438K

For Immediate Release

Choirland - An Anthology of Irish Choral Music

19 October 2012

The Contemporary Music Centre, in association with the National Chamber Choir of Ireland and Association of Irish Choirs, this week publishes Choirland – An Anthology of Irish Choral Music.

The book is a collection of 15 pieces by Irish composers for unaccompanied mixed choir. The pieces have been selected with the intention of presenting a series of Irish works ranging in difficulty and style that will be suitable for amateur and semi-professional choirs, but also of interest to the wider choral community.

The book is accompanied by a CD recording of the music by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland conducted by its Artistic Director Paul Hillier, as well as performance notes by Anne Barry and Alan Leech intended to aid conductors and singers, whether performing the pieces for the first time or looking for fresh approaches to familiar repertoire.

The project has been realised with funding from The Arts Council/An Chomairle Ealaíon and is an important initiative in the context of the Council's commitment to realising objectives set out in the choral policy document 'Raising Your Voice'. The works were composed between 1951 and 2011, marking the first 60 years of the Arts Council. It is the first time all three partners have worked together in an initiative of this kind. The anthology was officially launched by Dinny McGinley T.D. Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht at a reception held at the Arts Council on 18 October.

Choirland is available for sale from the Contemporary Music Centre (full details below)
www.cmc.ie/shop/choirland

NOTES FOR EDITORS

Further information: Sam Wilcock, Promotion Manager, Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8 (tel. 01 673 1922 / email: swilcock@cmc.ie / web site: www.cmc.ie)

Choirland
An Anthology of Irish Choral Music

Choirland is a collection of 15 pieces by Irish composers for unaccompanied mixed choir. The music ranges in difficulty from the simple to perform, to the more challenging. From arrangements of traditional melodies, new settings of familiar texts and strikingly original works, the selection encompasses a wide array of styles, which illustrate the diversity and vibrancy of Irish choral music. Each piece is presented with performance notes designed to aid conductors and singers alike, and the book includes a CD recording of the music by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland conducted by its Artistic Director Paul Hillier.

Choirland is published by the Contemporary Music Centre and has been produced in partnership with the Association of Irish Choirs and National Chamber Choir of Ireland with funding from The Arts Council/An Chomairle Ealaíon.

Contents:

Gerald Barry (b.1952) Long time (2011)
Enda Bates (b.1979) Pauper's Lament (2010)
Seóirse Bodley (b.1933) I will walk with my love (1981)
Brian Boydell (1917-2000) Come Sleep (1964)
Rhona Clarke (b.1958) Regina Coeli (from Two Marian Anthems) (2007)
Frank Corcoran (b.1944) Caoine (1975)
Séamas De Barra (b.1955) Ave Maria (1985)
David Fennessy (b.1976) chOirland (2002)
Aloys Fleischmann (1910-1922) Na Trí Captaení Loinge (1956)
Ben Hanlon (b.1952) Molaimis go léir an tAon-Mhac Críost (2008)
Colin Mawby (b.1936) Alleluia, Christus resurrexit (1986)
Fiontán Ó Cearbhaill (1922-1981) Suantraí ár Slánaitheora (1979)
Éamonn Ó Gallchobhair (1900-1982) An Teitheadh go hÉigipt (1975)
Eric Sweeney (b.1948) There is no rose (1981)
Gerard Victory (1921-1995) Sliabh Geal gCua (1982)

Performance notes by Anne Barry and Alan Leech

CD recording by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland; Paul Hillier, conductor. This CD is intended for rehearsal/private use only and is not available on sale separately.

Catalogue no. CMC 6001
ISMN 979-0-9002172-0-2

Publication date 18 October 2012

Price: EUR 20.00

Available on sale from:

The Contemporary Music Centre, 19 Fishamble Street, Dublin 8
Tel: 01 673 1922
Email: shop@cmc.ie
Web: www.cmc.ie/shop/choirland

The Contemporary Music Centre
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. It engages in an ongoing programme of development work to promote new Irish music at home and abroad, and is a member of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC). The Centre is used, nationally and internationally, by performers, composers, promoters and members of the public interested in finding out more about music in Ireland. Its library and sound archive, open to the public free of charge, contain the only comprehensive collection in existence of music by Irish composers. Extensive reference and advice services are available and the Centre's website provides access to CMC's resources for those who cannot visit in person.
www.cmc.ie

National Chamber Choir of Ireland
The National Chamber Choir of Ireland is the country's flagship choral ensemble. Under the internationally celebrated and multi award winning choral conductor Paul Hillier as Artistic Director, the choir is known for its unique approach to programming and has gained a reputation for the high artistic quality of its performances. Since its inception, the choir has made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary Irish choral music through the commissioning of new work. It has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network around the country. The choir has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and South America and in 2011 undertook its first US tour with the assistance of Culture Ireland as part of Imagine Ireland, a year of Irish Arts in America 2011. It works regularly with other distinguished Irish performing ensembles including the Crash Ensemble, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble enjoys a unique relationship with Cork International Choral Festival, with which it collaborates on an annual basis as Choir in Residence. Principal funding for the National Chamber Choir of Ireland comes from the Arts Council/an Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Fund and major in-kind support from Dublin City University, where the ensemble has been Choir in Residence since 1996.
www.nationalchamberchoir.com

Association of Irish Choirs
The Association of Irish Choirs (formerly Cumann Náisiúnta na gCór) was founded in 1980 and is a national resource organisation, funded by the Arts Council, to support and promote excellence in choral music on the island of Ireland. The Association fulfils its function as a national resource organisation by providing information and advice to choirs and conductors and by presenting a range of programmes and activities designed to respond to the needs of Association members, the wider choral community and the public.
www.aoic.ie