Welcome from Chairperson of the Board, Keith Warnock
Launching a GMR programme reminds us that we continue to return to normality after years of change. We’re grateful to all those who have enabled us to navigate that period successfully, including the Arts Council of Ireland, the Galway City and County Councils, University of Galway and our community at large. It’s good to turn to a fresh page of our story and we hope you will join us along the way.
Welcome from Chairperson of the Artistic Committee, Sinead Hayes
The music in our very special 20th anniversary season will delight and enlighten, enrich and reward. Huge thanks to Bogdan, Ingrid, Andreea, Adrian, Robbie and Jane in helping to craft this musical adventure. Through it, we explore the new and the familiar and step onwards towards a rich future for music in Galway.Welcome from Acting Executive Director, Robbie Blake
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this Spring-Summer programme that celebrates music’s power to bring people together. My sincere thanks to an incredible staff team, past and present – Jacqueline Teegarden, Aoibhe Coogins, Maeve Bryan and Orla Henihan – and the incredible Board and Artistic teams whose work has made this programme possible. Finally, to our communities of young players and audiences: you are the beating heart of GMR! We can’t wait to share this music with you.
LUNCHTIME WITH CONTEMPO
To mark the 20th anniversary of becoming Galway’s Ensemble-in-Residency, ConTempo Quartet looks back and looks forward with a programme of favourite composers and lesser-heard works. Click here for more information.
CONTEMPO COUNTYWIDE
Continuing its commitment to bringing performance to local centers throughout County Galway, GMR is dedicated to working with local groups, schools, and partners. Click here for more information.
ENSEMBLE SKILLS SUMMER COURSE
The Galway Music Residency and ConTempo Quartet will host an Ensemble Skills Summer Course in University of Galway from Saturday 3 June to Monday 5 June 2023 for string players aged 10-20. Click here for more information.
STRINGS ATTACHED
Looking ahead, we are pleased to share a sneak peek into later this year. In July, Galway Music Residency hosts a special festive celebration for our 20th anniversary: Strings Attached. A programme of new and existing collaborations that transcends genre boundaries to celebrate music as a universal language of connection, community and celebration.
ConTempo Quartet is joined by a star-studded cast of Galway-based, national and international artists to move across jazz, traditional and classical music. One of the many highlights included is the world premiere of a new commission by Bill Whelan. We are delighted to present these events with the Galway International Arts Festival.
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
Working with young learners is a very important part of GMR’s Education objectives. We believe the opportunity to engage with inspiring musicians from a young age will lead to greater joy and engagement in music. Through this work we offer high-quality music access across ages, circumstances and geographies.
GMR presents free educational workshops with ConTempo Quartet to primary school children from Galway city and county. We also run workshops for Junior and Leaving Certificate students focused on aural skills and 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.
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
The University of Galway has supported GMR since its inception and a beautiful partnership has developed between the two organizations in the intervening years. Through this partnership, GMR works with staff and students on a variety of programmes including the BA in Music, the MA in Writing, University of Galway Orchestra and special events such as the annual Open Day. Working closely with Head of Music, Dr Aidan Thomson, GMR and ConTempo devise unique workshops around live performance in the classroom. Since 2019 we have been delighted to host a student intern from the Music Department each year, with our current intern, Aoibhe Coggins, joining GMR in spring 2023.
MASTERCLASS SERIES
As part of the Ensemble Skills Programme and in collaboration with Music for Galway, GMR hosted a masterclass with internationally renowned professional violinist Tedi Papavrami on February 14, 2023 at the O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway. Young local string players had a rare opportunity to work with Papavrami and receive technical and musical guidance.
In autumn, we look forward to partnering with MfG once again in this series with an opportunity for young musicians to learn from esteemed Irish percussionist Alex Petcu, who specialises in chamber and contemporary music.
CONNECTING KIDS WITH CONTEMPO - EXPANDED!
Connecting Kids with ConTempo - Expanded is a live programme designed to help primary school children interact with classical music. For use in the classroom, it is built around a suite of educational videos to support teachers in delivering the music curriculum of active listening.
With the AIB Community Fund, we will reach more children and schools throughout Galway city and county than ever before. Across socio-economic backgrounds and geographical location, this programme will deliver 100 free, in-person workshops, to 50 schools, reaching 2,500 pupils.
Are you a professional musician based in the Galway area with a keen interest in music education? Help us spark inspiration across Galway city and county! This programme will be delivered by ten professional musicians, including the ConTempo Quartet and other local musicians to help students engage with classical music in a fun and creative way. Contact us via email at info@thegalwaymusicresidency.ie.
INTERNATIONAL GUEST ARTIST, ESTONIA
Following on from a highly successful national pilot in 2022 with renowned guitairst Marco Ramelli, GMR will expand the scope of its position as a residency programme by adding an international element in partnership with the Arvo Pärt Centre in Tallinn, Estonia. Supported through the Arts Council's International Residency Initiative Scheme, GMR is delighted to host an artist or artists from Estonia, in partnership with the Estonian Embassy in the Autumn/Winter of 2023. Collaborating with ConTempo Quartet, the residency will see outputs in performance, education and community programmes.