Forum for Music in Ireland

Elizabeth Cooney (violin) will perform on The View on Tuesday 23 February 11.30pm to promote a series of performances in March.

One of Ireland's most outstanding performers, Cooney joins with UCD Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Ciaran Crilly for Philip Glass' iconic concerto on Thursday 4th March in the NCH, directly after our own talking shop (see next posting for Forum attendee special offers)

Elizabeth’s Irish performances in March include:

Thursday 4 March 8.00pm
National Concert Hall  www.nch.ie
Philip Glass concerto with UCD Symphony Orchestra/Ciarán Crilly conductor
 
Friday  5 March 8.00pm
Fota House, Cork  (Phone 0214815543) with Elisaveta Blumina, piano
 
Saturday 6 March 8.00pm
Gala Concert for Cork Alzheimer's Society, Aula Maxima, UCC
 
Saturday 13 March 8.00pm
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co.Meath www.solsticeartscentre.com
with Elisaveta Blumina, piano

Forum for Music in Ireland ‘Talking shop’

Two weeks to go…………

Thursday March 4^th 2010

Carolan Room, National Concert Hall

6pm to 8.30pm

(tea/coffee available from 5.30pm and at close of business)

We are delighted to announce our panel of experts, drawn from a variety of musical genres and areas of the profession:

John Wallace, Chair, founder of the Wallace Collection and Principal of Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

Conor Byrne, highly accomplished flute player with several award winning documentaries under his belt who runs the hugely popular County Sessions, currently pulling in big crowds in the Button Factory in Temple Bar. 

 

Iarlaith Carter, senior artist manager, Harrison Parrott Music Management

Julie Feeney, Choice Music Prize winning composer-performer

 

Gerry Godley, Improvised Music Company and National Campaign for the Arts

Anthony De Ritis, Chair of Music, Northeastern University, Boston, and composer of ‘Devolution’ for symphony orchestra and DJ.

What is our talking shop about?

On March 4^th 2010, the National Concert Hall hosts the first Forum for Music in Ireland ‘Talking Shop’, a gathering designed to enable networking and stimulate discussion about current issues in music led by an Irish and international panel that will deal with questions raised by Forum members in advance and asked from the floor.

For this first talking shop, we have taken the issue closest to Forum members’ hearts- the challenges of developing a sustainable career as a musician. Our panel will help us look afresh at the challenges of audience development, availability of work opportunities, problems with working conditions for musicians and more.

We have included two brief mid-session presentations showcasing some new initiatives around the country:

Sarah Franklyn of the Music and Arts Guild of Ireland (MAGI), an organisation formed with the objective of finding a tangible way to transform the working conditions for artist practitioners in Ireland by offering a holistic approach that brings together seemingly unrelated sectors through the arts to create new economic opportunities and generate a sustainable livelihood for artists.

Jessica Fuller of Platform Ireland Beta, a new online channel which showcases the best of Irish arts and culture for free. Currently www.platformireland.ie features performances from the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Donnacha Dennehy, Druid Theatre Company, the Irish Modern Dance Theatre, Poetry Ireland and plenty of short films and introductions to some of Irelands leading culture and entertainment organisations.

We want YOUR questions!

We would like to thank those who have submitted questions already. If you would like to ask a question, we ask you to e mail dkkelleherdeborah@gmail.com  by Thursday 25^th February and we will try to get to all submitted questions in the session. Questions will be chosen on a ‘first come/first served’ basis.

Finish your night off with some music…………

The UCD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is performing ‘AMERICANA’, a concert that features music from Broadway, the ballet and the big screen with soloist Elizabeth Cooney right in the National Concert Hall on the night of our Talking Shop. Attendees have generously been offered a reduced price of €12 per ticket (normal price €18) which can be accessed by using the online booking promotion code UCD1.

 

See you there!

THE X FACTOR for ENSEMBLE PLAYERS !!! 

