Dr. Dave Flynn - Academic CV
Dr. Dave Flynn is one of the leading composers and researchers involved
in the interaction between traditional Irish music and contemporary
composition.
He was awarded a PhD in 2011 for his dissertation Traditional Irish Music:A Path to New Music. He studied for his PhD at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin under the supervision of Dr. Jane O'Leary with the aid of an ABBEST Scholarship. Prior to this Dr. Flynn gained a Masters Degree in Composition from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a BMus (Composition) from the DIT.
Dr. Flynn's compositions embrace many styles and they have been performed around the world from London to Prague, Brisbane to New York by internationally acclaimed artists including the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble, Smith Quartet, Engegard Quartet, Con Tempo Quartet, Rolf Hind, John Feeley and the traditional Irish fiddle and guitar duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill.
His music has been published by Mel Bay, Reed Music and Frisbee Publications and broadcast internationally on WNYC Radio, RTÉ radio and television and the BBC.
His work and studies have been funded through scholarships and bursaries from the Arts Council of Ireland, Culture Ireland, The Guildhall Trust, The Michael Collins Memorial Foundation and IMRO. He has given workshops and master-classes throughout Ireland and in New York, Estonia and Romania.
Academic Qualifications
2006-2010 - DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin – Ph.D.
2003-2004 - Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London – M.Mus. (Composition)
1999-2003 - DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin – B.Mus. (Composition)
1995-1997 – Senior College Ballyfermot, Diploma in Popular Music Performance
Professional Skills
Multi-genre composer and guitarist with academic and performance expertise in classical music and traditional Irish music.
Strong academic and performance-based knowledge of jazz, popular and world music styles. Detailed knowledge of many African music styles.
Performance skills on many instruments including guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, percussion, bass guitar, Irish fiddle, banjo, vocals etc.
Experienced lecturer, broadcaster and public speaker.
Published scholar, composer and performer.
Strong organisational skills in relation to events, performing groups and associations.
Excellent administrative skills, particularly in relation to fund-raising applications. Has successfully applied for numerous grants.
Entrepreneurial skills; started own record/publishing company, organised several successful events, founded several music groups.
Research Interests
Contemporary composition, baroque music practices, traditional Irish music, minimalism, improvisation, poly-metric music, modality, micro-tonality, aural learning, ethno-musicology, classical guitar music, American composers, Irish composers, the music of Jean Sibelius, folk music composition, popular music, Congolese music, Zimbabwean music, Malian music, Nigerian music, Balkan music, electro-acoustic music, alternative tuning systems, early music, nationalism in music.
Selected Publications
Dave Flynn - Complete Works for Solo Guitar Vol 1. Frisbee Publications, Spiddal, Ireland, 2011. Catalogue FP001.
Traditional Irish Music: A Path To New Music, Ph.D Dissertation. Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, December 2010.
Toccata for Obama – Quirk No 6(b), Composition for Alto Saxophone & Guitar. Reed Music, Fitzroy, Australia, 2010. Catalogue RM758
Four Études for Five Finger in Postlewate, Charles (ed.) A Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music. Mel Bay Publications, Pacific MO, USA, 2009. Catalogue No. 21290
Contemporary Traditional Irish Guitar, Compact Disk. Frisbee Records, Spiddal, Ireland, 2009. Catalogue FR CD 002.
Draíocht, Compact Disk. Frisbee Records, Spiddal, Ireland, 2006. Catalogue FR CD 001.
Looking for the Irish Bartók, Article published in Quinn, Toner (ed.) The Journal of Music in Ireland, July/August 2005 edition.
Young Composer’s Collective, Article published in Quinn, Toner (ed.) The Journal of Music in Ireland, March/April 2004 edition.
Major Awards and Grants
2011 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2010 Special Award in commemoration of the World Premiere of ‘Aontacht’
presented by Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland.
2010 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2008 Arts Council of Ireland Deis Award
2005 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2004 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival - Young Composer’s Award
2002 Feis Ceoil, Dublin - IMRO Senior Composition Award
Major Commissions and Performances
2011
2010
2009
2007
2006
2005
2004
Recent Education and Outreach Work
Sept 2011 Workshops and lecture at University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, Estonia
April 2011: Inishowen Guitar Festival, workshop with transition year music students in Schoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland
April 2011: Workshop in Scoil Náisiúnta Olibhear Pluinceid Rann Na Feirste, Annagary, Co. Donegal, Ireland
March 2011: Galway Music Residency, workshop for music students from Colaiste na Coiribe and Colaiste Iognaid,
Ireland.
