The interview will be conducted by Phil Udell, Editor of State.ie
BOOK NOW!
Those looking to reserve a place at this seminar should send an email to membership@nullimro.ie
(limited availability – no admission charge)
An element of this seminar will feature a demo listening session. A number of tracks will be selected during the course of the seminar to be critiqued by Debbie. If you would like to have a track of yours considered please bring along a copy of the song in CD format, making sure to clearly mark your name and the name of the track on the CD cover and a please include a typed or clearly written copy of the song lyrics.
Debbie Rose Biography
An active publisher and advocate of songwriters rights for over 20 years, Debbie Rose is Vice President of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. Shapiro Bernstein in one of Americas oldest independent publishing companies whose catalogue contains some of the world most enduring standards including In The Mood, The Way You Look Tonight and Ring Of Fire. Aside from the vast collections of classics, Shapiro also represents many contemporary songwriters penning hits like “I Gotta Feeling” sung by the Black Eyed Peas and the works of David Guetta. At Shapiro Bernstein, Debbie oversees all aspects of the company including; creative, royalty, copyright, licensing, business affairs and international. Prior to joining Shapiro Bernstein, Debbie was a music supervisor, independent publisher and spent many years as Director of Member Relations at ASCAP. She currently sits on a committee at MCPS/PRS and is a longtime Board of Director of the Association of Independent Music Publishers in New York.
Meteor Announced as Title Sponsor of
The Choice Music Prize – Irish Album of the Year
Introducing “Meteor Choice Music Prize Presents…An Evening with Snow Patrol”, the first in a series of exclusive music events.
Today Meteor announced a three year title sponsorship deal of the Meteor Choice Music Prize – Irish Album of the Year, with Broadcast Management & Events. After a long successful association with music, the operator’s latest sponsorship focuses on home grown bands and artists that are making their mark within the industry.
The winning act will receive a cheque for €10,000 courtesy of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), as well as a specially commissioned award by Recorded Artists and Performers (RAAP). HMV are the retail partners for the project while Culture Ireland will fund the attendance of key overseas delegates at the event.
The Choice Music Prize was established to highlight and promote the work of Irish musicians. It is unique in that the judging process focuses simply and solely on the music, as opposed to sales or airplay. The Meteor Choice Music Prize, Irish Album of the Year will be selected by well known music industry experts, with the winner receiving €10,000. The short list of nominees will be announced on 11th of January 2012.
The winning album will be selected at the Meteor Choice Music Prize live event in The Olympia, Dublin on Thursday 8th March 2012. The event will be broadcast live in a special Paul McLoone Show on Today FM with exclusive behind the scenes content and highlights of the gig through the operator’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/meteor.
Meteor and Choice Music Prize also today announced a series of exclusive events to celebrate the best of Irish music. The first will take place on 1st November when Meteor Choice Music Prize Presents…. an evening with Snow Patrol in the Button Factory, Dublin.
Tickets to this exclusive gig can only be won via Meteor’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/meteor, its twitter profile, @meteor_mobile and through Meteor’s Goodie Bag customer loyalty programme www.meteorgoodiebag.ie. Snow Patrol will play tracks from their new album along with fond favourites from their back catalogue of worldwide hits.
Commenting on the sponsorship, John Anslow, Meteor’s Head of Brand & Advertising said, “Meteor and music is a combination that works for our brand and resonates with our customers. After ten successful years with over one million euro raised for charity from the Meteor Ireland Music Awards, we are now delighted to move our focus to the grass roots Irish music landscape, celebrating the wealth of home grown talent within the country.
“Our association with Choice Music Prize will bring us even closer to music and better still our customers will get the opportunity to win tickets to our exclusive series of gigs, kicking things off with Snow Patrol. Music brings people together in the best way possible, and as your social network, this sponsorship is a perfect fit for Meteor”.
David Reid, the founder and organiser of the Choice Music Prize commented, “Meteor’s welcome involvement as title sponsor of the Choice Music Prize will enable the project to continue to highlight, showcase and promote the best of Irish music both domestically and abroad. We are excited at the prospect of expanding the project further and celebrating a new wave of Irish Artists over the coming years.”
The 7th annual prize will once again celebrate and acknowledge the best in Irish recorded music. The prize has become one of the highlights of the Irish musical calendar since its inception in 2005 and is awarded to the Irish Album of the Year, as chosen from a shortlist of ten releases by a panel of eleven Irish media professionals.
The Meteor Choice Music Prize websitehas published a comprehensive list of Irish albums released in 2011. It already represents the biggest number of releases in a year since the inception of the award. This list can be viewed and updated by logging onto www.choicemusicprize.com.
