Category Archives: forthcoming events

Notes tremendous thundered out

Posted on 22 November 2011 by

Today is St Cecilia’s Day, the patron saint of music. It’s also the day Benjamin Britten was born. One of his compositions, the ‘Ode To Saint Cecilia’ (from whence comes the title of this blog post), is a setting for … Continue reading →

Posted in Brilliant, composers, composition, forthcoming events, New Dublin Voices and other choral singing, Technical, what I'm up to | 1 Comment

Jonny Boyle

Posted on 15 June 2011 by

It’s my friend Jonny Boyle’s birthday today. He is a brilliant guitar player—melodic, jazzy, and musical beyond belief. He is doing a couple of workshops in his home town of Carrickfergus on 25 June, one called ‘Jazz Up The Blues’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Brilliant, forthcoming events, links, Technical | Leave a comment

DADGAD, feminism & being artistic

Posted on 2 April 2011 by

These links are unconnected. But everything’s connected, right? Well, what connects them is that I found them all yesterday and I think they’re all worth sharing. There is a connection between Sam West’s passionate speech at last week’s ‘March for … Continue reading →

Posted in beautiful minds, forthcoming events, links | 1 Comment

Steve Reich talks about composition

Posted on 21 January 2011 by

This lovely little video appeared on Twitter today. It’s by the London Sinfonietta, who are soon performing Steve Reich’s ‘Music For 18 Musicians’ with the composer. It’s really a video programme note – Reich explains the genesis and history of … Continue reading →

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The Low Anthem – a new album and a Dublin gig announced

Posted on 6 December 2010 by

I went to see The Low Anthem last time they were in Dublin and it was a really magical gig. They’ve just announced a gig in Vicar Street for the tenth of April next year and have a new track … Continue reading →

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World premiere

Posted on 6 June 2010 by

At the beginning of this year, NDV were recording some Christmas music for a proposed CD release. In between takes I wandered over to the upright piano in St Ann’s church and quietly played some chords – the first comprised … Continue reading →

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The Marriage of Figaro

Posted on 5 May 2010 by

In my first year at Edinburgh University I was involved in the student production of Mozart’s opera, ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. The cast sang in English, as I recall (the opera is originally in Italian). It contains some of the … Continue reading →

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Irish Choral Composition Prize

Posted on 5 February 2010 by

Very excited to learn that there will be a composition prize awarded for this year’s Cork Choral Festival. Here’s the link to the full details: http://www.corkchoral.ie/index.php/education/sean-o-riada-competition.html

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Kirk Franklin

Posted on 12 November 2009 by

I’ve been a big fan of Kirk Franklin ever since my sister lived in Philadelphia for a year back in ’98/’99.  His gospel choir compositions are certainly among the absolute best and the choirs and bands he has worked with … Continue reading →

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Something beginning with B

Posted on 11 November 2009 by

Imagine confining yourself to a single letter. “Platoon” and “Peter Pan” in a month watching only films starting with “P”. Cornflakes and carrot-cake on a day devoted to food beginning with “C”. For their winter concerts on November 21, 22 … Continue reading →

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