Dec 2010: Dublin Institute of Technology, Conservatory of Music and Drama. Composition workshop with
undergraduate and post-graduate students
July 2009: Juilliard School of Music and Drama, New York. Workshop on Irish music techniques with undergraduates
involved in the New Juilliard Ensemble.
March 2009: Gheorghe Dima Academy of Music, Cluj, Romania. Workshop on Irish contemporary and traditional music
with academy students
Recent Broadcasting and Media Work
September 2011: Irish Chamber Orchestra promotional web video - Interviewed with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill
March 2011: RTÉ Lyric FM, The Lyric Concert – Interview with Peter Browne as interval feature for broadcast of
November 2010 concert in the National Concert Hall.
March 2011: Galway Independent – Interview with Arts Correspondent in advance of Galway Music Residency.
March 2011: RTÉ Lyric FM, Nova – Interview with Bernard Clarke in advance of Galway Music Residency.
Nov 2010: RTÉ Radio 1, Morning Ireland. Interview with Colman O’Sullivan in advance of premiere of Aontacht by
Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Nov 2010: The Irish Times – Interview with Arminta Wallace in advance of premiere of Aontacht by Martin Hayes and
the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Oct 2010: Contemporary Music Centre – Video interview and podcast with Jonathan Grimes in advance of premiere of
Aontacht by Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
July 2010: Radio Kalmar, Sweden – Live performance broadcast in advance of the Secret Festival.
March 2009: WNYC New Sounds, New York. Complete edition of the show dedicated to Dave Flynn’s music, includes
interview with John Schaefer.
Press Quotes and Endorsements
'Dave Flynn occupies a unique position in the world of music: his work reflects an intimate and respectful knowledge of the Irish folk tradition along with deep insight and skill in the world of modern classical composition.'
- Martin Hayes (Internationally renowned Irish musician)
‘’Dave Flynn is rapidly establishing himself as a central figure in Irish composition. His fascination with Irish traditional music brings a new perspective into this arena of composition and raises a fresh debate on a century-old interactive process between classical music traditions and indigenous orally transmitted music.’’
– Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
"Irish music is this Dublin composer’s passion and main inspiration, and at times he has the quartet’s two violinists digging into their instruments with the kind of power and grittiness you hear from Celtic fiddlers at their most raucous."
- Alan Kozinn, (The NewYork Times)
“If folksperimentation was a genre, this immersive blend of classical composition and Irish jig arrangement would fall right in its place. Perhaps most impressive of all are Flynn’s orchestral and song-writing skills; he pens seductive and warming tracks which are performed with a level of class unparalleled in a lot of folk/classical crossovers”.
– Andrew Latimer (Three Weeks Daily, Edinburgh Review)
'the piece (The Keening) is notable for evoking the ancient via relatively modern string techniques that remain new sounding. Flynn has successfully appropriated something from Irish traditional music without any hint of "Celtic twilight" crossover style.'
-Michael Dungan (The Irish Times)
‘What struck me about Flynn was his self-confidence and sure-footedness. He had something to say in his music and was damned well going to say it. The audience loved it and so did the players—the Smith Quartet’
– Barbara Slaughter, (WSWS Arts Review)
‘Listening to his light and sensitive touch, it becomes clear that he is a very fine player who has thorough understanding of the subtle nuances of Irish fiddle tunes. Dave Flynn is a masterful guitarist.’
- Tom Druckenmiller (Sing Out!)
He was awarded a PhD in 2011 for his dissertation Traditional Irish Music:A Path to New Music. He studied for his PhD at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin under the supervision of Dr. Jane O'Leary with the aid of an ABBEST Scholarship. Prior to this Dr. Flynn gained a Masters Degree in Composition from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a BMus (Composition) from the DIT.
Dr. Flynn's compositions embrace many styles and they have been performed around the world from London to Prague, Brisbane to New York by internationally acclaimed artists including the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra, RTÉ Concert Orchestra, New Juilliard Ensemble, Smith Quartet, Engegard Quartet, Con Tempo Quartet, Rolf Hind, John Feeley and the traditional Irish fiddle and guitar duo Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill.
His music has been published by Mel Bay, Reed Music and Frisbee Publications and broadcast internationally on WNYC Radio, RTÉ radio and television and the BBC.
