A circle has no beginning or end. It is infinite.
Galway Music Residency is pleased to present its innovative new collaboration Full Circle as part of the 2024 Galway International Arts Festival Programme.
Full Circle takes you on a captivating musical journey with a collective of Galway musicians exploring cyclical structures, and themes of home and beyond. This meditative yet dynamic blend of string quartet, piano and Indonesian gamelan is performed by ConTempo Quartet, musician-composer Bianca Gannon and In Flow Gamelan Group, a pitched percussion ensemble of performers with intellectual disabilities.
Full Circle is the latest of many collaborations in Galway Music Residency’s innovative history of exploring genre and art from fusion, with its Ensemble in Residence ConTempo Quartet at the core. In this iteration Indonesian gamelan takes centre stage, a percussion ensemble composed predominantly of tuned gongs of various types and metal-keyed instruments.
Dedicated to accessibility and the right for all of Galway’s citizens to engage with music as audience members, students or musicians, Galway Music Residency is delighted to be working with In Flow Gamelan Ensemble. This vibrant musical group was established in 2016 and comprises of five talented players with intellectual disabilities, and led by musicians Andrew Madec and Aengus Hackett. Supported by That’s Life, an acclaimed arts programme offered by the Brothers of Charity Services in Galway, In Flow receives the encouragement and resources necessary to thrive. That’s Life is renowned for its commitment to providing individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to explore and develop their artistic talents. Through collaboration with established artists and participation in top-tier arts programmes, participants like those from In Flow are empowered to unlock their full creative potential and share their artistry with the world.
The collaboration is facilitated by Galway-born Musician-Composer Bianca Gannon. Inspired by her decade-long exchange with Indonesia, Bianca performs resonance-drenched piano and percussion at the same time. As a composer, in revealing parallels between seemingly disparate elements, Bianca is inspired by that which connects us. Full Circle will feature a number of compositions by Bianca including a new work commissioned specially for this performance.
Tickets cost €16 and can be booked at www.giaf.ie/festival/event/full-circle
Full Circle is a music and sound experience exploring cyclical patterns by a collective of Galway performers. Indonesian gamelan ensemble, string quartet and piano combine to create a unique soundscape. We are looking forward to presenting this intriguing event which brings together Galway’s Ensemble in Residence ConTempo Quartet, Galway composer and performer Bianca Gannon and In Flow Gamelan Group.
In Flow, led by musicians Andrew Madec and Aengus Hackett, is an ensemble of performers with intellectual disabilities supported by The Brothers of Charity Services’ award-winning That’s Life Arts Programme.