Galway Music Residency is delighted to offer our Ensemble Skills Summer Course again this year, from 15-17 June 2024. This non-residential course is aimed at young string players aged 10-18 years old and will take place on the University of Galway campus in Galway city. The three-day programme is a great opportunity for young musicians to deepen their chamber music and ensemble skills under the expert guidance of GMR’s ensemble-in-residence, ConTempo Quartet, and conductor and musician, Sinead Hayes.

Young violinists, violists and cellists can apply for limited places on the Intermediate Course (Grade 3-5) or the Advanced Course (Grade 6-8+). Participants will have the opportunity to explore well-known works from the classical string quartet canon as well exciting contemporary works. This year’s course will also involve an improvisation skills element.

The course is free, with an administration fee of €35. Application deadline is Friday 3 May.

Apply here now!

NOTE: The application form must be filled out by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age.

PRIMARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

GMR presents free educational workshops with ConTempo Quartet to primary school children from Galway city and county.

SECONDARY SCHOOL WORKSHOPS

GMR runs workshops for Junior and Leaving Certificate students and staff on topics related to the curricula. If you or your school is interested in attending a workshop, please contact us at info@thegalwaymusicresidency.ie or 091-586706.

ATU

GMR worked with and was supported by, ATU (formerly GMIT). 

University of Galway

University of Galway has supported GMR since its inception and a beautiful partnership has developed between the two organisations in the intervening years. In 2017, University of Galway officially became an Education Partner to GMR under a five-year agreement. Learn more about this partnership below. 

CULTURE NIGHT

ConTempo Quartet’s participation is one of the headline events for Galway City Culture Night with a lunchtime event in partnership with University of Galway and other performances throughout the city.

LIBRARIES

GMR works with local libraries on various education programmes, most recently a book club project for communities who wanted to explore the written word in a new way. This Lifelong Learning Book Club looked at text with the added dimension of relating it to musical performance which is facilitated by ConTempo Quartet. 

CONNECTING WITH CONTEMPO

Connecting with ConTempo is our ‘at-home’ series aimed at keeping in touch with our audiences by delivering beautiful music and musical insight. You can view all editions of this initiative via our YouTube channel.

CREATIVE RESPONSES

Creative Responses is the community outreach branch of our Connecting with ConTempo initiative, which invites local artists and writers to explore a deep connection to music and ConTempo Quartet within their own art form. The results so far have been exquisite with contributions from artists and writers throughout Galway! You can view all editions of this initiative via our YouTube channel. 

University of Galway has supported GMR since its inception and a beautiful partnership has developed between the two organisations in the intervening years. In 2017, University of Galway officially became an Education Partner to GMR under a five-year agreement. Through this partnership, GMR works with staff and students on a variety of programmes.

BA in Music

In September 2018, University of Galway had its first intake of students on the newly formed BA with Music. Since then, GMR has been delighted to work with the head of school, Dr Aidan Thomson, devising workshops built around live performance in the classroom as ConTempo Quartet bring students' scores to life. GMR also offers placements to students of the BA to gain valuable experience in event management, social media management, programming, archiving and more.

MA in Writing

GMR with ConTempo Quartet is working with Dr John Kenny and the MA in Writing students at University of Galway. Workshops with the Quartet are being integrated into the course, exposing students to another contemporary art form, to inspire their study and writing.

Orchestra

ConTempo Quartet provide mentoring to the University of Galway Concert Orchestra.

MSc in Information Systems Management

GMR is committed to inter-departmental work. The website you are currently enjoying is the result of a partnership with students from the MSc in Information Systems Management on an exciting venture. Thank you Rose, Marvin, Hemant, Lakhya and Subhodeep!

Alumni Ensemble 
GMR also enjoys collaboration with the University of Galway Alumni Ensemble on performances and recordings.