His work and studies have been funded through scholarships and bursaries from the Arts Council of Ireland, Culture Ireland, The Guildhall Trust, The Michael Collins Memorial Foundation and IMRO. He has given workshops and master-classes throughout Ireland and in New York, Estonia and Romania.
Academic Qualifications
2006-2010 - DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin – Ph.D.
2003-2004 - Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London – M.Mus. (Composition)
1999-2003 - DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, Dublin – B.Mus. (Composition)
1995-1997 – Senior College Ballyfermot, Diploma in Popular Music Performance
Professional Skills
Multi-genre composer and guitarist with academic and performance expertise in classical music and traditional Irish music.
Strong academic and performance-based knowledge of jazz, popular and world music styles. Detailed knowledge of many African music styles.
Performance skills on many instruments including guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, percussion, bass guitar, Irish fiddle, banjo, vocals etc.
Experienced lecturer, broadcaster and public speaker.
Published scholar, composer and performer.
Strong organisational skills in relation to events, performing groups and associations.
Excellent administrative skills, particularly in relation to fund-raising applications. Has successfully applied for numerous grants.
Entrepreneurial skills; started own record/publishing company, organised several successful events, founded several music groups.
Research Interests
Contemporary composition, baroque music practices, traditional Irish music, minimalism, improvisation, poly-metric music, modality, micro-tonality, aural learning, ethno-musicology, classical guitar music, American composers, Irish composers, the music of Jean Sibelius, folk music composition, popular music, Congolese music, Zimbabwean music, Malian music, Nigerian music, Balkan music, electro-acoustic music, alternative tuning systems, early music, nationalism in music.
Selected Publications
Dave Flynn - Complete Works for Solo Guitar Vol 1. Frisbee Publications, Spiddal, Ireland, 2011. Catalogue FP001.
Traditional Irish Music: A Path To New Music, Ph.D Dissertation. Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin, Ireland, December 2010.
Toccata for Obama – Quirk No 6(b), Composition for Alto Saxophone & Guitar. Reed Music, Fitzroy, Australia, 2010. Catalogue RM758
Four Études for Five Finger in Postlewate, Charles (ed.) A Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music. Mel Bay Publications, Pacific MO, USA, 2009. Catalogue No. 21290
Contemporary Traditional Irish Guitar, Compact Disk. Frisbee Records, Spiddal, Ireland, 2009. Catalogue FR CD 002.
Draíocht, Compact Disk. Frisbee Records, Spiddal, Ireland, 2006. Catalogue FR CD 001.
Looking for the Irish Bartók, Article published in Quinn, Toner (ed.) The Journal of Music in Ireland, July/August 2005 edition.
Young Composer’s Collective, Article published in Quinn, Toner (ed.) The Journal of Music in Ireland, March/April 2004 edition.
Major Awards and Grants
2011 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2010 Special Award in commemoration of the World Premiere of ‘Aontacht’
presented by Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland.
2010 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2008 Arts Council of Ireland Deis Award
2005 Music Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland
2004 Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival - Young Composer’s Award
2002 Feis Ceoil, Dublin - IMRO Senior Composition Award
Major Commissions and Performances
2011
- September Irish tour by The Irish Chamber Orchestra with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill featuring newly commissioned work ‘An Irish Farrago – from O’Carolan to Ó Ríada’ and ‘Music for the Departed’
-
August Guest Composer-in-Residence with Masters of Tradition Festival, Bantry,
including portrait concert of compositions performed by Harry Bradley, Aoífe Ní
Bhríain, Caoímhín Ó Raghallaigh and Mick O’Brien
- Performances at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland including world premiere of new solo guitar work ‘An Irish Raga’.
- March Guest Composer-in-Residence with Galway Music Residencyincluding portrait concert of compositions performed by ConTempo Quartet, Mick O’Brien and Breanndán Begley
2010
- November World Premiere of ‘Aontacht’ and other works commissioned by RTÉ and performed by Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall, Dublin
- April US Premiere of ‘Music for the Departed’ at the Irish Arts Center, New York
2009
- July US Premiere of String Quartet No.2 'The Cranning' by New Juilliard Ensemble at Summergarden, Museum of Modern Art, New York.
