41st International Concert Season

2022/23

—
Music for
Galway
—

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At A Glance
DATE TIME VENUE 

THU 29 SEPT 8pm Emily Anderson Hall,

University of Galway
FRI 30 SEPT 8pm Christ Church,
Portumna
WED 5 OCT 1.05pm Emily Anderson Hall,
University of Galway
THU 6 OCT 8pm Leisureland, Salthill

THU 20 OCT 8pm Emily Anderson Hall,

University of Galway
FRI 21 OCT 8pm Ionad Cultúrtha
an Phiarsaigh,
Connemara
WED 26 OCT 1.05pm O’Donohue Centre,
University of Galway
THU 3 NOV 8pm An Taibhdhearc
Theatre
WED 23 NOV 8pm St. Joseph's Church,
Presentation Road
FRI 20 – SUN 22 JAN Town Hall Theatre &
Hardiman Hotel
WED 15 FEB 8pm St. Joseph's Church,
Presentation Road
WED 22 FEB 1.05pm Emily Anderson Hall,
University of Galway
SUN 5 MAR TBC Kilcummin Church,
Oughterard
MON 6 MAR 8pm Mick Lally Theatre

SAT 25 MAR 7.30pm Galway Cathedral

WED 29 MAR 1.05pm The Cube, University

of Galway
FRI 7 APR 5pm St. Nicholas’
Collegiate Church
THU 27 APR 8pm Emily Anderson Hall,
University of Galway

Please see page 27 for booking & additional information

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PERFORMANCE PAGE

GOLDBERG VARIATIONS 6

GOLDBERG VARIATIONS – PORTUMNA 6

LUNCHTIME CONCERT – BRENDAN GARDE & 22

GARY BEECHER
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & 7
FINGHIN COLLINS
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT 8

EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT – CONNEMARA 8

LUNCHTIME CONCERT – CLIONA DORIS, 22

SINÉAD WALSH & FIACHRA DE hORA
LIVERPOOL QUARTET 9

MAYA HOMBURGER & MALCOLM PROUD 10

MIDWINTER FESTIVAL – SEASONS 12

TEDI PAPAVRAMI 16

LUNCHTIME CONCERT – ANNETTE CLEARY, 23

RÉAMONN KEARY & BARRY McGOVERN
SEAN SHIBE – OUGHTERARD 17

SEAN SHIBE 17

IRISH BAROQUE ORCHESTRA – 18

ST. MATTHEW PASSION
LUNCHTIME CONCERT – FAR FLUNG TRIO & 23
JANE ROBINSON
MUSIC FOR GOOD FRIDAY – COLLEGIUM 19

CÉDRIC PESCIA 20

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Welcome

Beethoven called him “The Immortal God of

Harmony”. It is no exaggeration to say Johann
Sebastian Bach has influenced every composer
who followed him. His contribution to Western
music has been absolutely critical and his
music is among the most beautiful ever written.
Following a very moving performance of his
Goldberg Variations during our 2021 Midwinter
Festival we decided to focus on Bach for our 41st
Season, the details of which we are delighted to
unveil to you here.

And in fact, the season opens with that very

work performed by the very same performers
– Dmitri Sitkovetsky’s arrangement of the
Goldberg Variations for string trio. As the season
progresses we will hear Bach’s instrumental
music on baroque violin and harpsichord with
Maya Homburger and Malcolm Proud, on
modern violin with Tedi Papavrami, on guitar
with Sean Shibe and on modern piano with
Cédric Pescia. Each concert also features other
composers who were influenced in a particular
way by Bach. In late March we will be treated
to a glorious production of Bach’s St. Matthew
Passion with the Irish Baroque Orchestra
conducted by Peter Whelan.
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But there is a lot more to savour in the new
MfG season – in October we have the world
premiere of Jane O’Leary’s new work for piano
and orchestra commissioned to celebrate
our 40th anniversary; October also sees the
annual Emily Anderson Concert celebrating
Beethoven and the work of three University of
Galway BA of Music students. The Midwinter
Festival in January focuses on music for the
seasons, with works by Vivaldi, Piazzolla,
Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Schubert and a special
focus on song.

We value our continued partnership with the

University of Galway. We thank Galway County
Council for funding to allow us to repeat
certain concerts around the county. We also
thank our regular funders the Arts Council and
Galway City Council, our sponsors and donors
and especially our patrons and MfG Friends for
their ongoing support.

