The Composer / Performer Dialogue @ DIT Conservatory of Music 4pm, 30.11.12

This is the second instalment of this lecture presentation, providing a view into the intriguing world of a brass chamber music ensemble collaborating with composers to present a concert of new music, based on the vox merus / Irish Composers' Collective programme Impure Voices.

A case study of composer David Bremner's new work for brass quintet, Driving through the waste territories: (Winter), will be included, along with thoughts from the composer himself on his participation in the Impure Voices project.

Presented as part of DIT's Conservatory of Music lecture series.

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'Very entertaining & enjoyable. Engaged pupils very well. Great mix of information re instruments & performance of pieces.'

Therese Cronin,
Riverstown N.S.

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'Excellent concert. Well-pitched at students' level. Brilliant work choices. Interesting information given and easily understood.'

Ann Mannix,
Head of Music, Glanmire Community College

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'Excellent - enjoyed by all!'

Jean Uí Mhurchú 
Gaelscoil Chorain, Youghal

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'Superb - really enjoyable and educational.'

Olwen Anderson
Headteacher, St Luke's School, Douglas

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'Excellent - very entertaining & informative.'

Catherine Frost
Head of Music, Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig

Tuning Up 2012 - school feedback

'We really enjoyed your musical workshop.  It was most entertaining and pitched perfectly for primary school pupils.  Also, they learned a lot about the brass section of the ochestra and enjoyed the pupil participation.'

Gerard Coakley
Headteacher, Rusheen N.S.

Tuning Up 2012 school concert tour

Here's a link to the St Joseph's School, Macroom blog with feedback on our visit this week...

The Composer / Performer Dialogue @ Trinity College Dublin 1.11.12

This lecture presentation provides a view into the intriguing world of a brass chamber music ensemble collaborating with composers to present a concert of new music, based on the vox merus / Irish Composers' Collective programme Impure Voices.

Presented as part of Trinity College Dublin's Music Composition Centre lecture series, CPD was extremely well received by all who attended and generated interesting points of discussion in the concluding Q&A.

Thanks to Irish Composers' Collective's Natasa Paterson (Trinity Doctoral candidate, attending UCLA this academic year) whose piece DOMU served as the case study for this particular talk. An attempt was made to include Natasa in the actual conversation but the gods of VOIP communication had other plans...

Impure Voices: vox merus & Irish Composers' Collective (TRAILER)

Here's the link to the trailer for a final video chronicling the Impure Voices project that vox merus did with the Irish Composers' Collective in May 2012...more information to follow on our website.

ICC Composer Video Q&A's

We've removed the ICC Composer Video Q&A's to make way for a new video (in production) that will present the project as a whole...watch this space...

vox merus video blog: Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Conal Ryan

Conal Ryan's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Anna Murray

Anna Murray's Q&A

vox merus video blog: David Bremner

David Bremner's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Daniel Barkley

Daniel Barkley's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Natasa Paterson

Natasa Paterson's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Matthew Whiteside

Matthew Whiteside's Q&A

vox merus video blog: Peter Moran

Peter Moran's Q&A

vox merus video blog ICC Composer Q&A's

Irish Composers Collective Composer Q&A

1 One interesting biographical fact.
2 How did you become part of the Irish Composers Collective?
3 Why write for brass quintet?
4 What does the title of your piece mean?
5 Advice for performers of your work?
6 Advice for audiences hearing your work?
7 Describe your musical style in one sentence.
8 Favourite musical experience to date?
9 Favourite composer / performer? Why?
10 Your views on the future for live contemporary classical music?
11 Future plans for you?

Repertoire & Composers

Will We See Light by Matthew Whiteside
Five on a Treasure Island by Daniel Barkley
Driving through the waste territories: (Winter) by David Bremner
Bounding by Conal Ryan
Neva Choble No by Peter Moran
Nebule by Anna Murray
Domu by Natasa Paterson
Sanctus Choral by Naomi Campbell

YouTube video links for each composer's answers to follow...

vox merus video blog on YouTube...

A new YouTube channel introduced to augment the upcoming Irish Composers Collective concert on 31st May...regularly updated videos of the ICC composers talking about their works, vox merus in rehearsal, player comments and audience feedback.


Tomorrow (23.4.12): ICC composer Peter Moran and his brass quintet Neva Choble No

Five Run Away Together

A huge thank you to David McCune at Ventry Studios for a thoroughly professional and enjoyable session yesterday as he worked his magic to help us to capture Daniel Barkley's Five Run Away Together. Daniel (and brother Michael!) were on hand to provide musical direction and to ensure that we presented his writing in the best light possible. A big thanks to everyone, watch for the release of this track on a new compilation by Alex Kidston, hopefully later in 2012...

Irish Composer's Collective 2012

vox merus are very proud to continue their association with the ICC (that's where we originally met Daniel Barkley!)

new works for brass quintet by ICC composers
Thursday 31st May, 8.30pm
Kevin Barry Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin

more to follow...

Five Run Away Together...to Ventry Studios...

Finally, February 2012 sees a studio recording of the new work by composer Daniel Barkley, Five Run Away Together. This piece was extremely popular with vox merus and audiences alike, a real breath of fresh air for the brass quintet repertoire.

Watch this space for updates and release details...

Happy 2012!