Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Musicians-in-Residence Scheme 2026
- Closing date: Thursday 12 February at 2pm
The Unconquerable Soul is a new large-scale work by Irish composer Rhona Clarke. Commissioned by Music Network, in collaboration with Music Generation to mark Music Network’s 40th anniversary, and celebrate the long-standing relationship between the two organisations.
Music Network established Music Generation in 2011 following a decade-long campaign for equal access to music education for every child and young person in Ireland. Today, Music Generation, a subsidiary company of Music Network, continues to open up the world of music for children and young people across the country. Delivering 125,513 Music Education tuition hours in 2024 with 132,500 programme participants taking part in their activities, they continue to provide hundreds of different programmes across all styles of music for children and young people every year.
Clarke’s composition is a three-movement work based on poems reflecting on hope as an enduring force in human life. It has been written for the internationally renowned Trio Bohémo, to be performed with Music Generation string ensembles and adult choirs from Kerry and Louth. From early January, the choirs will work with their own conductors and also have an opportunity to learn from and engage with choral specialist Alan Leech, while the young string ensembles will rehearse with Music Generation Musician Educators before joining Trio Bohémo for dedicated rehearsal sessions in March.
The Unconquerable Soul will receive two performances during Trio Bohémo’s Music Network tour in April 2026. Conducted by Amy Ryan, the first concert takes place on 15 April at St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, Drogheda with Setanta Choir and the Music Generation Louth Senior String Orchestra . The second, on 19 April at Siamsa Tíre, Tralee, features Cór Seoda Tíre and the Music Generation Kerry String Ensemble.
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education programme with a mission to empower children and young people through access to music.
Rhona Clarke
Rhona Clarke was born in Dublin where her early musical experiences were in piano and choral music. She studied music at University College, Dublin, and completed a PhD at Queen’s University, Belfast and is a former associate professor at Dublin City University. Her output includes choral, chamber, orchestral and electronic works. Influenced by a wide variety of composers, the style is a synthesis of contemporary and traditional classical music. Ongoing collaborations with visual artist Marie Hanlon concern film and sound installation work, further expanding her artistic reach.
With regular commissions both nationally and internationally, her work has been performed and broadcast throughout Ireland and worldwide and has represented Ireland at the International Rostrum of Composers and the ISCM World Music Days.
The many recordings of her works include two portrait albums on the Métier, Divine Art Recordings label: A Different Game (Fidelio Trio, 2017), Sempiternam, a CD of Clarke’s choral music performed by the State Choir Latvija (2021).
Rhona Clarke is a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s affiliation of creative artists.