Open Auditions to find the new Galway Apprentice Ensemble in Residence 2010 
 

The Apprentice Ensemble Project is an open competition which offers a group of musicians dedicated tuition time with the world famous Galway Ensemble in Residence – ConTempo. The successful ensemble will also be provided with practice space and resources to further their instrumental proficiency both as individual players and within ensemble playing. The prestigious position will have a duration of one year running April to April and during this year long engagement, the apprentice Ensemble will also be provided with a number of opportunities to perform in a professional capacity.  

The position is offered to established ensembles wanting to further enrich their experience of ensemble music and may also suit musicians coming together for the first time. Teachers, professional or pre-professional instrumentalists will particularly benefit from ConTempo’s extensive performance, competition and teaching experience. 

Closing date for the Apprentice Ensemble Scheme is 26 February 2010 with audition’s happening in Galway from 2 – 6th March.  The Application form is available on our website at www.galwayensemble.ie or by post. For further information call  + 353 91 586706  + 353 91 586706 . 

The Galway Ensemble-in-Residence was established in 2002 to develop a comprehensive music development programme for Galway, with a professional residency at its centre.  The project is designed to bring music to new people in Galway City and County. The programme involves collaborations with local and national music organisations, educational institutions and individual musicians. ConTempo String Quartet is the current resident ensemble. 

 

 

* * * * AUDITIONS * * * *

 

Auditions For A New Professional Irish Theatre Production

 

Julian Benson Management is holding auditions for lead vocalists, Irish dancers and musicians for it’s forthcoming production, “Celtic Dawn”, a dynamic production of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

 

The show will open in The Burlington Hotel in early 2010 – October 2010.

 

 

 

AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE BURLINGTON HOTEL.

 

Dance auditions will be held on Saturday, 13^th February.

 

Vocalist and musician auditions will be held on Sunday 14^th February.

 

Those wishing to audition should contact Julian Benson Mgmt. on (01) 6764377 for an audition time.

 

All those attending audition should bring a CV and headshot.

 

 

 

* REQUIREMENTS *

 

IRISH DANCERS (Minimum age: 16)

All dancers auditioning should be of champion level and available for full-time rehearsals from the last 2 weeks in May. Dancers with a good vocal ability and that are proficient in playing a traditional Irish instrument should also prepare a piece to perform at the audition.

Dancers must prepare 1 hard and 1 soft shoe step.

 

 

VOCALISTS

We are looking for strong, competent, lead vocalists to perform a cross section of music from classical, musical theatre and sean nos. Vocalists should prepare 2 contrasting songs, showcasing their range. Suggested songs: “You Raise Me Up”, “Danny Boy”, “The Waters Wide”. Please bring appropriate sheet music to the audition.

 

 

TRADITIONAL MUSICANS

We are looking for a traditional Irish music group who are used to performing together to include, fiddle, pipes and bodhran. In addition, we are also looking for fiddle, pipes and bodhran soloists. Those auditioning, should be dynamic performers with excellent traditional Irish music skills who can play one or more traditional instruments at the highest level.

 

 

 

SATURDAY, 13^TH FEBRUARY:                     DANCE AUDITIONS

10AM – 3PM

4PM – 6PM (RECALLS)

 

SUNDAY, 14^TH FEBRUARY:             VOCAL & MUSICIAN AUDITIONS

10AM – 3PM

4PM – 6PM (RECALLS)

 

ALL AUDITIONEES MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FULL PERIOD FROM MID MAY TO OCTOBER 2010.

NATIONAL MUSIC DAY- MESSAGE FROM MUSIC NETWORK We’re well into the New Year and Ireland’s first national music day, love:live music, is swiftly approaching! love:live music is a daylong celebration of music throughout Ireland, coordinated by Music Network taking place on 16 April. In this, the inaugural year, there will be hundreds of free live music events across all genres/types of music in towns and villages all over the country as well as two flagship events in Dublin and Limerick that will showcase music of the highest quality. If you require more information on love:live music or are interested in programming a live event please contact  me at Music Network on 01 6719429 or email capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie.   Kind regards, Aisling Ryan