Three musicians appointed as Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Musicians-in-Residence 2024

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Music Network have announced the appointment of the dlr Musicians-In-Residence 2024. This year’s scheme provides two residencies for established musicians - percussionist Brian Fleming and violinist Jane Hackett - and an additional residency to support the work of an emerging musician, for keyboardist Luke Dunford.

Now in its 10th year, the scheme provides musicians with space and time to create new work, develop their skills, collaborate with others and showcase their music.  This year’s residencies will run from June to November and will provide each artist with funding, a dedicated space to work in and mentoring to support their career development. 

Audiences will also have an opportunity to engage with the musicians at a series of public performances and workshops in Dún Laoghaire throughout the residencies. 

The Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Denis O'Callaghan said: “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 DLR Musicians in Residence Scheme, and we look forward to working with them over the coming months. We are very grateful to the Arts Council for funding this Scheme.”

Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council is very pleased to continue our strong working relationship with Music Network on this important collaboration. Congratulations to the selected musicians.”

Our first resident musician is this year’s dlr emerging artist awardee Luke Dunford. The piano and hammond organ player plans to collaborate with songwriter and composer Ciaran O’Malley to write new Funk/Soul songs which will feature on a new album for his band Chief Keegan. They will be working on some brand new ideas as well developing existing material to create new songs. Luke will perform work developed during his residency at a public performance at dlr LexIcon on 10th July. 

Percussionist Brian Fleming, who grew up in the area, will develop new material alongside providing opportunities for people of all ages to experience the joys of percussion playing during his residency. On 14th July, he will present two free workshops Bodhrán for Beginners and Drumming Around the World in addition to co-hosting a workshop with master djembe player Mamady ‘Sakale’ Condé. Brian will also present an informal performance with the band Amerghin on 21st August and showcase excerpts from a new one-man show inspired by the teachers who influenced him in dlr LexIcon on 8th September.

The final 2024 Residency begins in late September. Jane Hackett, an award winning violinist and mixed genre performance artist specialising in classical and contemporary music, will be developing an interactive concert experience for Deaf audiences. Working with composer George Higgs and Deaf artist Lianne Quigley she will create an interactive sound walk performance for audience members, inspired by the sounds of Dun Laoghaire. Engaging with Dublin Theatre of the Deaf through a series of workshops, Jane will also present a multi-sensory concert through violin performance, vibratory elements and movement on 8th November in dlr LexIcon to mark the end of this third and final residency of 2024.

Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “It’s a pleasure to work with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council once again on the management of this annual scheme. These residencies will provide valuable time and resources for the appointed musicians to develop their artistic practice, advance their careers and produce exciting new work which we look forward to sharing with local audiences as the year unfolds.” 

The Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Musicians-in-Residence Scheme is jointly funded by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and the Arts Council and is managed by Music Network.