- March World Premiere of 'Echoes of Bamako' by the Prague Chamber Orchestra at Prague Premiers Festival, Dvorak Hall, Prague, Czech Republic
2007
- December Music for Galway and Contemporary Music Centre commissions 'String Quartet No.3', premiered by ConTempo Quartet in Dublin and Galway
2006
- September RTÉ Lyric FM commissions ‘Taibhreamh Ó’Ríada’, premiered by Líadan at the 2007 EBU Folk Festival, Cork
- August West Cork Music commissions 'Music for the Departed', premiered by Martin Hayes, Dennis Cahill and Ioana Petcu-Colan at Masters of Tradition Festival, Bantry
2005
- Mel Bay Publications commissions 'Four Etudes for Five Fingers' for publication in the book 'Contemporary Anthology of Solo Guitar Music for Five Fingers of the Right Hand' (Published 2009)
2004
- Huddersfield
Contemporary Music Festival commissions String Quartet No.2 'The Cranning', premiered by the
Smith Quartet.
Recent Education and Outreach Work
Sept 2011 Workshops and lecture at University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, Estonia
April 2011: Inishowen Guitar Festival, workshop with transition year music students in Schoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland
April 2011: Workshop in Scoil Náisiúnta Olibhear Pluinceid Rann Na Feirste, Annagary, Co. Donegal, Ireland
March 2011: Galway Music Residency, workshop for music students from Colaiste na Coiribe and Colaiste Iognaid,
Ireland.
Dec 2010: Dublin Institute of Technology, Conservatory of Music and Drama. Composition workshop with
undergraduate and post-graduate students
July 2009: Juilliard School of Music and Drama, New York. Workshop on Irish music techniques with undergraduates
involved in the New Juilliard Ensemble.
March 2009: Gheorghe Dima Academy of Music, Cluj, Romania. Workshop on Irish contemporary and traditional music
with academy students
Recent Broadcasting and Media Work
September 2011: Irish Chamber Orchestra promotional web video - Interviewed with Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill
March 2011: RTÉ Lyric FM, The Lyric Concert – Interview with Peter Browne as interval feature for broadcast of
November 2010 concert in the National Concert Hall.
March 2011: Galway Independent – Interview with Arts Correspondent in advance of Galway Music Residency.
March 2011: RTÉ Lyric FM, Nova – Interview with Bernard Clarke in advance of Galway Music Residency.
Nov 2010: RTÉ Radio 1, Morning Ireland. Interview with Colman O’Sullivan in advance of premiere of Aontacht by
Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Nov 2010: The Irish Times – Interview with Arminta Wallace in advance of premiere of Aontacht by Martin Hayes and
the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Oct 2010: Contemporary Music Centre – Video interview and podcast with Jonathan Grimes in advance of premiere of
Aontacht by Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
July 2010: Radio Kalmar, Sweden – Live performance broadcast in advance of the Secret Festival.
March 2009: WNYC New Sounds, New York. Complete edition of the show dedicated to Dave Flynn’s music, includes
interview with John Schaefer.
Press Quotes and Endorsements
'Dave Flynn occupies a unique position in the world of music: his work reflects an intimate and respectful knowledge of the Irish folk tradition along with deep insight and skill in the world of modern classical composition.'
- Martin Hayes (Internationally renowned Irish musician)
‘’Dave Flynn is rapidly establishing himself as a central figure in Irish composition. His fascination with Irish traditional music brings a new perspective into this arena of composition and raises a fresh debate on a century-old interactive process between classical music traditions and indigenous orally transmitted music.’’
– Dr. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
"Irish music is this Dublin composer’s passion and main inspiration, and at times he has the quartet’s two violinists digging into their instruments with the kind of power and grittiness you hear from Celtic fiddlers at their most raucous."
- Alan Kozinn, (The NewYork Times)
“If folksperimentation was a genre, this immersive blend of classical composition and Irish jig arrangement would fall right in its place. Perhaps most impressive of all are Flynn’s orchestral and song-writing skills; he pens seductive and warming tracks which are performed with a level of class unparalleled in a lot of folk/classical crossovers”.
– Andrew Latimer (Three Weeks Daily, Edinburgh Review)
'the piece (The Keening) is notable for evoking the ancient via relatively modern string techniques that remain new sounding. Flynn has successfully appropriated something from Irish traditional music without any hint of "Celtic twilight" crossover style.'
-Michael Dungan (The Irish Times)
‘What struck me about Flynn was his self-confidence and sure-footedness. He had something to say in his music and was damned well going to say it. The audience loved it and so did the players—the Smith Quartet’
– Barbara Slaughter, (WSWS Arts Review)
‘Listening to his light and sensitive touch, it becomes clear that he is a very fine player who has thorough understanding of the subtle nuances of Irish fiddle tunes. Dave Flynn is a masterful guitarist.’
- Tom Druckenmiller (Sing Out!)