The recipients of the Choice Music Prize thus far are as follows:
2010: Two Door Cinema Club – Tourist History (Kitsune)
2009: Adrian Crowley – Season of the Sparks (Chemikal Underground)
2008: Jape – Ritual (V2/Cooperative Music)
2007: Super Extra Bonus Party – Super Extra Bonus Party(Alphabet Set)
2006: The Divine Comedy – Victory for the Comic Muse (Parlophone)
2005: Julie Feeney – 13 Songs (Julie Feeney)
Irish Times music journalist and critic Tony Clayton-Lea is the chairman of the judging panel. The project's organiser is David Reid of Broadcast Management & Events.
Westland Studios, one of Ireland's longest running facilities with a client list including U2, Bob Dylan, Thin Lizzy, The Cure and Bryan Adams, has been taken over by new management, producer and engineer Alwyn Walker. The studio which is situated in Dublin's city centre features an E series SSL 4048, soffit-mounted ATC monitors, an Otari MTR-100 tape machine and Baldwin grand piano.
"Westland always had an impressive gear list, but with my own mic collection and backline added, we can offer a much more comprehensive service than most other studios in Ireland." says Alwyn, who is upbeat about the future. "Taking on a big studio today is definately a risk but with the history, the facilities, the vibe and the gear, we're all set for a new chapter in Westland's story." Westland Studios now has a new website which can be seen at www.westlandstudiosdublin.com
For singer Méav Ni Mhaolchatha 's upcomingtwo Quebec solo concerts (29/30 September) with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Brendan Graham has created a special interlinked song cycle and narrative, entitled From Famine to Freedom – Ireland to Grosse Ile.
The setting for the 20 minute piece is the mid -1800's, during Ireland's Great Famine and is adapted from his longer work – Writing The Famine in Fiction and Song – first presented during Ireland's National Famine Commemoration Week, 2010.
During the waves of nineteenth-century immigration to North America and Canada, inland islands became the quarantine stations for those arriving to the New World. In New York it was Ellis Island: in Boston, Deer Island and in Quebec, it was Grosse Ile.
In the summer of Black '47, at the height of An Gorta Mor, 90,000 people fleeing Ireland arrived at Grosse Ile. Many more perished on the voyage, cast overboard at sea or into the St. Lawrence River.
John Mills, then Mayor of Montreal declared:'We cannot turn those people away famished like the Eastern United States and Liverpool did'. And Canadians did not. At great peril to their own lives they opened their arms to these immigrants in a way in which the people of no other country had done. They nursed and fed them, taking into their homes the many children orphaned by typhus.
In the Irish Cemetery, the monument erected there in 1848 by Grosse Ile's medical superintendent, George Mellis Douglas, still stands:
'In this secluded spot lie the mortal remains of 5,424 persons who, flying from pestilence and famine in Ireland, in the year 1847, found in America but a grave'.
In remembrance of that period of Ireland and Canada's shared history, Méav Ni Mhaolchatha and the Quebec Symphony Orchestra will pay homage to all those who fled to Canada – and to all those Canadians who, so generously received them.
Sive is the moniker of songwriter and musician Sadhbh O’Sullivan. She and her band are currently gearing up for the release of their debut single, We Are Moving, which will be launched in The Odessa on the 3rd of November.
Having spent a number of years gigging extensively in Ireland and beyond with a variety of musicians, Sadhbh formed the band in its current lineup which consists of bassist Eoin Hartwieg, drummer Patrick Hopkins and guitarist Mark Dudley.
They have been touring together since the beginning of 2010 and since then have opened for a handful of renowned acts, including Kila and Gemma Hayes, and made a number of radio appearances around the country.
Their music fuses alternative rock with a variety of genres, drawing influence from jazz, folk and progressive music.
This year has seen them complete work on their debut album which is due for release in February 2012.
Tallaght Community Arts has recently received approval for a grant of €18,000 to support the development of Folk Music and Songwriting. They will be working with partners from 9 different European Countries over the next two years, during the course of which there will be visits to six different countries. The local grant is part of a total of €156,000 which will be disbursed by the EU Grundtvig Programme. This programme supports cross border adult education initiatives as a means of encouraging participants to work together on specific projects with the added benefit of experiencing varied different cultures and traditions. The first of the international visits will be to Bucharest in Romania in early December. This will be followed by trips to Poland, France, Denmark, Slovenia and Ireland
Since January 2011, Tallaght Community Arts has been supporting the development of fortnightly Songwriting Workshops known as the Tallaght Songwriting Collective and it is the participants in this workshop who will benefit from the grant.
The collective is the brainchild of two local songwriters, Shane O’Fearghail from Tallaght and Tony Bardon from Rathfarnham.