Finghin Collins, Artistic Director

Anna Lardi, Executive Director

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THURSDAY 29 SEPTEMBER / 8.00PM
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT HALL,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER / 8.00PM
CHRIST CHURCH, PORTUMNA

Goldberg
Variations
Alexander Sitkovetsky, violin | Sergey Malov,
viola | Natalie Clein, cello

BACH Goldberg Variations,

trans. Dmitri Sitkovetsky

We are delighted to welcome these very

special artists to Galway – in person this
time – to open our 41st Season dedicated to
JS Bach, following their memorable online
performance of this incredible work during
the 2021 Midwinter Festival. They will then
perform this wonderful programme for a
second time in Portumna. The miraculous
arrangement of the work for string trio is by
Alexander’s uncle Dmitri.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

FRIDAY CONCERT IN ASSOCIATION WITH GALWAY

COUNTY COUNCIL ARTS OFFICE

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THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER / 8.00PM
LEISURELAND, SALTHILL

National
Symphony
Orchestra
National Symphony Orchestra,
Kenneth Montgomery, conductor
Finghin Collins, piano

TCHAIKOVSKY Serenade for Strings

JANE O’LEARY unfolding soundscapes
for piano and orchestra
(world premiere)
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”

Commissioned to mark Music for Galway’s

40th Season just past, we are delighted to
unveil a new work written by our former
Artistic Director Jane O’Leary and premiered
by the current Artistic Director Finghin
Collins together with the National Symphony
Orchestra and Kenneth Montgomery.
Alongside evergreen classics by Tchaikovsky
and Beethoven, this will an unforgettable
evening in Leisureland!

Tickets: €30/€27
Students (full-time) €10 | MfG Friends €26

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA

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THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER / 8.00PM
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT HALL,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY
FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER / 8.00PM
IONAD CULTÚRTHA AN PHIARSAIGH, CONNEMARA

Emily Anderson
Concert
Rosanne Philippens, violin | Zoltán Fejérvari, piano

ELLISON HASSELL- For Me

CRAMER (world premiere)
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 7 in
C minor, Op. 30 No .2
LAURA HENEGHAN Rêvasser (world premiere)
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 8 in
G major, Op. 30 No. 3
KATIE FEENEY Ballade (world premiere)
BEETHOVEN Violin Sonata No. 10 in
G major, Op. 96

This outstanding Dutch/Hungarian duo will

perform three of Beethoven’s finest violin sonatas,
as well as premiering new works composed by
three University of Galway BA Music Students.
This performance will repeat in Connemara.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

THURSDAY CONCERT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE

UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY / FRIDAY CONCERT IN
ASSOCIATION WITH GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL
ARTS OFFICE / WITH THANKS TO THE OPW

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THURSDAY 3 NOVEMBER / 8.00PM
AN TAIBHDHEARC

Liverpool
Quartet
Róisín Walters, violin | Sarah Hill, violin
Dani Sanxis, viola | Nick Byrne, cello

ZEMLINSKY String Quartet No.1

DEIRDRE GRIBBIN Merrow Sang
SHOSTAKOVICH String Quartet No 3

Róisín Walters’ Liverpool Quartet brings an

exciting and varied programme to Galway.
Zemlinsky’s beautiful early masterpiece is
very much in the genre of Brahmsian late
romanticism. Shostakovich’s third quartet
is a heart-breaking musical commentary on
the futility and pain of war. Deirdre Gribbin’s
magical and mysterious “Merrow Sang” from
2007 vividly recounts a tale of merrow-maidens
emerging from the sea during the burial of one
the Cantillon family of Ballyheigue.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL STRING

QUARTET FOUNDATION

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WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER / 8.00PM
ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, PRESENTATION RD

Maya Homburger
& Malcolm Proud
Maya Homburger, baroque violin
Malcolm Proud, harpsichord

J S. BACH Sonata no. 1 in B minor,

BWV 1014
JOHANN HEINRICH Sonata in G minor for
SCHMELZER violin and continuo
J.S. BACH Sonata no. 3 in E major,
BWV 101
J.S. BACH Prelude and Fugue in
C sharp major, BWV 848
J.S. BACH Prelude and Fugue in
C sharp minor, BWV 849
HEINRICH IGNAZ Passacaglia
FRANZ BIBER The Guardian Angel
J.S. BACH Sonata no. 6 in G major,
BWV 1019

Celebrated in Ireland and throughout

Europe for their exquisite performances and
recordings of baroque music, the Swiss/Irish
duo of Maya Homburger and Malcolm Proud
bring this bespoke programme to Galway for
our Bach season.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16
SPONSORED BY TIGH NEACHTAIN
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—
Your personal
soundtrack to
Galway
—
FRIDAY 20 – SUNDAY 22 JANUARY
TOWN HALL THEATRE & HARDIMAN HOTEL
BALLROOM

Midwinter
Festival —
OUR 20th MIDWINTER FESTIVAL TAKES ITS
INSPIRATION FROM ITS OWN NAME AND
EXPLORES NOT ONLY WINTER BUT ALL FOUR
OF THE SEASONS.

