The Isle of Man Wind Orchestra will perform the world premiere of Yn Scollag Aeg (The Young Scholar), a composition by its musical director, Paul Dunderdale, at a concert at St German’s Cathedral, Peel, on Tuesday 10th July.
The composition resulted from a commission from the Manx Heritage Foundation awarded to Paul to celebrate Mona Douglas, who dedicated her life to the collection and dissemination of Manx music and culture. When she was nearly 80, Miss Douglas revived Yn Chruinnaght and she received many awards in recognition of her energetic and influential role in Manx cultural life.
Paul has worked over the winter to take a traditional Manx folk theme and weave it into a contemporary piece of music for a wind orchestra based on a tune Miss Douglas collected.
The first rehearsal of the composition took place at Marown School on the 19th April with Dr Breesha Maddrell present on behalf of the Manx Heritage Foundation. The orchestra has since been busy developing the piece with Paul.
‘Members of the orchestra have worked hard with Paul over the last three months bringing his creation to life,’ says Michael Morrison, chairman of the Wind Orchestra. ‘They are really looking forward performing it at their annual concert at the cathedral.’
Dr Maddrell said: ‘The Manx Heritage Foundation has a policy of commissioning new works from Manx composers in order to extend repertoire. We are delighted that Paul has created such a complex and interesting work that shows that Manx music belongs with every genre. Mona Douglas is a very important figure in Manx cultural circles and was collecting, teaching and performing music, song and dance at a time when it was considered unusual to do so.’
The concert will also feature Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Sea Songs, Frank Ticheli's American Elegy, Philip Sparke's Yorkshire Overture, Holst’s 1st Suite for Windband, music from Moulin Rouge, the Pirates of the Caribbean and Family Guy and a medley of Sinatra hits.
The concert starts at 7.45pm and will form part of the summer series of performances given for the benefit of the cathedral’s Foundation for Music and Arts. The performance will be recorded by the Manx Heritage Foundation and the orchestra is hopeful that a large audience will support this event. Admission is free and there will be a retiring collection.
The Wind Orchestra can also be heard at the Villa Marina Arcade on Sunday 22nd July as part of the Isle of Man Bands’ Festival, organised by the Arts Council. That concert commences at 3pm.
For further information about the orchestra, contact Michael on 437751, email winds@wm.im or send a message via the website, http://www.iomwo.com.