The purpose of the workshop is to bring together established as well as upcoming songwriters with a view to the following:-
Writing new songs and developing new ideas on writing
Teaching and learning from each other
Performing songs for constructive evaluation
Songwriting Circles
Co-writing opportunities
Inviting guest speakers to talk on different aspects of songwriting
Creating a network of talented songwriters at a national and international level
Shane and Tony consider songwriting to be a craft and they wish to nourish the development of that craft among local songwriters. Now that the Tallaght Songwriting Collective has the support of the Grundtvig Programme, giving it a European dimension, its goal is to give its participants an opportunity to be involved on a national and an international stage.
The workshop recommenced after the summer break on Monday 5th September and will be held fortnightly thereafter.The meetings are held at 7.30pm in Rua Red South Dublin Arts Centre Tallaght (At the end of Luas Red Line).
Songwriters in the South Dublin area are welcome to attend. Priority for the international trips will be given to those who show a commitment to the local workshop and have the capacity to make a contribution to the overseas workshops.
Shane and Tony are experienced singer/songwriters who met in Innsbruck Austria in April 2010 at a Grundtvig week-long songwriting workshop. There were 23 participants from 15 different countries attending and over the course of the week there were 19 different work sessions held. This proved to be hugely beneficial on many different levels, musical, cultural and social. 33 new songs in many different genres were written.
This experience motivated the participants to apply for further funds for this new project where they can come together over a more extended period of time and use their talents and friendship to explore the folk music tradition of the different countries they will be visiting and develop their songwriting skills.
Shane is the guiding force behind the popular band Caruso and he has built up a strong following in Ireland as well as in Europe, where he tours extensively. Tony was a regular contributor of political parodies to Lifeline’s Funny Friday show over a number of years and he has a strong international following on the internet for his more serious music.
Tony Fegan, Director of Tallaght Community Arts, has had a previous involvement with the Grundtvig Programme, when he was Director of Learning at the London International Festival of Theatre.
I consider it a very worthwhile programme providing opportunities for many new and diverse learning experiences for those involved. There is likely to be additional benefits for Tallaght Community Arts from this new partnershipand already the possibility an Acoustic Festival to be run in conjunction with the Irish Visit in 2012 is being explored. There has also been talk of an Album release in 2013 at the conclusion of the project. Tony Fegan
The Contemporary Music Centre appoints new board member, Gavin O’Sullivan
Dublin born, Gavin O’Sullivan has been appointed as a new Board member to the Contemporary Music Centre. Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre, current Board members and staff of the Centre are delighted with this appointment and warmly welcome Gavin to the board.
“I am delighted that Gavin has joined the Board of the Contemporary Music Centre. He brings to the board a wealth of expertise in the promotion of new music at home and abroad" says Evonne Ferguson, Director, The Contemporary Music Centre.
Since 1995Gavin has been Director of the Sundays at NoonConcert Series at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane which is recognised for its support and promotion of both contemporary Irish composers and performers. From 1998 to 2004, Gavin was House Manager at the National Concert Hall where he programmed and managed the Composer Choice contemporary music series. From 2008 to 2011 his role involved planning and producing the Hall’s own promotions as well as being involved in developing and implementing a new artistic policy for the Hall. Gavin has worked as an orchestra and concert manager, film music editor and independent producer. He is currently production manager for the Music Festival in Great Irish Houses, Festival Director of theCamerata Ireland Clandeboye and Castletown Festivals and manager of Resurgam .
The Board of the Contemporary Music Centre are Dr. Cliona Doris, Chariperson; Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin; Jacqueline Kelly; Róisín O'Connell; Fergus Sheil, Brian Irvine and Gavin O’Sullivan. The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive, resource centre and promotional body for new music, supporting the work of Irish composers from the Republic and Northern Ireland. The Centre is supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
IMRO to Celebrate the Life and Music of Christie Hennessy with a Series of Music Events in Tralee
Wednesday 12th – Saturday 15th October 2011
The IrishMusic Rights Organisation (IMRO) has announced a series of music events in Tralee, Co. Kerry this October 12th to 15th in celebration of the life and music of Tralee born songwriter and performer Christie Hennessy. The events will take place in association with Tralee Town Council, Holiday Tralee, Radio Kerry, Tralee Advertiser, Kerry’s Eye, andThe Brandon Hotel.
“It is fitting that Tralee plays host to this inaugural Christie Hennessy Celebration as Christie was one of our most celebrated sons. Tralee Town Council will welcome those who come to Tralee to celebrate this talented singer/songwriter's genius with its truly renowned cead mile fáilte. With planned workshops and concerts and I would imagine, there will be some impromptu music sessions in the local pubs, Tralee will be showcasing some of its wonderful talent. Christie Hennessy spoke through his music and it's through music we will pay tribute to him. With the backing of The Irish Music Rights Organisation, Holiday Tralee and local businesses this will be a musical experience of a lifetime. As Mayor of Tralee I wish to invite all of you to share this experience with the people of Tralee”.Mayor Grace O'Donnell.