Vivaldi’s hugely popular classic opens the

weekend with the vibrant Irish Chamber
Orchestra and soloist/director Katherine
Hunka, who pair the work with its Argentinian
counterpart. More intimate recitals follow on
Saturday and Sunday. Olga Scheps juxtaposes
extracts from Tchaikovksy’s Seasons with
Chopin Four Ballades while our two song
recitals take us on two very different journeys.

Schubert’s deeply moving and intensely

beautiful Winterreise, sung by German baritone
Jochen Kupfer with pianist Finghin Collins, is
followed on Sunday by a journey of redemption,
promise and joy with songs from spring, autumn
and summer brought to life by Galway favourite,
the radiant Dutch soprano Lenneke Ruiten.

THE MIDWINTER FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED IN

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

12
Seasons
PERFORMERS INCLUDE
Katherine Hunka, violin/director
Irish Chamber Orchestra
Olga Scheps, piano
Jochen Kupfer, bass-baritone
Finghin Collins, piano
Lenneke Ruiten, soprano

TICKETS
FRIDAY 8PM
Booking through the Town Hall Theatre tht.ie
091 569777: €30/€27
Students (full time) €10 | MfG Friends €26

SATURDAY 6PM
SATURDAY 9PM
SUNDAY 3PM (includes Closing Reception)
Booking through musicforgalway.ie
091 705962: €22/€20
Students (full time) €10 | MfG Friends €18

FESTIVAL TICKET (includes all 4 concerts)

Booking through musicforgalway.ie
091 705962: €90/€81

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FRIDAY 20 JANUARY / 8.00PM
TOWN HALL THEATRE

IRISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

Katherine Hunka, violin/director

VIVALDI The Four Seasons

PIAZZOLLA The Four Seasons

in memory of Norah Stewart

SATURDAY 21 JANUARY / 6.00PM

HARDIMAN HOTEL BALLROOM

Olga Scheps, piano

Winter
TCHAIKOVSKY ( January) “By the Fireside”
CHOPIN Ballade No. 1
Spring
TCHAIKOVSKY (May) “Starlit Nights”
CHOPIN Ballade No. 2
Summer
TCHAIKOVSKY (August) “Harvest”
CHOPIN Ballade No. 3
Autumn
TCHAIKOVSKY (October) “Autumn Song”
CHOPIN Ballade No. 4

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SATURDAY 21 JANUARY / 9.00PM
HARDIMAN HOTEL BALLROOM

Jochen Kupfer, bass-baritone

Finghin Collins, piano

SCHUBERT Winterreise

SUNDAY 22 JANUARY / 3.00PM

HARDIMAN HOTEL BALLROOM

Lenneke Ruiten, soprano

Finghin Collins, piano

SCHUBERT Im Frühling
Viola
HAHN Le Printemps
FAURÉ La fée aux chansons
BERLIOZ from Les Nuits d’Eté
– Villanelle
– Le Spectre de la Rose
– L’ile inconnue
MOZART Sehnsucht nach dem Frühling
BRAHMS Die Mainacht
MENDELSSOHN Andres Maienlied
STRAUSS September
RACHMANINOV Spring Waters

FESTIVAL CLOSING RECEPTION

FOR MFG FRIENDS
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WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY / 8.00PM
ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH, PRESENTATION RD

Tedi
Papavrami
Tedi Papavrami, violin

BACH Sonata No. 2 in A minor

BWV 1003
YSAŸE Sonata No. 2 Op. 27
“Jacques Thibaud”
BACH Partita No. 2 in D minor
BWV 1004

The Albanian violinist Tedi Papavrami

brings a virtuosic Bach-inspired solo violin
programme to Galway. Two substantial works
by Bach, the second Sonata and the second
Partita (including the infamously demanding
Chaconne) bookend a work by the Belgian
composer Eugène Ysaÿe, which itself greatly
resembles the style of Bach, and includes
direct quotations of his music.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

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SUNDAY 5 MARCH / TBC
KILCUMMIN CHURCH, OUGHTERARD
MONDAY 6 MARCH / 8.00PM
MICK LALLY THEATRE, GALWAY

