Composer Brian Irvine is working on an education project with primary schools in Northern Ireland.

Written for string quartet and school choirs, A Marvellous Medicine is an amalgamation of the writing of Roald Dahl and music by Irvine. Presented by the Ultan String Quartet, four local Derry-based primary schools, and students from the University of Ulster, the final performance will be held in Derry’s Waterside Theatre on Saturday 8 April at 7.00pm.

‘The underlying aim of the project is to design a piece of music which embraces a cross-section of primary school classes and abilities and not just those who are involved in the school choir or who play an instrument,’ says Irvine.

Together these groups, working alongside the composer, have aimed to create something fantastically original. ‘Ask any primary school class if they have ever heard of Roald Dahl and I guarantee you will be confronted by a sea of waving arms. The natural rhythm and cheeky energy of his writing makes the move into song effortless and fun… I hope this final performance captures the wild and marvellous spirit of the “marvellous medicine” that is Roald Dahl,’ he said.

A Marvellous Medicine is presented by UU Cultural Development, Live Music Now and the Waterside Theatre.

Tickets for the performance are free of charge but due to limited space must be booked in advance.

For further information and booking, contact Cultural Development Office at the University of Ulster, Magee campus on (028) 7137 5456 or n.pearce@ulster.ac.uk

Jonathan Bailie

Posted: 27 March 2006