THE GALWAY ENSEMBLE IN RESIDENCE

A LITTLE HISTORY

For years Galway had felt the need for a school of music for advanced players. It had become clear that we were losing our local talent to schools of music elsewhere in the country. In June 2000, on a trip to the West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry I was enthused by the range of ensembles performing and became inspired by the idea of having a music-residency in Galway, for Galway. I spoke with my fellow board members of Music for Galway and we approached Dr. Pat Fottrell, President of NUI, Galway who advised us to write a business plan.

We devised a unique residency model - one which would see an ensemble living and working in Galway. Seed funding came from NUI, Galway and the Arts Council, a feasability study was commissioned and the project moved forward. After a period of international recruitment, ConTempo String Quartet from Romania were chosen and our residency was launched in March 2002. NUI Galway, TG4 and the Arts Council were the main funders with support from Galway City and County Councils.

Sally Coyle, Board Member, The Galway Music Residency