Sean Shibe
Sean Shibe, guitar

NARVAEZ Guardame Las Vacas, Mille

Regretz plus one Sarabande
ADES Habanera
DE FALLA Homenaje
POULENC Sarabande
BACH Prelude Fuga Allegro BWV 998
BARRIOS La Catedral
VILLA-LOBOS Selection from Douze Etudes
GINASTERA Sonata

The finest guitarist of his generation anywhere,

the consummate Scottish artist Sean Shibe
makes his Galway debut performing a fascinating
programme with Bach at its centre, conjuring a
diverse international trajectory and a particularly
South American flavour in the second half.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

SUNDAY CONCERT IN ASSOCIATION WITH

GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL ARTS OFFICE

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SATURDAY 25 MARCH / 7.30PM
GALWAY CATHEDRAL

IBO —
St. Matthew
Passion
James Way, Evangelist | Sestina vocal ensemble
Irish Baroque Orchestra, Peter Whelan director

BACH St. Matthew Passion

BWV 244

One of Bach’s most magnificent creations,

the St. Matthew Passion will be brought to
life by the dynamic Irish conductor Peter
Whelan directing the Irish Baroque Orchestra
and the vocal ensemble Sestina, with solo
parts taken from members of the choir and
the Evangelist role sung by the magnetic
tenor James Way.

Tickets: €30/€27
Students (full time) €12 | MfG Friends €25

IN ASSOCIATION WITH IBO

SPONSORED BY KPMG

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FRIDAY 7 APRIL / 5.00PM
ST. NICHOLAS’ COLLEGIATE CHURCH

Music for
Good Friday
Collegium | Mark Duley director

VICTORIA Missa pro defunctis

(Requiem)
ALONSO LOBO Lamentations of Jeremiah

Collegium Choir, directed by Mark Duley, brings

us two magnificent Spanish Renaissance works
appropriate to Good Friday: Victoria’s sublime
Requiem (Missa pro defunctis) of 1605 and
Alonso Lobo’s Lamentations of Jeremiah, recently
rescued from obscurity and possibly receiving a
first performance in Ireland.

Tickets: €18/€16
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €14

ANONYMOUS SPONSOR

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THURSDAY 27 APRIL / 8.00PM
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT HALL,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

Cédric Pescia
Cédric Pescia, piano

BACH French Suite No. 4 in

E flat major BWV 815
SCHUMANN Waldszenen Op. 82
BACH French Suite No. 2 in
C minor BWV 813
BEETHOVEN Sonata Op. 110

The renowned Swiss pianist Cédric Pescia

presents a programme of German classics
with Bach at its centre.

Tickets: €20/€18
Students (full-time) €6 | MfG Friends €16

SPONSORED BY THE EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND

IN IRELAND

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MfG OffShoots
Meet the Violins –
an introduction to the violin
family
Continuing Music for Galway’s education
strand for younger audiences, we are
delighted to present globally-renowned
violinist, Sergey Malov, who will perform a
series of concerts for primary school children.
Sergey will introduce children to many
instruments in the violin family including
the violoncello da spalla, the viola and the
violin, through the performance of iconic
pieces of both contemporary and classical
music. Sergey will use innovative methods to
bring these beautiful instruments to life for
a younger audience. The concert will assist
teachers in the fulfilment of the Listening and
Responding Strand of the music curriculum.

SUPPORTED BY SAP

Tedi Papavrami -
workshop with the GMR
In collaboration with Galway Music
Residency, our visiting violinist takes
the opportunity to conduct a workshop
with participants of Galway Music
Residency’s Ensemble Skills Programme.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GALWAY MUSIC RESIDENCY

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5 OCTOBER — 29 MARCH
ADMISSION IS FREE

MfG
Lunchtime
Concerts
WEDNESDAY 5 OCTOBER / 1.05PM
EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT HALL,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

Brendan Garde, violin | Gary Beecher, piano

These two talented Cork musicians perform

Brahms’ first violin sonata alongside a
selection of shorter works.

WEDNESDAY 26 OCTOBER / 1.05PM

O’DONOHUE THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF
GALWAY

Cliona Doris, harp | Sinéad Walsh, flute

Fiachra de hOra, viola

Two outstanding Irish students are mentored by

harpist Cliona Doris to perform a programme of
music by Bax and Debussy.

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IN ASSOCIATION WITH ARTS IN ACTION,
OLLSCOIL NA GAILLIMHE – UNIVERSITY
OF GALWAY

Music for Galway is delighted to present

these concerts in memory of Mary McPartlan,
in partnership with the University of Galway’s
Arts in Action programme and in coordination
with staff and students of the School of
English and the Creative Arts.

