Dave Flynn is presented with PhD from DIT

On 29th October 2011 at a ceremony in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, composer Dave Flynn was presented with a PhD for his composition-based dissertation Traditional Irish Music: A Path to New Music. He undertook his studies under the supervision of Dr. Jane O’Leary at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The dissertation was highly praised by external examiner Dr Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and internal examiner Dr John Feeley. Flynn becomes the first person to complete a composition-based PhD through the DIT.

(Dave Flynn pictured with his research supervisor Dr Jane O’Leary)

The dissertation is an important document in relation to the interaction between traditional Irish music and contemporary Irish composition. A body of 9 new compositions was written by Flynn with the aid of his research. These works include Aontacht: A Concerto for Traditional Irish Musician and Orchestra, composed for Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, String Quartet No.3: The Keening, composed for the Con Tempo Quartet and a series of new concert works composed exclusively for traditional musicians, including the first known set of Études for Uilleann Pipes which were composed for Mick O’Brien.

Flynn’s latest composition Quirk No.7 Slides, Cuts, Rolls and Crans receives its world premiere on 13th November in the Rubicon Gallery, Dublin where it will be premiered by the new music ensemble Concorde who commissioned the work with the aid of a Project Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. The piece will receive two performances between 2-5 pm in a marathon of new music featuring several other Irish composers including Flynn’s doctoral supervisor  Jane O’Leary. Admission is free.