The opening event of the 2005 Sligo New Music Festival (1-3 April) will feature a new work by Simon Mawhinney.

The young Belfast-born composer will perform a new score to the silent classic, Nosferatu, for piano and electronics. Mawhinney will also give a late-evening piano recital on the second night of the festival.

Other events include three performances from the guest ensemble Ixion with music from the maverick English composer Andrew Toovey; and music by Feldman, Judith Weir, Andrew Hamilton and Deirdre Mackay.

A highlight of the festival is set to be the composition competition, open to all composers living in Ireland or the UK. Entrants should submit a work for three, four or all five of the following instruments: flute, B flat clarinet, piano, violin or cello. Works should be no more than ten minutes in duration. The prize is 1,000 plus a performance and the entrance fee is 15. The deadline for entries is 28 January 2005.

Further information from Aoife Flynn, email aoifeflynn@modelart.ie or 00353-(0)71-814 1405.