Does the media under-represent Irish composers? Is new music too abstract for the media? A half-day seminar in the Contemporary Music Centre on 28 January will explore these and other questions.

The points of view of the media, the composer and the audience will be represented by guest speakers Hugh Linehan, Editor, The Ticket (Thursday supplement with The Irish Times); Raymond Deane, composer; and Agnes Cogan, avid concert-goer. The seminar will be chaired by Doireann Ní Bhriain, Arts Consultant with many years experience working in the arts and media. The audience will include key figures from Ireland's music, media and arts life to further contribute to the lively discussion and debate.

Contemporary music or new music refers to music of the 20th and 21st centuries. It is the music that modern-day composers are creating. It is often seen as esoteric, unrelated to reality, with no meaning or emotion. In today's society, easily swayed by mass culture, it is becoming increasingly more important in order to abolish this stereotype for composers to communicate with the media and for the media to embrace this "other" "new" way of making music.

This seminar aims to look at the relationship between Irish composers, the media and audiences, to discuss the needs and responsibilities of each group and to explore new ways of working together.

This first seminar in CMC's 2004 Events Series runs from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm. Admission is free but due to limited space places should be booked in advance with Karen Hennessy, khennessy@cmc.ie or telephone: 01 - 673 1922.

This seminar is made possible through the continued support of The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.