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For Immediate Release

Making Music, Striking Sounds

The Contemporary Music Centre Celebrates Bealtaine

21 April 2008

The Contemporary Music Centre presents a workshop of music making on Friday 16 May 2008, 11am-1pm, to coincide with the nationwide festival, Bealtaine, celebrating creativity in older age.

Irish composer Kevin O'Connell will lead the group in a two-hour session exploring rhythm, timbre and other aspects of making music. Participants are invited to bring along any instruments they may have in their homes and use them during the workshop. Those without instruments will still be able to take part, as some will be available from CMC on the day. No previous musical knowledge or experience is required!

Kevin O'Connell is a Derry-born composer who studied music at Trinity College Dublin. He subsequently taught composition there and at Queen's University Belfast. Kevin now teaches composition at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He was artistic director of the 2005 RTÉ Living Music Festival and is a member of Aosdána, Ireland's state-sponsored academy of creative artists.

The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music, supporting the work of composers throughout the Republic and Northern Ireland. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The workshop takes place in the library in The Contemporary Music Centre. Admission is free but places are limited so booking is essential. To find out more and to book a place please contact Aoife FitzPatrick, Promotion Officer, The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8, phone 01 673 1922 or email afitzpatrick@cmc.ie.

Notes for Editors
Bealtaine is the Irish national arts festival celebrating creativity in older age. It takes place each May countrywide and involves hundreds of events in every art form. Taking its name from the ancient Celtic festival celebrating springtime, Bealtaine celebrates renewal, creativity and growth in ageing. Bealtaine is co-ordinated by Age & Opportunity -- the national agency working to promote greater participation by older people in society. For more information about Bealtaine events locall 1890 50 60 60 or visit www.bealtaine.com