Thursday 13 May 8.00pm
Sylvia O'Brien, soprano and Hanna Shybayeva, piano 
Solstice Arts Centre, Navan, Co.Meath
"The Seven Deadly Sins of Opera"
Solstice details on http://www.solsticeartscentre.com/events/?p=991
 

Dance Mania, Addiction, Ecstasy, Love…

Galway Early Music is pleased to announce its 15^th Festival of Early Music, taking place in the heart of medieval Galway on 28-30 of May 2010.

The theme of this year’s festival is Music and Madness and we promise our guests a healthy dose of foolishness and absurdity in all the events of our festival. The themes of ecstasy, dance mania, addiction, and love dominate in this year’s edition of the festival. The festival’s programme ranges from the dance epidemics of the Middle Ages, where entire communities of people would join hands, dance, leap, scream and shake for hours, to the madness of love, so beautifully expressed in medieval & renaissance vocal music, to the madness of the gambler who plays to his ruin, and finally to the ecstatic chant music of religious visionaries and mystics such as Hildegard von Bingen. In addition, a madman that can fly and horns that cure a wounded warrior feature in the popular Saturday free events that run throughout the Latin Quarter of the city.

For full programme and on-line booking please visit our website:

www.galwayearlymusic.com

Registration (including buffet lunch, refreshments and wine reception) is €50 (concessions €35).
Early bird discount of 10% if you book and pay by close of business on 7 May.
A limited number of bursaries are available.

PLEASE SEE BROCHURE ATTACHED FOR ALL THE DETAILS AND A REGISTRATION FORM.
Further information at www.cmc.ie/future-of-music

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Eve O'Kelly, Director, Contemporary Music Centre

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

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!

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 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.

You might find the following workshop of interest

YOUR BRAIN AND MUSIC
Saturday 17th April 2010
Half Day workshop : 9.30am - 1.30 pm
National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
Tickets: e85 front section/e75 rest of house/e45 concessions
Group booking discounts - email jane@seminars.ie
 
Speakers
Daniel J Levitin - Jazz Musician, author of 'This Is Your Brain On Music', Professor of Pyschology and Neurosciences at McGill University
 
Paul Robertson - Chief Executive of the Music Mind Spirit Turst and founder leader of the Medici String Quartet.
 
Gary Ansdell - Music Therapist, Director of Education and Lecturee at Nordoff-Robbins Centre, London.
 
This half day worskhop brings together three experts to give a comprehensive overview of the healing properties of music and its effects on the brain,  and how this understanding can lead to effective treatment of neurological problems.
 
Music has always been considered a soothing and healing influence, calming the soul and relieving stress. With the rise in Music Therapy as a paramedical discipline we have come to understand just how useful it can be in the treatment of autism, learning disabilities, dementia, neurological disorders and depression.
Who Should Attend:
Musicians
Music and Medical students
Carers and health workers
Psychologists
Psychiatric workers
Teachers
Music Therapists
Anyone who wishes to know more about the brain and music!

Programme
9.30     Introduction
9.45     Paul Robertson – Music, Mind , Spirit
           Gary Ansdell – Music Therapy
11.00   Q & A
11.30   Coffee Break
12.00   Daniel Levitin – Music and the Brain
1.30     Close

TO BOOK  CHECK THE NCH WEBSITE OR CALL (353) (0)1 417 0000
 
 
 GROUP BOOKINGS EMAIL jane@seminars.ie

‘Grasping the Nettle’

Summary of Plenary 8^th December 2009

Morning session 11-1

Tania Banotti- National Campaign for the Arts/ Theatre Forum

The National Camnpaign for the Arts is led by a pro-bono group representing all of the art forms. It was founded in response to disturbing elements found in the McCarthy Report.

Focusing on the December budget the Campaign decided to focus on 5 main goals with budget day as ‘D-Day’:

• Retention of Culture Ireland, the agency for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide.
• Retention of The Irish Film Board, development agency of the Irish film industry.
• Maintenance of existing levels of funding to the Arts Council.
• Retention of the artists’ income tax exemption scheme.
• Commitment to retain the arts portfolio at cabinet as part of a senior ministerial portfolio.

(3 of the 5 goals were achieved)

There were three main tactics in the strategy to raise awareness:

• Engage the media at national and local level and get artists to speak out to generate publicity. It was discovered that the arts had sympathetic partners in journalism.
• Meet as many politicians as possible (21% met so far)
• Set up local campaigns by constituency and get as many artists as possible to register in their constituency. Local effort proved a revelation. For more information on local initiatives please check the Campaign website- www.ncfa.ie

Of all the arts groups, musicians have been the group that have not mobilised well. The Campaign is keen to involve more musicians to help educate politicians about the value of arts organisations to Ireland.

About the Theatre Forum:

Founded in 2003 out of a multiplicity of groups, this organisation is run by two full time administrators and receives Arts Council funding and further revenue through members’ fees. The Forum runs practical training days, meetings of venue managers, productions companies and more and circulates key industry information to members. Tania believes such work cannot be done on a voluntary basis.

Aisling Ryan Music Network on the U2/Music Network Music Education Scheme.

Aisling placed the Music Network scheme in context by relating the history of this campaign to increase provision for music education for all children in Ireland. Statistics such as the fact that only 0.2% of Irish children (rising more recently to 1%) have access to instrumental/vocal tuition in Ireland compared to 12.2% in Sweden and the 6-8% EU average supports the need for such a campaign.

Given that this access is not equitable, it was terrific to form a partnership with U2 and the Ireland Funds in 2009 that would improve access dramatically. The project will roll out between 2010 and 2015 and a project manager will be appointed in early 2010. After that applications for funding will be sought and these applications must include an association with a VEC who will match funding.

Full details are not available as yet but those interested in receiving information were asked to contact Music Network to register an interest.

Gerard Flanagan- Kylemore College CDVEC

Gerard Flanagan spoke from his perspective as the recipient of funding for a pilot project involving his College and partners in the Dublin area. This pilot serves as a good model for the type of project that could receive funding. Gerard gave a detailed account of the setting up of this pilot and included a ‘how-to’ element in his talk ranging from human resources concerns to strategic planning. Gerard kindly agreed to let us circulate his powerpoint presentation, so for a more detailed summary, please find it attached.

Sean MacCarthaigh- Head of Public Affairs, Arts Council

Sean discussed the value of the Indecon report ‘Assessment of Economic Impact of the Arts’ which argues persuasively that the arts are central to economic recovery. The figures that conservatively 50,000 people are employed in the arts in Ireland which stands up impressively to the 70, 000 employed in ICT demonstrates that the arts need to be valued for more than their ability to move or entertain, although this value must never be forgotten or minimised.

While the Irish economy is getting bad press internationally, the arts in Ireland continue to create good press, with presence on the world stage and accolades that continue to come our way. Already generating 2.4 Billion euro in cultural tourism, MacCarthaigh argued that the Indecon report supports the fact that the arts is one of Ireland’s unique selling propositions and that we should be investing more, not less.