must take account of Court of Justice of the European Union Judgements. They require that a fair balance be struck between the various fundamental rights protected by the Community legal order and the principle of proportionality. That would include, inter alia, the protection of the fundamental rights of individuals who are affected by such measures, the freedom to conduct a business enjoyed by operators such as Internet Service Providers, the protection of private data and right of freedom of expression and information’.
The Minister went on to say that he hopes that the legislation will be introduced by the middle of January 2012.
Word of Mouth Agency Presents
The Certain Three 2012 Tour
Featuring_Katie Kim_The Lost Brothers_Puzzle Muteson
Now in its third year, the Certain Three Tour returns in January 2012 for a ten date run. The creation of Irish based booking agency Word of Mouth, the idea is to feature three acts each with something different to offer and send them out as a triple bill with an alternating running order. The two previous tours have featured O Emperor, We Cut Corners, Alessi´s Ark and The Ambience Affair amongst others.
Carefully chosen for the 2012 tour are three acts that have created a significant stir during 2011.
Thursday 12.01 Linehall Arts Centre Castlebar
Saturday 14.01 Half Moon Club Cork
Sunday 15.01 Pine Lodge Myrtleville, Co. Cork
Thursday 19.01 Bourkes Limerick
Friday 20.01 Swan Lane Navan
Saturday 21.01 Theatre Royal Waterford
Thursday 26.01 Roisin Dubh Galway
Friday 27.01 The Workman´s Club Dublin
Saturday 28.01 The Spirit Store Dundalk
Saturday 04.02 The Model Sligo
Word of Mouth Agency Presents
The Certain Three 2012 Tour
Featuring_Katie Kim_The Lost Brothers_Puzzle Muteson
Now in its third year, the Certain Three Tour returns in January 2012 for a ten date run. The creation of Irish based booking agency Word of Mouth, the idea is to feature three acts each with something different to offer and send them out as a triple bill with an alternating running order. The two previous tours have featured O Emperor, We Cut Corners, Alessi’s Ark and The Ambience Affair amongst others.
Carefully chosen for the 2012 tour are three acts that have created a significant stir during 2011.
Thursday 12.01 Linehall Arts Centre Castlebar
Saturday 14.01 Half Moon Club Cork
Sunday 15.01 Pine Lodge Myrtleville, Co. Cork
Thursday 19.01 Bourkes Limerick
Friday 20.01 Swan Lane Navan
Saturday 21.01 Theatre Royal Waterford
Thursday 26.01 Roisin Dubh Galway
Friday 27.01 The Workman’s Club Dublin
Saturday 28.01 The Spirit Store Dundalk
Saturday 04.02 The Model Sligo
