Composers
Sebastian Adams
(b. 1991)Sebastian Adams (b. 1991) is an Irish composer, viola player and artistic director. He was Composer in Residence with RTÉ lyric fm in 2016/17.
Elaine Agnew
(b. 1967)In 2012 Elaine Agnew’s BBC Proms Commission ‘Dark Hedges’ was premiered by the Ulster Youth Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra and flautist Sir James Galway in London’s Royal Albert Hall, one reviewer
Michael Alcorn
(b. 1962)Michael Alcorn studied at the University of Ulster and completed a PhD in composition with John Casken at the University of Durham.
Farid Allawerdi
(1927 - 2007)Farid Allawerdi was born in Iraq.
David Armstrong
(1927 - 1992)David Armstrong was born in Essex, England, in 1927 and moved to Ireland at an early age.
June Armstrong
(b. 1951)June Armstrong is a piano teacher living and working in Belfast.
Derek Ball
(b. 1949)Derek Ball was born in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, studied in Dublin, and now lives in Glasgow. He studied composition at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with A. J. Potter and James Wilson.
Michael Ball
(b. 1946)Michael Ball was born in Manchester.
Alyson Barber
(b. 1983)Alyson Barber has composed an eclectic variety of pieces, including collaborations for theatre and animated shorts.
Sam Barker
(b. 1981)Sam Barker was born in Hampshire, England and has lived in Ireland since 1987.
Gerald Barry
(b. 1952)Gerald Barry was born in Clarehill, Clarecastle, County Clare, Ireland, in 1952, and studied with Stockhausen and Kagel.
Liam Bates
(b. 1965)Pages
This section introduces the music of Irish composers of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It is intended as a good starting point for anyone not familiar with Irish contemporary music.
Each composer's page provides a photo, a biography, most recent works added to CMC's collection and other information. You can also purchase CDs and scores by each composer, access features about the composers, or view any upcoming events which include their music.
An Irish composer is defined as anyone who was born or is permanently resident in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
For any Irish composers interested in registering with CMC, please see our guidelines on how to apply.