Top Irish Songwriters / Composers Paul Brady / Phil Coulter / Pete St. John / Ray Harman / Shay Healy / Jimmy MacCarthy To Be Inducted into the IMRO Academy
Monday 29th April 2013: Tonight The Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) will honour 6 songwriters and composers by inducting them into the IMRO Academy.
Paul Brady, Phil Coulter, Pete St. John, Ray Harman, Shay Healy and Jimmy MacCarthy will have their contribution to Irish music acknowledged at a ceremony in Dublin’s Conrad Hotel.
The IMRO Academy’s mission is to celebrate and mark the successes of Ireland’s iconic songwriters and composers who have made a very significant cultural and social impact in Ireland and/or internationally.
Launched in 2011, Bill Whelan, best known as the composer of Riverdance and Brendan Graham, co-author of the hugely successful song, ‘You Raise Me Up’ became the first inductees to the Academy. Both have contributed enormously to the recognition of Ireland across the world through their extensive music repertoire
Of the awards Keith Donald, IMRO Chairman, states, “Once again the IMRO Academy is honouring songwriters and composers who are at the forefront of Ireland's great tradition of creativity. It is a very important ingredient in fostering our reputation of being a dynamic and culturally rich nation. The IMRO Academy shines a light on these iconic music creators who continue to inspire, entertain and make sense of the world in which we live.
“I am delighted to be part of this induction ceremony for some of Ireland's most successful and revered composers and I welcome this talented expansion of the IMRO Academy” added Bill Whelan.
''The songs and music of these six Irish songwriters have sailed far beyond the shores of Ireland. They have touched hearts, engaged emotions, and brought joy to people everywhere. Recorded by some of the greatest artistes of our times, they have been heard - and sung along to - by millions of people. They have climbed the pop charts, rocked stadia and brought Eurovision victory to Ireland. On our TV screens they have had us at the edge of our seats and they have become anthems helping us to win many a football and rugby match! They have also given us moments of reflection, of spiritual understanding, of insight into ourselves. By reaching into their own hearts these six, gifted crafters of song have touched our hearts. Ireland and the world are the richer for what they have given us and tonight we, their fellow songwriters, salute and honour their gift... and its gifting'' added Brendan Graham.
The induction ceremony will coincide with the IMRO sponsored Independent Broadcasters of Ireland (IBI) annual conference dinner which takes place tonight, 29th April in the Conrad Hotel. Following the ceremony, all 6 will perform a selection of their iconic hit songs live.
Bill Whelan - Publish and Perish, Music and creativity at the gateway to Babylon
RDS Speaker Series
Wednesday, February 13th @ 6pm
In a wide ranging talk, Bill Whelan will explore the influence that the internet has had on music creativity and particularly how audiences experience music since the recent technological revolution began.
DIGITAL BISCUIT - Friday 25th January
This is a free public event with ticketed events, talks and open exhibitions throughout the Science Gallery. digitalbiscuit.ie/?page_id=123
Cox to head up Limerick City of Culture in 2014
LIMERICK LEADER - 08.01.13
Pat Cox, Paul O'Connell & Bill Whelan to join governing group to drive Limerick City of Culture 2014
By Alan Owens
Published on Monday 7 January 2013 13:20
Pat Cox and Bill Whelan at the announcement of the group to chair Limerick City of Culture in 2014. Picture: Sean Curtin
FORMER European Parliament president and Freeman of Limerick Pat Cox is to chair the governing group that will drive the Limerick City of Culture initiative for 2014.
Mr Cox has gladly accepted the invitation to chair the group and was unveiled in the city this Monday morning, where it was also revealed that Munster and Irish rugby legend Paul O’Connell and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan - both Freemen of the city - will join him on the governing body.
City manager Conn Murray personally selected the trio to manage the programme for 2014, declaring that they were “chosen to represent the areas within which they have excelled nationally and internationally that symbolise a broad approach to the understanding of culture, not just of Limerick, but of Ireland”.
A draft programme of events for the year long City of Culture initiative is expected to be announced this June, with a definite programme in place by late Autumn, Mr Cox explained.
The former TD and MEP said he was “delighted and honoured” to chair the 2014 Limerick National City of Culture group.
“The aim of the National City of Culture initiative is to deliver a programme of cultural events and engagement in Limerick for 2014, but also a programme which has a longer term positive impact,” he explained.
