Daniel Barkley's thoughts on vox merus @ HLG in Dublin 9.10.11

Daniel Barkley's Blog

Newcastle West, Co Limerick 06.10.11

A superb evening at the Desmond Complex, Gortboy, Newcastle West, Co Limerick - special thanks to Limerick City Council Arts Office, Vicki Nash (Newcastle West Arts), Leona (Desmond Complex) and the Phelan's!!!

Introduction to Brass, round 2....

looking forward to our upcoming shows:

lunchtime concert, Cork School of Music 30.9.11
evening recital, Newcastle West Arts 6.10.11
lunchtime concert, Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane 9.10.11
evening recital, Music for Galway 24.11.11

Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin 11.6.11

Performers 2011

Back row - Boon Beng Shu (piano), Don Black (guitar), Alan Perry (guitar),

Steve Mathieson (vox merus), Cormac O'Haodain (vox merus),

David Booth (guitar), Jonathan Seymour (piano), Charles Richards (MC),

Front row - Andrea Vonk (vox merus), Derek Seymour (organ), Alex Kidston (vox merus)

Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin 11.6.11

A wonderful evening raising funds for a good cause, special thanks to Marion Doherty, Derek Seymour, Charles Richards, the Church Committee and all of the musicians!

Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin 11.6.11

Birr Theatre & Arts Centre 7.5.11

An enjoyable time was had by all, and what a journey via GarryKennedy! Thanks to Lorraine & Dawn at the Theatre for taking care of us so brilliantly and for Martin at Townsend House B&B, a great place...

St John's, Knockainey, Co Limerick 6.5.11

A huge thank you to the Knockainey Historical & Conservation Society, Eliza & John specifically, for their wonderful hospitality - fantastic venue & audience, we enjoyed ourselves immensely!

Also, kudos to the Deebert House Hotel in Kilmallock - a fabulous home away from home!

Some images...

countdown to Knockainey & Birr

Limerick County Council Arts
Knockainey Historical & Conservation Society
Friday 6th May 2011
8.30pm
St. John's Church, Knockainey, Hospital, Co. Limerick
€10
bookings 087 680 3087

Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Saturday 7th May 2011
8pm
Oxmantown Hall, Birr, Co. Offaly
€16/14
bookings 057 912 2911

Introduction to Brass - Tour Schedule Update

Cork School of Music
Friday 30th September 2011
1.10pm lunchtime concert
Curtis Auditorium CIT Cork School of Music
admission free

Thoughts from a Wexford audience member...

...congratulations on a very good concert in Wexford on 27th March. I enjoyed the pieces by the Irish Composers'. However I felt the Groocock piece was very taxing on the players but did not yield to the audience the same energy that was input. This I would attribute to the message rather than the messengers. Furthermore, I would personally prefer to see brass promoted as part of this Island's Celtic Heritage and display the medium's versatility rather than a showcase for a limited number of works by Irish composers...

one Wexford audience member's comments, just received...

I was present at the recital by Vox Merus on yesterday afternoon at St. Iberius Church, Wexford and I want to congratulate the quintet on a wonderful programme of music for brass.  I enjoyed all of the pieces played especially Five Blows for Brass Quintet by Dr. Brian Boydell.  I suspect that the 3^rd movement , Tea for Two at Mitchell’s refers to Mitchell’s Tea and Wine Rooms where I am sure the composer may have enjoyed a cup or two of tea from time to time?  To me this movement had a definite cha-cha rhythm with the popular tune of yesteryear, I Want to be Happy echoed in the closing bars?  Just a thought!  The final Quintet for Brass by Sir Malcolm Arnold was a real ‘show stopper’ and was played with great enthusiasm, especially when your quintet had played your almost complete programme at that stage.  I do hope I will have the opportunity to hear Vox Meus on a future visit to Wexford.

Wishing your ‘tour’ every success and once again my congrats on a wonderful afternoon of music.

Introduction to Brass - tour schedule revision!

Limerick County Council Arts
Knockainey Historical & Conservation Society
Friday 6th May 2011
8.30pm
St. John's Church, Knockainey, Hospital, Co. Limerick
€10
bookings 087 680 3087


Birr Theatre & Arts Centre
Saturday 7th May 2011
8pm
Oxmantown Hall, Birr, Co. Offaly
€16/14
bookings 057 912 2911

Thank you very much for a wonderful concert experience yesterday afternoon in St. Iberius Church in Wexford! Music for Wexford and the Music Network made it possible for Vox Merus and the audience to relax and have a wonderful time playing and listening. 

Also, many thanks to all of the audience members who gave us very valuable information about the Irish composers, Joseph Groocock and Brian Boydell. The memories of Brian Boydell sitting with his big black lab as well as playing his piece for vacuum cleaner in the National Concert Hall were brilliant images, and put the characters of the composers in a greater context. The world premiere of Daniel Barkley's piece Five Run Away Together was received with great excitement.

A movement called Tango: Tea for Two at Mitchell's from Brian Boydell's Five Blows for Brass Quintet seemed to bring very vivid images for many who have visited Mitchell's Tea Shop, formerly of Grafton Street. The shop seems to have survived the years, but currently sells wine and whiskey on Kildare Street. A link with a bit of their history is below.

http://www.mitchellandson.com/about-us-a-112.html

If you have anything to add about the composers, the music or your concert experience in general, please feel free to contribute. We would love to hear from you! Our next concert will be on the 7th of May at the Birr Theatre and Arts Centre. Please spread the word if you know anyone in the area who might like to attend!

Thank you again for such a warm, wonderful afternoon! We sincerely hope that we can return to Wexford again, sooner rather than later!

countdown for Music for Wexford...

Sunday 27th March 2011
3.30pm
St Iberius Church
Anne Street, Wexford Town
€15/12/5 on the door
bookings 087 970 3377