Elaine Agnew is in rehearsal, putting the finishing touches to her latest work, The Whispers of Ghosts.

The large scale work for chorus and orchestra was funded by Wexford County Council through the Fardystown Public Art Commission. It was composed in collaboration with pupils from Mayglass, Murrintown and Piercestown Primary Schools and the Piercestown Active Retirement Group.

More than 150 pupils will join conductor David Brophy and the Irish Chamber Orchestra to premiere the work on Thursday May 27th.

Wexford County Council launched its first series of public art commissions in 2000. Previous projects have included outdoor sculpture, photography, paintings and mosaics.

The council launched its Music Development Programme in January 2003, and it was this body, in collaboration with the Fardystown Public Art Interest Group, that drew up the project brief.

Rosaleen Molloy, County Arts Officer, commented, ‘Wexford County Council has in recent years developed a very proactive and dynamic approach to the implementation of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s Percent for Art Scheme. This approach has enabled us to make significant achievements in public art, which has resulted in Wexford County Council being nationally recognised as a leading local authority for its innovation in this specialised field.’

The Whispers of Ghosts will be performed on Thursday 27th May in the Theatre Royal, Wexford.

For further information please contact the Arts Department of Wexford County Council, email arts@wexfordcoco.ie