“The designation is also an opportunity to showcase what we know to be the real Limerick in terms of its personality. Such a designation by Government for the city is historic, it will provide a new direction for Limerick more than 800 years after its original charter to embody the potential of a city of culture encompassing Art, Design, Technology and Sport in all their myriad interacting and creative forms.
“The delivery of a National City of Culture within a year planning window is demanding but achievable. Part of my role as chair will be to listen to the wider community and develop from the ground up a programme of international significance for Limerick, for Munster and for Ireland.”
Mr. Cox also confirmed that the Director of the Arts Council, Orlaith McBride, has also accepted a position on the driving group.
A large number of people working in the arts community in Limerick - and other areas of business - will be appointed to the governing group to advise the trio and the programme of events for 2014.
For more on this story see tomorrow’s Limerick Chronicle newspaper, and our weekend editions.
DECEMBER 2012
LIMERICK ON RECORD CD launch In Aid of Milford Hospice
‘Trojan effort’ to get Limerick On Record
LIMERICK LEADER
By Alan Owens
Published on Monday 3 December 2012 06:06
On record: Paddy and Geraldine Brennan with Mayor of Limerick Cllr Gerry McLoughlin and Bill Whelan at the launch and, below, The John Steele Band performing at the launch in Thomond Park. Pictures: Dave Gaynor
RIVERDANCE composer Bill Whelan has hailed the endeavour in assembling a compilation of Limerick music as “an extraordinary achievement”.
Limerick On Record, a stunning compilation that features the best of Limerick music from a 50-odd year period, painstakingly assembled by Corbally man Paddy Brennan, is a limited edition collection that aims to raise €20,000 for Milford Hospice.
The 62-track collection spans from 1965 right up to the present day and contains Whelan’s Riverdance, Richard Harris’ MacArthur Park, Grannies Intentions’ Sandy’s On The Phone, The Cranberries’ Dreams, Reform’s You Gotta Get Up and more from Limerick’s musical history.
“It is a stunning collection, an extraordinary project,” said Bill Whelan, speaking to the Limerick Leader at the launch in Thomond Park last Wednesday night, attended by many of the greats assembled on this definitive collection.
“I know myself because I have been involved in trying to clear music for use. What has happened here has just been unbelievable. The job of putting this together has been absolutely Trojan and it is an extraordinary achievement,” he explained.
The three CD collection is the result of over two years work by Corbally man Paddy and his wife Geraldine, with all of the artists and record companies - eventually - donating the use of their tracks in aid of Milford.
“When I got permission from the Limerick artists I had to contact all the record companies then. Lots of the recordings were not owned by the artists, rather the companies, licensing companies,” explained Paddy.
“It wasn’t easy because lots of them had been dissolved, taken over, amalgamated - it was a maze. I persisted and searched out the copyright - and got a lot of help from Jim Liddane, of the International Songwriters Association, a friend of mine all my life.”
Just 1000 copies of the album are available for sale, making it already a rarity. Places stocking Limerick On Record include: Savins, O’Mahony’s, Euro Empire, Milford and UCH.
NOVEMBER 2012
Zoë Conway and John McIntyre new album launch. Go Mairir i bhFad – Long Life to You
Whelan's, Monday 26th @ 8pm
The stunning new album by Zoë Conway and John McIntyre will be launched tonight in Whelan's at 8pm.
Their first album as a duo has already received excellent reviews, with the Irish Times 5 Star review saying "Conway and McIntyre are taking those same instruments (fiddle & guitar) around a series of hairpin bends, they’re acquainting us with a patchwork quilt woven from traditional, classical, jazz and Latin influences." While The Journal of Music tells readers "this is an artistically powerful album, and includes many superb pieces of music that will undoubtedly live on long beyond this project."
AN EVENING WITH BILL WHELAN & FRIENDSCLIFDEN ARTS FESTIVAL
September 28th, 2012
Bill Whelan will be performing at the Station House Theatre on Friday 28th September as part of the 35th Clifden Arts Festival. An Evening with Bill Whelan and friends will feature some of Ireland's most talented and exciting performers. Joining Bill on the night will be, Zoë Conway on fiddle, John McIntyre on guitar, Robbie Harris playing bodhrán, uilleann piper Declan Masterson, dancer Mick Donegan and members of the Crash Ensemble Orchestra. Bill will be at the piano, playing some songs written over the years while also introducing his orchestral pieces. All in the intimate setting of the Station House Theatre.
