Finding a Voice, the festival celebrating music by women across eras and genres, returns to Clonmel from 6 to 9 March. We asked Artistic Director Roisín Maher the BIG questions . . .
Now in its eighth year, this edition will feature contemporary music supergroup Evlana, and pianists Antonio Oyarzabal and Thérèse Fahy.
There will also be a first-time appearances by Chamber Choir Ireland and the Irish Youth Choir, as well as a new partnership between Finding a Voice and the National String Quartet Foundation that will see The Ora Quartet tour a programme of music by women around the country.
Speaking about this year's event, Róisín Maher says, "I'm very excited by this partnership with the National String Quartet Foundation which will see music by women composers touring to different venues and bringing the work of Finding a Voice to brand new audiences."
The Solas Quartet will perform at the opening concert with a work by quartet member (and leader of the Irish Chamber Orchestra), Katherine Hunka, alongside a piano quintet by Austrian composer Maria Bach.
The festival will also highlight home-grown talent with the world premières of new works by Ailís Ní Riain and the winner of the Emerging Composer Competition in association with the Contemporary Music Centre.
Finding a Voice runs from 6th to 9th March 2025– see findingavoice.ie for further details.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m originally from Clonmel although I’ve lived in West Cork for almost twenty years. I love that Finding a Voice takes place in Clonmel - my hometown is really important to me and it’s a place with such amazing musical traditions.
I have two younger sisters, Clíona and Derbhile. Clíona is the one I co-founded the festival with. We talk on the phone almost every day and even though we argue from time to time, I love working alongside her. We often finish one another’s sentences and she probably knows me better than anyone else (apologies, husband!). I love cooking and am a bit of a foodie! Obviously, I’m spoiled for choice in West Cork with all the wonderful food producers, but Clonmel is also a real food hub and there are loads of places and restaurants that I absolutely have to visit every time I go home.
How would you describe your music?
Finding a Voice is a very eclectic festival so it’s impossible to describe just one type of music that people can expect to hear. Some of the concerts, like the one with baroque violinist Marja Gaynor, traditional uilleann piper David Power and flamenco guitarist John Walsh, are just absolutely genre defying! And we’ve got a fantastic line-up of local talent for our singer-songwriter showcase, alongside international classical music stars so hopefully there’s something for everyone!
Who are your musical inspirations?
I’m always inspired by the stories and the music of incredible women composers over the years and how much they had to work to have their voices heard. It’s what motivated me originally to set up Finding a Voice because I just wanted to create opportunities for musicians to perform and audiences to hear their music. Whether it’s Hildegard of Bingen in the Middle Ages, Clara Schumann in the nineteenth century, or Aftab Darvishi today, these women have continued to create and compose despite all the obstacles in their way, which is such an inspiration to me.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I went to see U2 at the Phoenix Park in Dublin in the summer of ’83 - I remember my dad waited outside the whole time to pick me up after the concert. By the end of it, he was a massive U2 fan!
What was the first record you ever bought?
I wish that I had a cool answer but it was Boney M.’s Nightflight to Venus! The first classical album I bought was a boxset of Janacek’s chamber music - I had just been to see the film The Unbearable Lightness of Being and I was obsessed with the music.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Right now, I’m listening to Irish composer and writer Ailís Ní Riain who is such an original and unique voice. I love how collaborative and inclusive her music is. She’s written a new work, Never Here and Nowhere Else, for the group Evlana, which will be premièred at Finding a Voice on International Women’s Day, 8 March.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"But every time it rains, You’re here in my head, Like the sun coming out, I just know that something good is gonna happen" - Cloudbusting by Kate Bush.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s a tricky one but I’ll say Barbara Strozzi’s Che si può fare – it’s this gorgeous song about love and loss and heartbreak and it’s just absolutely timeless. I’ve heard so many different versions of it over the years and it’s always incredibly moving and poignant. If I had to name a non-classical song, it would be Sinéad O’Connor’s Troy - she just had the most amazing voice and creative energy.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Head on over to our website and follow us on socials - Instagram, X and Facebook. Better yet, come to one of our concerts in March!
Alan Corr
.svg)