Galway Music Residency (GMR) has unveiled its 2024 winter program, centred around an International Residency with acclaimed Estonian composer and electronic musician Sander Saarmets.
This international collaboration marks a significant evolution for GMR, as it deepens its global connections and brings innovative, boundary-pushing music to Galway audiences.
In partnership with the Arvo Pärt Centre and the Estonian Centre of Contemporary Music, Saarmets’ two-month residency during November and December 2024 will see him working closely with Galway’s ConTempo Quartet, creating unique performances that blend classical and contemporary sounds.
This partnership will offer audiences the chance to experience something special – the marriage of traditional string quartet repertoire with Saarmets’ experimental electronic compositions.
Saarmets’ residency will serve as a central pillar of Galway’s autumn-winter program, encompassing performances, educational workshops, and community outreach events. The initiative will explore the intersection of music and technology, breathing new life into Galway’s cultural scene.
It also reinforces Galway Music Residency’s commitment to international artistic exchange, with support from the Arts Council of Ireland’s International Residency Initiatives Scheme.
“The inclusion of Sander Saarmets in this year’s program is a testament to our vision of making Galway a global hub for creative musical innovation,” explained Executive Director of Galway Music Residency Maeve Bryan.
His residency will give the community a fresh perspective on how contemporary music can interact with our cherished classical traditions, and we are thrilled to share that journey with Galway audiences.”
Autumn-Winter 2024 Highlights
Saarmets’ residency is embedded in GMR’s autumn-winter program, which will feature a rich variety of cultural engagements, including:
Story of a Day – Scéal Lae: A magical children’s performance in partnership with Branar and composer Tom Lane, bringing storytelling to life through music, featured at Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.
3 Kinds of Music Series: Returning to the Mick Lally Theatre, this series, co-curated by Saarmets alongside Galway’s Aengus Hackett and Anna Mullarkey, will delve into the fusion of classical, electronic, and jazz influences.
County-wide outreach: Galway Music Residency will extend its reach across County Galway with performances and workshops in Portumna, Gort, Headford, Claregalway, and Ballinasloe, ensuring rural communities can experience this season’s dynamic cultural programming.
GMR’s winter program not only highlights Saarmets’ international residency but also sets the stage for future artistic collaborations as Galway looks towards 2025.
The inclusion of international artists like Saarmets emphasises GMR’s dedication to fostering new music experiences and cultural exchanges that transcend borders, bringing the world to Galway through music.
For more details on the full program and ticket information, visit www.thegalwaymusicresidency.ie.