RIVERDANCE - FINAL US PERFORMANCES THIS WEEKEND
Wolftrap, Filene Center, Vienna, VA
June 15, 16 & 17
They conquered North America in hard-soled shoes, short black skirts or slim black pants, this troupe of Irish dancers and musicians. Sweeping the continent by storm with jigs, reels and hornpipes, “Riverdance” grew into a millions-served phenomenon, resuscitating an interest in Irish culture and big, flashy arena-style shows showcasing dance and music. In its wake, it has left millions dazzled by heartbeat-quickening, Irish step-dance rhythms performed with the precision of a military drill team.
It started as a bit of a lark: In 1994, the producers of Eurovision Song Contest needed a seven-minute filler to bide time while judges deliberated. A composer, choreographer and producer came up with “Riverdance,” a music-and-dance number. It combined the pinpoint accuracy of a Radio City Music Hall Rockettes line with the heartfelt ballads and spritely jigs of Irish folk music, featuring Bill Whelan’s compositions.
RTÉ CO musicians, Bill Whelan & David Brophy rehearsing yesterday for a song they are doing with Eleanor McEvoy on Wednesday's Today with Pat Kenny, RTÉ Radio 1.
Win Tickets to see the World Premiere of Riverdance Symphonic Performance with the RTE Concert Orchestra www.yay.ie
LYRIC FM THIS WEEK - MARTY IN THE MORNING
Bill Whelan is joining Marty Whelan each day this week at 9.40am for conversation and favourite music selections.
Listen here on www.rte.ie/lyricfm/marty/
Riverdance: The Music of Bill Whelan
Featuring the WORLD PREMIERE of the RIVERDANCE SYMPHONIC SUITE
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
David Brophy conductor
Thursday 17 May, 8pm
National Concert Hall
With guests Bill Whelan, fiddle player Zoë Conway, accordionist Máirtín O’Connor, vocalist Eleanor McEvoy, uilleann piper Maitiú Ó Casaide, dancers Yolanda Gonzalez Sobrado and Mick Donegan, Crash Ensemble and UCD Choral Scholars
Programme includes the world premiere of the Symphonic Suite from Riverdance,Caracena from The Seville Suite, The Currach and Evening Céilí from Inishlacken, An Chistin from Carna, Jazzical Cyclebike, Seabird, Flying Blind, Lift the Wings, Shivnaand The Heart’s Cry
Following the sell-out success of A Celebration of Bill Whelan in 2010, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra returns with what is sure to be another spectacular collaboration with Grammy Award-winning composer Bill Whelan.
The RTÉ CO gave the electrifying first performance of Riverdance as the interval act in the 1994 Eurovision and went on to record the phenomenally successful CD of the entire show. Now, as part of a wide-ranging programme of his music, the orchestra has the honour of giving the world premiere of Bill’s Symphonic Suite from Riverdance. This promises to be not only a highlight of the evening’s celebration but a highlight of Irish musical life this year.
Bill Whelan writes:
‘The idea for a Riverdance Symphonic Suite has been on my radar for some time. Over the years I have often had requests from foreign orchestras for a full-length concert piece containing the music from the show. As my original score incorporated traditional instruments, it was not always easy to assemble the various ethnic elements for a concert in say, Japan. So what I have done with this new score is to present all the themes fromRiverdance in a way that is playable by a full symphony orchestra anywhere in the world, without the traditional musicians. There were two principal challenges - the first was to arrange the themes and melodies as a colourful and dynamic concert piece. The second was to choose the instruments from within the orchestra to appropriately replace the original ethnic instruments and voices. As this will be its first performance, I look forward with anticipation as this augmented RTÉ CO under David Brophy brings the work of the last few years to life.’
Tickets: €11-€38 (conc. €10-€35)
10% group discount available
Booking: 01 417 0000 or www.rte.ie/co
For further information please contact
Angela Rohan, PR Executive, RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Tel: 01 208 2493 | Mobile: 087 617 2531 | Email: angela.rohan@rte.ie
APRIL 2012
Guarding copyright on the Internet
Bill Whelan letter to the Irish Times 26.04.12
www.irishtimes.com/letters/index.html#1224315195360
NEWSTALK 106-108fm
Bill Whelan joined Chris Donohue and Shane Coleman in studio on their Newstalk Breakfast Show. If you missed their wide ranging interview check out their Media Player (Archive, Breakfast - Part 4 of Thursday 26th April) www.newstalk.ie
WORLD PREMIERE OF BILL WHELAN'S RIVERDANCE SYMPHONIC SUITE
National Concert Hall, Thursday 17th May, 8pm The Music Of Bill Whelan.
