Music for Galway expands international ambitions in new strategy

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Music for Galway expands international ambitions in new strategy
Finghin Collins, Artistic Director Music For Galway and Catherine Cotter, cello pictured at the launch of Music For Galway's Strategic Plan 2023-2026 at PorterShed a Dó, on Wednesday. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy

This week saw Music for Galway unveil its ambitious strategy for the next three years, the ambitiously named From Galway to the World.

The strategy was launched at The Portershed on Wednesday, where chair of the Board of Directors Mark Gantly thanked the Arts Council for providing the funds for this undertaking.

He also paid tribute to Mary Carroll from Growth Potential for facilitating the process of devising the strategy, the steering team, and all who consulted on the plan.

Mark Gantly, chair of Music For Galway board pictured at the launch of Music For Galway’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026. Photo:- Mike Shaughnessy

From Galway to the World, the title of the strategy, conveys perfectly the main message of the organisation,” says Anna Lardi, CEO of Music for Galway

“In recent years there has been a major transformation as the organisation has grown in capacity, ambition and output.”

Music for Galway is certainly extending its reach; while it continues to deliver access to highest quality classical and contemporary music to audiences in Galway, it is increasingly working with national and international partners on initiatives to attract audiences from further afield.

CELLISSIMO, the triennial eight-day cello festival on the edge of Europe, scheduled for May of 2024 is one such vehicle, with the exciting international initiative Songs of Travel a particular jewel in the festival’s crown.

Ger and Anne O’Maille with James Harkin,Live Score and Dorothy Creaven, Rent The Runway pictured at the launch of Music For Galway’s Strategic Plan 2023-2026. Photo: Mike Shaughnessy

In Songs of Travel, Music for Galway is leading a team of five countries, for which the organisation and its international partners have been awarded €1 million through the Creative Europe Cooperation Award.

Talking about CELLISSIMO, artistic director Finghin Collins unveiled details of a special concert connected to the festival and scheduled for November 18 at the Galmont Hotel.

Featuring major star cello/piano duo Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason, this concert will be a tantalising foretaste of what is to come in May of 2024. Tickets are now on sale on the www.musicforgalway.ie website.