My Dad was a dedicated song smith/writer all his life. Whenever he encountered an aspiring songwriter, he willingly gave his time and encouragement in helping them to express what they were attempting to say in words and music. So it is a very fitting tribute that the Christie Hennessy Celebration event is being held in his home town of Tralee as, in essence, it could not be any closer to his heart”, added Hermione Hennessy at the launch of the programme of events.
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
The celebration will be launched by Tralee’s own Francie Conway on Wednesday 12th October, at The Brandon Hotel, with performances of well-known Christie Hennessy songs by local artists. The evening will culminate in a showcase of local singer-songwriters. Thursday 13th Octoberwill see a series of Live Music Sessions take place at various venues throughout Tralee. Performances will culminate in a live cover of a Christie Hennessy song in each venue at 11pm.
A performance of the critically acclaimed musical theatre show inspired by the life and music of Christie, “When Jolie Met Christie” will take place in Siamsa Tíre on Friday 14th October. The show was premiered by Axis Ballymun in March of this year. Before his death in 2007, Christie Hennessy had hoped to tell his own story in a collaborative theatre and musical production with axis. As a tribute to him, and using Christie’s musical hero Al Jolson as a catalyst, axis Director Ray Yeates, playwright Seán McCarthy and Musical performer Aonghus McAnally created this special show. In “When Jolie Met Christie” Al Jolson speaks of his admiration for Christie and his new understanding of him now they are together in the afterlife. Al compares the struggles and triumphs of their two careers. The 90-minute show will feature many of Christie’s greatest hits.
On Saturday 15th October, the final of the Christie Hennessy Song Competition will take place in the Brandon Hotel. Ten finalists selected from almost 200 entries across Ireland will perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of expert judges. The winning songwriter will be presented with a cheque for €1,000 on the night, courtesy of Holiday Tralee plus a recording session at the renowned Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin with writer/producer Rob Burke, courtesy of Tony Perrey and the Windmill Lane team.
From 12th to 14th October, IMRO will host a series of Music Workshops for local secondary school students. The workshops will focus on songwriting, production and performance and will be hosted by singer-songwriters, Luán Parle andMickey Harte, and songwriter/producer, Gavin Ralston.
"The inspiration for hosting a celebration of the life and music of Christie Hennessy has its roots in the unveiling of the fine statue of the great man in Tralee. As a national organisation representing the rights of music creators and also being a strong advocate of new music creation in Ireland, IMRO is very proud to be working with so many local businesses and organisations in Tralee to keep the spirit of Christie and his music very much alive.” Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman.
"We in Tralee are very excited about the Christie Hennessy celebration that will be taking place in October. Christie Hennessy is one of Tralee’s most famous sons and he was a musical genius. IMRO and Francie Conway have put together an innovative and varied musical programme in honour of Christie and we hope that fans of Christie from all over the world will come to Tralee to be part of the celebration. Last year a sculpture of Christie Hennessy was unveiled in Tralee which attracted a huge crowd we now want to develop a festival in his honour in his birthplace of Tralee. We have some fabulous musical talent lined up and we will ensure a warm welcome for all fans of Christies’ music” Kieran Ruttledge Holiday Tralee
OCTOBER 2-9 INISHEER LISTENING ROOM INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS RETREAT
Nashville writer Buddy Mondlock (Garth Brooks, Art Garfunkel, Joan Baez, Nanci Griffiths, Peter, Paul & Mary) will be the special guest of the Octover 2-9 Ireland Listening Room International Songwriters Retreat on the island of Inisheer, County Galway.
Join songwriters already signed up from Denmark, Ireland and the US for this annual inspirational week of 'Community Through Co'Writing', led by founder Brett Perkins.
The 875 Euro price includes transport to and from the island from Galway, meals, workshops and concerts.
On Thursday 25th August at 8.30pm, the Irish Composers' Collective will present the launch of the Dublin Laptop Orchestra in the Kevin Barry Room, National Concert Hall.
Established in early 2011 by Alex Dowling and Dan Trueman, the Dublin Laptop Orchestra makes music with laptops, hands, golf controllers, hemispherical speakers, and anything else that's lying around. The DLO aims to bring theatricality and 'physical presence' into electronic music performance by creating software instruments that require movement and skill from the performers and encourage interaction and improvisation.
In collaboration with the Dublin Laptop Orchestra, the Irish Composers' Collective will present six new works, unlike anything you've ever seen before.
Programme:
Alex Dowling – Foxhunters
Bryan Dunphy – 01
Francis Heery – Spool
Piaras Hoban – Netwerkwerk
Donal MacErlaine – Atma
Dennis Wyers – Bang-cruncH
To keep up to date with all goings on at the ICC
Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Irish-Composers-Collective/125697714158837
or view their website: www.irishcomposerscollective.com
Tickets are as always only €10 and €5 (conc) and are available from www.nch.ie.
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