Following the sell out success of A Celebration of Bill Whelan in 2010, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra return with what is sure to be another spectacular collaboration with the Grammy Award-winning composer Bill Whelan. Presenting a wide range of his music, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra will also perform the world premiere of Bill Whelan’s Symphonic Suite from Riverdance.
Presented by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and conducted by David Brophy.
THE UNIVERSITY of Limerick is hoping to raise tens of thousands of euro this May after scooping Riverdance to entertain guests at their annual gala dinner in May.
The Irish dance phenomenon will give their first performance in Limerick at the UL president's gala dinner in the Strand Hotel on May 11.
Guest of honour at the event will be renowned composer and producer, Dr Bill Whelan, a native of Limerick, who composed the music for the internationally famed Riverdance show and who is a director of the UL Foundation.
"It has always been an ambition of mine to bring Riverdance to my home City of Limerick, so it gives me great pleasure to finally see this dream come true. To be able to do so in a way which helps raise funds for the university's charitable activities makes it all the more pleasurable," said Dr Whelan.
Tickets for the event are priced at €180 per person, and tickets will be served on a first come basis as the capacity may be limited to some 200 people. Riverdance's Irish tour this year includes concerts in Dublin only at present.
The president's dinner is an annual fundraising event which supports a different project each year.
This year's event is a celebration of UL's ties with the city and will raise funds for expansion of the president's volunteer award programme which is run by the university. The programme was established two years ago to support the contribution that students at UL make to volunteering activities outside of their academic studies.
For queries about tickets for the event, please contact Sarah Hartnett, UL Foundation on 061-234240 or sarah.hartnett@ul.ie
FEBRUARY 2012
The Rolling Wave - Our Musical Heritage, RTE Radio 1
RTE Radio 1 is rebroadcasting a historic 1963 radio series "Our Musical Heritage" by Sean O Riada. Episode 13, broadcast on 26th February, explores traditional dance music as played on the accordion and concertina with a contemporary view from composer and musician Bill Whelan.
ALEXEJ GORLATCH PERFORMS IN DUBLIN AT MUSIC NETWORK END OF YEAR GALA CONCERT
Saturday 3rd December @ 8pm
George's Hall, Dublin Castle
"This remarkably talented pianist... played with finesse and maturity."
The New York Times
"Awe-inspiringly confident and assured... with a perfection which apparently effortlessly sets him apart from everyone else... Alexej Gorlatch is one of those players who can take you into areas that others just can't reach. "
Michael Dervan, Irish Times
By any standards, the young Ukrainian pianist Alexej Gorlatch is something of a phenomenon. Entering the University of Arts in Berlin at the age of twelve, within a decade he had a trophy cabinet jam-packed with awards, including First Prize at the prestigious Hamamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan, First Prize at the Dublin International Piano competition and Silver Medal at the Leeds Piano competition, in a performance described by The Guardian as 'immaculate in its poetry and aggression'.
A prize-winning technique is one thing, but Gorlatch has poise, power and passion in equal measure, entrancing audiences from Carnegie Hall to the Salle Cortot in Paris with his relaxed stage manner, singing lines and soulful performances. Add to this an exceptional repertoire spanning everything from Mozart to Britten, and you have the all the ingredients of a terrific solo concert. Prepare to be spellbound!
UCD FOUNDATION DAY MEDAL FOR GRAMMY AWARD WINNER, BILL WHELAN
Bill Whelan, best known for composing the original seven minute orchestral piece for Riverdance was awarded the UCD Foundation Day Medal in recognition of his outstanding achievements and his contribution to Irish music worldwide.
Each year the UCD Foundation Day Medal is awarded to a UCD graduate who demonstrates great achievement.
At the event held in O'Reilly Hall in Belfield, Bill gave a special performance along side the UCD Ad Astra Scholars, UCD Choral Scholars and UCD Orchestral Scholars. Noel Pearson was there to give the evening's Citation and Minister for Education, Ruairi Quinn TD gave the keynote speech.
To view a video clip of the evening and for more details please visit
Bill Whelan receives the Spirit Of Ireland Award in New York
The Irish Arts Centre based in New York honored Bill Whelan on Friday 14th October. Watch his acceptance speech here.
SUNDAY MISCELLANY
23rd October 2011
If you missed today's mix of music and musings featuring Bill Whelan, Zoe Conway and Morgan Crowley please go to the RTE Radio 1 Radio Player to Listen Back to the broadcast:
SUNDAY MISCELLANY's visit to Clifden Arts Week is broadcast this Sunday, 23rd October, 2011.