WEDNESDAY 22 FEBRUARY / 1.05 PM

EMILY ANDERSON CONCERT HALL,
UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

Annette Cleary, cello | Réamonn Keary, piano

Barry McGovern, narrator

Annette Cleary and Réamon Keary have

collaborated to create a new arrangement
of Enoch Arden by Richard Strauss - a
melodrama for cello, piano and narrator on
the poem by Tennyson.

WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH / 1.05PM

THE CUBE, UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY

Far Flung Trio | Jane Robinson, narrator

For the Atoll is a 45-minute poem and song

cycle - with words written by Jane Robinson
and music composed by Malachy Robinson.

THE LUNCHTIME SERIES IS SUPPORTED BY SAP

23
MfG Friends
BECOME A MfG FRIEND
Friend Donation €50

MfG Friends are not just one of our important

funding pillars, they are also our core
audience with whom we communicate and
go to for feedback. In order to thank our MfG
friends for the support we offer:
• A special MfG Friend concession rate that
is lower than the ordinary concession
• Membership to the MfG Friends Concert
Club - access to monthly online viewings
of past MfG concerts
• Invitation to MfG Friends’ and Sponsors’
reception at the Midwinter Festival
• Our popular Bring-a-Friend ticket scheme
is back allowing you to bring your friend
for free to one concert of your choosing
• Regular newsletters with advance
information on all programmes and
listings of other music events in Galway
• Concession rate on music events
promoted by MfG partners

BECOME A MfG PATRON

Bronze Patron €250 | Silver Patron €500 |
Gold Patron €1000

All our Patrons are listed in all the concert

programmes that MfG produces throughout
the season and all the Friends’ benefits listed
above, extend to them.

To become a MfG Friend or MfG Patron go to

the SUPPORT US page on musicforgalway.ie, or
complete and return the form overleaf, email
[email protected], or phone 091 705962

Contact the office on 091 705962 if you are

interested in learning about our Diamond
Patron Scheme.

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 ■ MFG FRIEND €50
■ BRONZE PATRON €250
■ SILVER PATRON €500
■ GOLD PATRON €1000
■ SEASON

TICKET €235
25% discount on full price ticket. Note: MfG Friend
Subscription not included in Season Ticket price.

Name(s)

Address

Post Code/Eircode

Phone
Mobile
(for free reminder SMS)

Email

I would like notice of events by

■ Post ■ Email ■ Both

Cheque Enclosed ■ Total Amount

Detach and post to

Music for Galway, University of Galway,
102 Riverside Terrapin, Distillery Road,
Lower Newcastle, Galway, Ireland.
Please phone 091 705962 to pay by Credit Card
25
✃
Support
MfG is funded by

Midwinter Festival

Concert Sponsors

Concert Partners

Venue Partners / Accommodation

MfG offices are

sponsored by

Media Sponsors

Printing Partner Website

A SPECIAL THANKS TO MFG DIAMOND PATRONS

ANONYMOUS | Yvonne Barry | Diginet Business Solutions
Mark Gantly | Paul & Veronica O’Hara | Optique Opticians
Seán Stewart | Techrete | T. Ó Huigínn Agus A Chomh. Teo.

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MfG
ALTERATIONS TO THE PROGRAMME
MfG reserves the right to alter any advertised
programme if necessary.

LATECOMERS Please check starting times

for individual concerts on our website.
Latecomers will only be admitted during a
break in the programme.

TICKETS Concessions are 10% off full price

tickets and apply to senior citizens (over 65)
and the unwaged. Student tickets are for
full-time students only and identification is
required. One ticket per person. Please note
that tickets are non-refundable.

BOOKING 091 705962

Online: www.musicforgalway.ie

Music for Galway Board of Directors

Mark Gantly, Chair
Delia Breathnach, Cyril Briscoe, Claire Cuddy,
Liz McConnell, Claire McLaughlin,
Cathal O’Donoghue, Anne Ó Maille,
Dan Shields, Ludmila Snigireva

Executive Director: Anna Lardi

Artistic Director: Finghin Collins
Administrator: Suzanne Black

Music for Galway, University of Galway,

102 Riverside Terrapin, Distillery Road,
Lower Newcastle, Galway
p: +353 91 705962
e: [email protected]
w: www.musicforgalway.ie
facebook.com/musicforgalway
twitter.com/musicforgalway
instagram.com/musicforgalway
youtube.com/musicforgalway

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