The programme for the fifth Waterford New Music Week, which takes place from 26 - 30 January 2004, has been announced. Funded by Waterford Institute of Technology, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Artswave, the IRMA Trust and Waterford City Council, guest artists include the Welsh-based PM Music Ensemble and the RTÉ Vanbrugh String Quartet. The featured composer this year is John Kinsella and premieres include a new work for youth orchestra and choirs specially commissioned from Gráinne Mulvey and funded by the Arts Council.

The PM Music Ensemble from Wales will perform works by Gerald Barry, John Kinsella and John Metcalf, as well as Schoenberg’s seminal Pierrot Lunaire, which is rarely performed in Ireland. Their participation is funded by Artswave, the INTERREG programme to promote contemporary arts of East Ireland and West Wales. They will also perform a lunchtime recital of student works.

The RTÉ Vanbrugh String Quartet will give masterclasses and, accompanied by John Kenny (trombone/carnyx), their recital programme includes Shostakovich’s Tenth Quartet, Eddie McGuire’s Zephyr for trombone, quartet and sound enhancement, and Nigel Osborne’s Forest, River, Ocean. The masterclass series, funded by the IRMA Trust, will be an ongoing feature throughout the week and includes classes in extended instrumental techniques, improvisation and composition.

The week also includes lunchtime recitals each day with guest artists including the Army Band of the First Southern Command under the baton of Capt. Liam Daly, and Josimar, a Waterford-based jazz ensemble. Eric Sweeney will perform works by Messiaen, Arvo Pärt and Sweeney on the recently restored Elliot Organ in Christ Church Cathedral, and Marian Ingoldsby and friends will play music by Joan Trimble, John Kinsella, Ingoldsby and local composers. Prior to the week, a Composers in the Community project supported by Waterford City Council will give students in schools around Waterford city the opportunity to experience first-hand what it is like to be a composer.

Further information: The Administrator, Waterford New Music Week Office, Waterford Institute of Technology, College Street Campus, Waterford. Email: waterfordnewmusic@eircom.net