A new approach to commissioning was explored in a joint project by the Contemporary Music Centre, Music Network and RTÉ Lyric FM last September. In advance of a nationwide Music Network tour by classical guitarist Craig Ogden which takes place in November of this year, the three organizations invited him to Dublin to meet Irish composers with the intention of commissioning a new work for performance on the tour. The project was supported by funding from the Critical Voices programme of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon.

The participation of the composers was mediated by CMC, which also provided the venue for a half-day workshop and meetings between Ogden and the composers. The new work for solo guitar will be a joint commission by Music Network and Lyric FM and will receive some 8-12 performances throughout Ireland in addition to radio coverage on Lyric. Temple Bar Properties provided in-kind support to the project in the form of a self-catering apartment for Craig Ogden’s accommodation in Dublin during the selection process.

The overall aim was to explore a partnership approach to the commissioning of new music in the belief that this will prove fruitful not only for the composer, the performer and the regional promoters, but also for the audience(s), both at the live concerts and via radio. Thus as the work gestates, the partner organizations will continue to facilitate close communication between performer and composer right through to the eventual public performances, in the process exploring a new relationship between the organizations themselves as well. Following an open call for participation sent to all Irish composers registered with CMC (a particularly welcome approach since so many commissioning opportunities are never publicly announced) seven composers took part in the two-day selection process. One of these, Ben Dwyer, was chosen by Craig Ogden and has now been commissioned to write a ten-minute work for his tour.

Feedback from those who took part was generally favourable. Any criticism centred around the detail of the mechanism whereby the performer and composers were acquainted with one another (i.e in a workshop session followed by one-to-one meetings with three shortlisted composers). Nevertheless, all the project partners and the composer participants, as well as Craig Ogden himself, agreed that the experience was a positive one, well worth repeating albeit with some modifications next time.

The opportunity to run similar projects in the future, perhaps on an annual basis, would be greatly welcomed.

Download the full project report in PDF format [~57K].