Áine Mallon (b.1994) is an award winning, Irish born composer. Her music engages with the fundamental human experience of storytelling and has been described as “Traditional yet fresh and new” (- John Rutter CBE).
She is quickly making a name for herself as a sought after composer of both Irish folk and Contemporary Classical music, and is frequently commissioned by ensembles and promoters from within both genres.
Her current commissions see her working with world class ensembles and soloists such as
the ORA Singers, Kirkos Ensemble, the New Sounds Ensemble at the Deal Music and Arts Festival, the Irish Youth Training Choir, members of the Sibiu Philharmonic, Michael McHale (piano), Katalin Koltai (solo guitar), and Michael Trainor (solo violin); with previous commissions and performances from the Psappha Ensemble, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble, the Piatti Quartet, Ad solem Chamber Choir, and Manchester University Chorus.
Her music has been performed in many festivals such as the Aldeburgh Festival (premiere 2022), Deal Music and Arts Festival (premiere 2022), West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Clifden Arts Festival, Icon Arts Festival (Romania), Dublin Culture Night; and in venues across Ireland and the UK such as Henry Wood Hall, London and the National Concert Hall of Ireland and the Seamus Heaney Homeplace, and Elizabeth Gaskell’s House (Manchester).
Áine has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and prizes from distinguished organisations across Ireland and the UK. She was selected as the Contemporary Music Centre of Ireland ‘Emerging Composer’ 2020/2021. She was also selected for the Psappha Ensemble ‘Composing For’ scheme to create and record a new work with members of Psappha, 2021.
Áine was selected the winner of the 2019 ORA Singers Composer competition and audience prize by a panel of esteemed judges including Stephen Fry, John Rutter CBE, Susanna Eastburn MBE and Katie Tearle MBE. Conducted by Suzi Digby OBE and sung by the award winning ORA Singers, Áine’s “imaginative and folk inspired reflection touched the hearts of the judges and audience members alike.” She has also been a recipient of the 2017/18 ‘Emerging Artists Award’ from nationally acclaimed organisation Moving on Music.
Furthermore, in 2019 Áine was commissioned by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to write a large scale folk suite based on the history and heritage of Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone, which was received to critical acclaim. The 20 piece cross-community instrumental and vocal work brought together the Scottish and Irish traditions in a euphoric celebration of the culture and heritage of the area. This piece titled ‘The Beating Heart of Ulster’ was commissioned by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Dun Uladh, the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association N.Ireland branch and Fermanagh and Omagh district council and Artsland; and was premiered across the North of Ireland by the Two Traditions Orchestra in November 2019.
Áine is gratefully supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council England.
