Michael Holohan facts for kids
Michael Holohan (born March 27, 1956) is a talented Irish composer. A composer is someone who writes music. He has created many different kinds of music, from pieces for big orchestras to songs for choirs and solo singers. His music has been enjoyed by people in Ireland and around the world.
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About Michael Holohan
Michael Holohan was born in Drumcondra, a part of Dublin, Ireland. He went to O'Connell School and then studied at University College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast. He learned how to compose music from teachers like Jane O'Leary and Seóirse Bodley. He also attended special classes, called masterclasses, with famous composers like Olivier Messiaen and Pierre Boulez in France.
Michael was the leader of the Association of Irish Composers (AIC) for a few years. Later, he became the chairman of the Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda. He has lived in Drogheda since the mid-1980s.
In 1999, Michael was chosen to join Aosdána. This is a special group for artists in Ireland. He is also a member and a past leader of the Toscaireacht of Aosdána.
Michael's Music
Michael Holohan writes music for many different things. He composes for single instruments, small groups of musicians, and even full orchestras. He also writes music for the stage, for choirs, and for singers.
He has worked with famous poets, including Nobel Prize winners Seamus Heaney and Tomas Tranströmer. He has also collaborated with Paul Durcan.
Michael has lived in Drogheda since 1983. His music has been played and broadcast on radio and TV both in Ireland and in other countries. Some important performances in Drogheda include:
- Cromwell was performed during the "Drogheda 800" celebrations in 1994.
- The Mass of Fire was broadcast live on RTÉ TV in 1995.
- No Sanctuary was performed with the famous poet Seamus Heaney in 1997.
- He also had two big concerts with The Boyne Valley Chamber Orchestra at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2018 and 2019.
Selected Compositions
Here are some of the musical pieces Michael Holohan has created:
Orchestral Music
Orchestral music is written for a large group of instruments, like a symphony orchestra.
- Cromwell (1994)
- Leaves of Glass (1995)
- Building Bridges (1995)
Ensemble Music
Ensemble music is for a smaller group of musicians.
- Triangulum (1977)
- Macehead (1992)
- A Snail in my Prime (2000) - this piece includes words by Paul Durcan.
Choir Music
Choir music is written for a group of singers.
- An Stoirm, Bagairt na Marbh & Sos (1981-4) - these pieces use words by Seán Ó Ríordáin.
- Anahorish & Oracle (1988) - these pieces use words by Seamus Heaney.
- Mass of Fire (1995)
- Quis est Deus? (2001)
- In the Empty Hills (2009) - this piece uses words by Wang Wei.
Voice Music
Voice music is written for a solo singer.
- Kubla Khan (1974) - Michael won the RTÉ Young Composer of the Year award for this in 1974.
- Thomas McDonagh (1987) - this piece uses words by Francis Ledwidge.
- The Given Note (1989) - this piece uses words by Seamus Heaney.
- The Potter's Field (1990) - this piece uses words by Ivan Lalic.
Solo Instrument Music
Solo music is written for just one instrument.
- By a River (1985), for piano
- Aoise (1988), for piano
- The Road to Lough Swilly (2001), for uilleann pipes
- Monaincha (2002), for piano
Stage Music
Stage music is written for plays or performances.
- Running Beast (2007) - this piece uses words by Donal O'Kelly.
- Where a Single Footprint Lasts a Thousand Years (2009) - this piece uses words by Ernest Shackleton and Bill Manhire.
Electro-Acoustic Music
Electro-Acoustic music combines electronic sounds with acoustic (traditional instrument) sounds.
- The Source (1990)
- July 23rd Dawn (1990)
Recordings of His Music
Here are some albums featuring Michael Holohan's music:
- A River of Memories (1999) - co-produced by Breida Delaney
- Fields of Blue and White (2010) - features pianist Thérèse Fahy
- The Road to Lough Swilly (2019) - features Mick O' Brien on uilleann pipes and The Boyne Valley Chamber Orchestra
