An Interview with Vincent Kennedy

CMC Composer of the Month January 2008

Vincent Kennedy talks to Michael Quinn about his musical influences, composing for wind and concert bands, hisHook Headcommission, the Rathfarnham Concert Band and his upcoming concert at the National Concert Hall.

Listen to the full podcast here:

Episode 1:

  • Musical Influences
  • The need to compose
  • Composing for wind and concert band
  • Hook Head commission

Music excerpts used:

0:15 Baginbun -1170AD (Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Derek Gleeson) © RTÉ
3:05 Sea Land and Sky from The Hook (New Ross & District Pipe Band, New Ross Holy Family Confraternity Band, Members of the Rathfarnham Concert Band, conductor Vincent Kennedy) © Vincent Kennedy
6:40 Tommy Donnybrook (Nicola Cleary [vn], Eamon Nolan [tpt], James Dunne [perc], Francis McGee [tuba]) © lyric FM
8:55 What’s a Heaven For? (Rathfarnham Concert Band, conductor Vincent Kennedy) © Vincent Kennedy
11:00 Invasion and Assimilation from The Hook (New Ross & District Pipe Band, New Ross Holy Family Confraternity Band, Members of the Rathfarnham Concert Band, conductor Vincent Kennedy) © Vincent Kennedy
12:00 Tommy Donnybrook (Nicola Cleary [vn], Eamon Nolan [tpt], James Dunne [perc], Francis McGee [tuba]) © lyric FM

Episode 2:

  • Involvement with the Rathfarnham Concert Band
  • The importance of community-based bands
  • Upcoming concert in the National Concert Hall

Music excerpts used:

0:15 Baginbun -1170AD (Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra, conductor Derek Gleeson) © RTÉ
3:55 What’s a Heaven For? (Rathfarnham Concert Band, conductor Vincent Kennedy) © Vincent Kennedy
6:05 & 9:00 Tommy Donnybrook (Nicola Cleary [vn], Eamon Nolan [tpt], James Dunne [perc], Francis McGee [tuba]) © lyric FM
 

Vincent Kennedy was interviewed on video by Michael Quinn in the Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin, on 15 November 2007.

The views expressed in this interview are those of the persons concerned and are not necessarily those of the Contemporary Music Centre.