Outdoor performances of a new work by Vincent Kennedy have been very well received.

The Hook: a Place and a People, a Per Cent for Art commission in association with Slieve Coiltia, Campile & Ashgrove, and Fethard-on-Sea Housing Schemes, features the New Ross & District Pipe Band and the New Ross Holy Confraternity Band.

The composition, which is about 50 minutes long, is in ten movements and also features a large percussion ensemble with electronics and recorded sounds of the Hook lighthouse. It celebrates the uniqueness of South West Wexford through music.

The first performances, conducted by the composer himself, took place in Fethard Community Hall on 5 June and outdoors at the Hook Lighthouse on Sunday 31 July. The work will be performed again on 24 September in the National Concert Hall, Dublin in a separate concert organized by the composer.

The commission is funded and supported by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the Per Cent for Art scheme and is co-ordinated by the Arts Department of Wexford County Council.

Further information from The Arts Department, Wexford County Council, County Hall, Wexford. Tel: 053. 76369 / 76441 Email: arts@wexfordcoco.ie

Posted: 1 September 2005