This year's Irish Composition Summer School was very successful.

The 27th annual summer school took place at the DIT Conservatory of Music, Rathmines, Dublin, from 23-31 July. The course directors were composers Martin O'Leary and Nicola LeFanu. Students experienced a strenuous schedule of lectures and tutorials, working on music for horn trio. They also had seminars on technology from Ian Brabazon and on professional development by John McLachlan of the Association of Irish Composers.

Guest director Judith Ring gave presentations on her works over three days and all of the students had the opportunity to discuss their work with her in tutorials, which the students found insightful and inspirational. Composers also had a group presentation on conceptualisation involving a panel of guest composers: Sean Clancy, Linda Buckley, Judith Ring, Benedict Schlepper Connolly and Peter Moran, all of whom are past students now pursuing careers in composition.

Towards the end of the course, students and staff concentrated on the important task of recording the works produced during the course. The Clarion Horn Trio (Ian Dakin, Elaine Clark and John Clark) workshopped the pieces expertly and with remarkable professionalism. The works were recorded by Martin O'Leary and Ian Brabazon.

The ICSS would like to thank Dr Cliona Doris and DIT Conservatory of Music for their generous hosting of the Summer School in 2008. The administrators and course directors also wish to thank The Arts Council and IMRO, the Irish Music Rights Organisation, for their sponsorship of this most worthwhile event.

Posted: 4 September 2009