New music to be created for Drogheda under ‘Per Cent for Art’ scheme
Drogheda Borough Council has commissioned a new musical composition to be premiered during celebrations later this year to mark the 600th anniversary of the town’s Charter.
Using funding from the ‘Per Cent for Art’ scheme that applies to one per cent of the budget for all public sector capital projects, the Council has commissioned Belfast-born Brian Irvine, Associate Composer with the Ulster Orchestra and Visiting Professor of Creative Arts at the University of Ulster.
The musical composition will be funded with €30,000 allocated for spending on art as part of the investment in new social housing at Boice Court, Mell.
The work created by Mr Irvine will have its premiere in November when the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra join local musicians to perform in Drogheda as part of the celebrations marking 600 years since the town was unified on both sides of the Boyne in 1412.
Joan Martin, Drogheda Town Clerk and Director of Services, Louth Local Authorities, said: “People will be familiar with sculptures and other public art installations commissioned at roadside and other locations in Louth and across the country under the ‘per cent for art’ scheme since 1988. On this occasion, the decision has been taken to go with a different art form and commission one of Ireland’s leading contemporary composers to create a Drogheda piece of music.
“The process of developing this music will give local musicians and choirs a great chance to work with Brian Irvine in helping to shape the sound of Drogheda for this and future generations.
“There was a competitive process to select the composer who’d lead this work with Mark Duley, organist and director of music at Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin and former Drogheda Arts Officer Rosemary Collier who is now director and CEO, Kilkenny Arts Festival, engaged in that regard. Both Mark and Rosemary have extensive knowledge and expertise to draw on and we’re delighted that in Brian Irvine, they have selected the very best.”
Brian Harten, County Arts Officer, Louth Local Authorities, added: “To have a composer of the calibre of Brian Irvine working on a piece for Drogheda is really exciting, and it will benefit the many groups and individuals from the area who will work alongside him. Brian has already been in contact with Drogheda’s two brass bands about performing the piece, and will be putting together a specially-formed 400-person massed choir from Drogheda for the premiere with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra.”
.gif)