6th December 2007

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Noel McDonald, Padraig O’Kane, Lee Curran from St Columb's College, Professor Desmond Hunter, Kate Brolly, Bank of Ireland, Michael Finnissy and DR Frank Lyons

Classical music students from St Columb’s College in Londonderry had the chance to work with one of Europe’s most respected composers this week, as part of the YouDo Action Arts Programme.
 
The YouDo Action Arts Programme is a partnership between the University of Ulster and Bank of Ireland giving young people the chance to get involved in digital media and the performing arts.
 
The students took part in a special seminar at Ulster’s Magee campus in Derry, led by Michael Finnissy – who is regarded internationally as an innovative composer and teacher.
 
The pupils also took part in a preparatory compositional workshop with PhD music students, Atsushi Tamura and Christopher Norby, during which they began work on their own original compositions. 
 
One of the highlights of the YouDo event for the students was the Lunchtime Concert at Magee, when Ulster musicians-in-residence Darragh Morgan and Mary Dullea performed the world premier of a new sonata for violin and piano by Michael Finnissy in a programme devoted to his music. The performance also included Finnissy compositions Mississippi Hornpipes and Jive.

Dr Frank Lyons, senior lecturer in music at the University’s Magee campus said: “Composers and performers from St Columb’s and from our own music department have benefited immensely from this series of events where they got to find out at first hand what it takes to become internationally successful in the creative industries. We are extremely grateful to Professor Finnissy and to Darragh and Mary for giving so generously of their time and expertise.” 

For further information, please contact:

Trina Porter
Telephone: 028 71675511
Email: Trina Porter