Concorde performs music by 21st century Irish women on 17 April.

Concorde presents a concert of music by a selection of Irish women composers to close the international conference, Women and Music in Ireland, at NUI Maynooth on Saturday April 17.

The works represent a variety of styles and instrumentation but were all written in the 21st century and have featured in programmes presented by Concorde at the National Gallery of Ireland in recent years.

Alyson Barber's music is inspired by Irish legends and music and the poetry of Eoghan O Tuairisc, Emma O'Halloran's by the poetry of Paul Verlaine ('your soul is a chosen landscape').  Elaine Agnew has chosen the poetry of Michael Longley, imagining a bed as a vast, white snowscape.

Deirdre McKay's quartet is visual in its concept, painting a picture of lonely cuttlefish, retreating from the world in a brown cloud of sepia.  Rhona Clarke's improvisations for solo alto flute open a vista for your imagination and Jane O'Leary's interlocking textures for voice and 3 high instruments treat sound in a sculptural way.  The concert is sponsored by IMRO.

Prior to the event, Concorde is holding an open rehearsal (part of National Music Day) on Friday April 16, 4 – 5.30 pm at the DIT Conservatory of Music & Drama, Rathmines (opposite Swan Centre). All Welcome!

Conference on Women and Music in Ireland.

Renehan Hall, National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Saturday 17 April 2010, 6.30 pm-7.30 pm. Open to the public.