The Arts Council in association with the College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences in University College Cork (UCC) and the School of Music and Theatre (UCC) have appointed renowned performer and composer Niall Vallely as the Traditional Artist in Residence at University College Cork 2014–15. Vallely will deliver a series of concerts, workshops and seminars over the course of his one year residency, which began in October 2014.
Niall Vallely was born in Armagh in 1970 and began playing the concertina at the age of seven, taught by his parents Brian and Eithne Vallely, founders of the Armagh Pipers' Club. Over the years he has developed a unique approach to playing the instrument and has established himself as one of the most important Irish traditional musicians on the international stage.
Vallely has been the creative force behind several important traditional music ensembles, including Nomos and Buille. In addition, as a composer he has written many highly distinctive traditional tunes which have entered the traditional music repertoire and which have been recorded by many artists. In recent years his compositions have embraced large-scale forms and instrumentation. He has been commissioned by RTÉ Lyric FM, BBC Northern Ireland, William Kennedy Piping Festival and UCC among others.
The School of Music and Theatre at UCC , which is hosting Vallely, has pioneered the study of Irish traditional music. He is warmly welcomed there by a team of internationally recognised traditional musicians that includes Bobby Gardiner, Matt Cranitch, Connie O'Connell, Colm Murphy, Mary Mitchell-Ingoldsby and Mel Mercier.
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