Eibhlis Farrell facts for kids

Eibhlis Farrell (born on July 27, 1953) is a talented composer from Northern Ireland. She writes many different kinds of music. Her pieces have been played all over the world.

About Her Life

Eibhlis Farrell grew up in Rostrevor, a town in County Down, Northern Ireland. She started writing music when she was quite young. She studied music at Queen's University, Belfast. Later, she continued her studies at Bristol University with Raymond Warren. She also learned from famous composers like Charles Wuorinen and Robert Moevs. Eibhlis earned her doctorate degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey, USA.

After finishing her studies, Eibhlis became a full-time composer. She also worked as the Head of Music Creative Media at the Dundalk Institute of Technology. This means she helped students learn about music and media. Her music has been performed and broadcast in many countries. In 2007, she was chosen for a special artist's residency in Canada. This allowed her to focus on creating new music. She is also a member of Aosdána, a group that honors Irish artists.

Her Music Works

Eibhlis Farrell has written a wide variety of music. She composes for different groups of instruments and voices. Here are some of the types of music she creates:

Music for Orchestras

An orchestra is a large group of musicians playing many different instruments. Eibhlis has written pieces for full orchestras.

• A Day at the Races
• Popcorn Overture
• Kilbroney Set (This piece includes traditional Irish instruments!)

Music for Bands

She has also composed music for bands, especially brass bands. These bands feature instruments like trumpets, trombones, and tubas.

• Fanfare for President Robinson
• Soundshock

Concertos

A concerto is a piece of music where one or more solo instruments play with an orchestra.

• Romanza for flute and orchestra
• Concerto Grosso for two violins, a cello, and a string orchestra

Chamber and Instrumental Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, usually one player per part. Instrumental music is for a single instrument.

• Five Trifles for oboe and piano
• String Quartet No. 2 (for four string instruments)
• Musings for solo violin
• Earthshine for harp
• Orpheus Sings for violin and guitar

Music for Organ and Piano

Eibhlis has written pieces for the organ, a very large instrument often found in churches. She has also composed many pieces for the piano.

• Play (Organ)
• Dancing (Organ)
• Time Drops (Piano)
• Gleann na Sídhe – The Fairy Glen (Piano)

Vocal Music

Vocal music is written for singers. This can be for a single singer or a small group.

• Eleven Celtic Epigrams for a mezzo-soprano (a type of female voice) and orchestra
• Songs of Death for mezzo-soprano and piano
• The Silken Bed for mezzo-soprano, violin, cello, and piano

Choral Music

Choral music is written for a choir, which is a large group of singers.

• Moods for a mixed choir (with male and female voices) without instruments
• Christmas Carols
• Exultet for singers, choir, and orchestra
• Ave Maria for a soprano and female choir