Christmas message from CMC

Mon 22 Dec 2014
Adrian Hart performing in CMC on Culture Night Adrian Hart performing in CMC on Culture Night

As another busy and productive year for CMC draws to a close, we look back on the many musical experiences that have made 2014 a special year for us as we continue to document, develop and promote Contemporary Music on the island and abroad.

Through creative partnerships with many individuals and organisations, at national and international level, CMC was able to deliver exciting seminars, library exhibitions, performances, launches, interviews, commissioning projects, professional development workshops and more, reflecting the vibrant world of new Irish music around the island.

The CMC Board, staff and I are proud to have delivered three new commissions for children and young people, commissioned by Wicklow County Council under the Per Cent for Art Scheme on behalf of Music Generation Wicklow; launched curated catalogues of Irish choral music and developed a companion web site for Benjamin Dwyer’s book, Different Voices: Irish Music and Music in Ireland, and hosted the official launch. This year we also piloted the first CMC summer camp and continued to present the successful CMC salon series.

We had the great pleasure of travelling to represent Irish composers around the country, hosting events in partnership with Waterford New Music Week, Walled City Music Festival, Derry; Moving on Music, Belfast Music Society, Limerick Sings and Music for Galway.

Anna Murray (AIC), Dave Flynn and Jonathan Grimes (CMC) attending the ISCM World Music Days/IAMIC conference in Poland Anna Murray (AIC), Dave Flynn and Jonathan Grimes (CMC) attending the ISCM World Music Days/IAMIC conference in Poland

The Centre was also represented internationally with attendance at the ISCM World Music Days and IAMIC annual conference in Wroclaw, Poland, where composer Dave Flynn presented a talk on Irish traditional music in contemporary music and participated as the Irish partner in the pan-European network new music:new audiences, alongside Crash Ensemble and the Galway Music Residency ConTempo Quartet.

Thanks to all of you who have helped make 2014 such a successful year for new music from Ireland and continued success to all the composers we are honoured to represent and the performers who champion their works. We anticipate an interesting and stimulating year ahead!

Best wishes for a peaceful holiday season and a musically prosperous 2015 from all of us here at 19 Fishamble Street!