Featuring Bill Whelan, Zoe Conway and Morgan Crowley
Sunday Miscellany is one of Irish radio's longest running shows presenting a weekly selection of new short writing read on the air by it's authors and interspersed with complementing music and occasional songs. In recent years it has introduced new innovations to its radio experience that have proved very popular with its growing fan base at home and internationally. One has been its live events for audiences, and frequently produced in association with particular venues and cultural festivals.
Recently, on 23 September 2011 the programme presented a live audience event in The Station House Theatre in the town as part of Clifden Arts Week 2011.
The event, hosted by the programme's producer Clíodhna Ní Anluain was very well received by the audience who lapped up the selection of new short essays and poetry, as well as the wonderful music and song. The selection of voices included Gerard Smyth, Siobhan Mannion, Denise Blake, Geraldine Mills and Bill Whelan. Bill, who made his debut on the programme with a short piece of writing called 'The Cresent Church', humorously and affectionately recalled characters and experiences of the church in Limerick city he attended as a boy.
Cliodhna Ní Anluain was delighted to introduce particularly special contribution to this Sunday Miscellany from Clifden. This was the first performance of a brand new music composition by Bill Whelan for Derek Mahon's marvellous poem - 'After TheTitanic'. As Bill in his introduction to the performance said '... this is a poem that Derek Mahon wrote about Bruce Ismay who was a rather senior person in the Cunard Line when the Titanic went down. He was on board the ship and he survived. In the enquiry that happened afterwards he wasn't exactly showered with laurel wreaths or heroism. The story has it that he eventually moved to Connemara and lived on his own with his guilt. Whether exactly true or not - there has been some recent re-writing of the story - I just love this poem because it's a tremendous imagined condition of the human mind faced with this cataclysmic experiences and then the guilt that flows from it. So this is brand new - I wrote it this week'.
For this contribution to Sunday Miscellany Bill Whelan on piano was accompanied on violin by Zoe Conway and Morgan Crowley sang Derek Mahon's words to Bill new composition.
The edition of Sunday Miscellany will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1on Sunday morning 23 October 2011 at 9.30am.
See:
Liam Neeson and Gabriel Byrne present Irish Arts Center Award to Bill Whelan
Grammy award-winner and Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and philanthropist Dolores McCall were Friday night's guests of honor at the Irish Arts Center's 12th annual Spirit of Ireland gala at the New York Athletic Club.
An Evening with Bill Whelan and Orchestra Featuring Athena Tergis and Special Guest Mick Donegan with a Nine-Piece Orchestra
and Special Guests
Live Concert Performances
October 29 - November 1 | 7:30 pm
In an encore presentation of one of our most exhilarating concert series, Grammy-winning Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and world-renowned fiddler Athena Tergis return for four unforgettable performances with a nine-piece orchestra and surprise special guests. Lucky audiences experienced this musical partnership when it first took flight in last season's Masters in Collaboration series. We are thrilled to welcome Bill and Athena and an extraordinary ensemble back to the Donaghy Theatre to electrify us once again.
If you need assistance placing your order, call 866-811-4111.
This performance is certain to sell out quickly, so we encourage you to book early.
MIC6 + Bill Whelan & Athena Tergis Combo
Admission: $60 general / $50 members
A Special Treat for Music Lovers: save over 20% on both MIC6 and Bill Whelan and Athena Tergis in Concert when you book together.
Great new things grow from our individual Masters in Collaboration series - from the Paul Brady/Sarah Siskind European tour that evolved following their Masters performance at IAC in 2008, to the Bill Whelan and Athena Tergis orchestral tour and triumphant return to the Donaghy stage this fall. We have a great deal for music lovers who won't want to miss our newest collaboration between Iarla Ó Lionáird and Ivan Goff, and experience Bill Whelan and Athena Tergis' inspiring concert with a 9-piece orchestra.
$75 gets you a ticket to both shows (reg $95 combined). Click here to purchase this combo deal.
A preview of Bill Whelan and Athena Tergis from their time as artists-in-residence at Masters in Collaboration IV.
APRIL 2013
Top Irish Songwriters / Composers Paul Brady / Phil Coulter / Pete St. John / Ray Harman / Shay Healy / Jimmy MacCarthy To Be Inducted into the IMRO Academy....[more]
MARCH 2013
BILL WHELAN Berklee College Concert - April 11th 2013....[more]
