Derravaragh Music Association aims to spread the joy

Every year, Derravaragh Music Association (DMA) hosts world-class Irish and international performers to Tullynally Castle for a series of chamber music concerts. The events are held in the castle’s atmospheric hall, famous for its acoustics, with an enormous fire adding to the ambiance.

The 2023/2024 programme, recently launched, features six concerts between October and March, the first on Saturday October 21, by the Marmen Quartet, whose set includes the first performance of a new piece by Dublin-born composer Garth Knox.

Jane Massy, chair of DMA, explained the difference between chamber and classical music to our reporter: “Chamber music is generally played by small groups; it’s not a big orchestra… they would have, traditionally, going back to the 18th and 19th century, be held in a small area, maybe in a private house.”

Established in 1987, DMA is a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. As the hall at Tullynally has been the setting of chamber music concerts since the 18th century, the DMA keeps this tradition alive while also supporting musicians.

Typically, the music is classical, but Jane asks performers to include at least one contemporary piece. “My preference is always one piece by an Irish and woman composer. That isn’t always possible… but if we don’t support contemporary composers, there will be none,” said Jane.

The annual young performers’ concert is in February. This free event is one of Jane’s highlights and showcases competition winners from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. “We encourage families to come along to that, particularly if they’ve got young children who are learning to play an instrument. It’s a lovely opportunity for them to see other young musicians play, to see a 12- 13- 14-year-old being able to play the most extraordinary standard of music is just amazing.”

Tullynally hall seats 150 people and most concerts sell out. Jane thinks that is partly because of the quality of the music and partly because of the venue. “It’s obviously a stunning hall… within the whole of the midlands, it is the most important performance space for chamber music. There’s chamber music played elsewhere, but none of it has the extraordinary atmosphere of this place… it really makes you feel, as an audience member as well as a performer, that you’re in an extraordinarily special place.”

Jane emphasised that you don’t need to be familiar with this style of music to appreciate it. “Can everybody enjoy this? Yes they can. It is an evening of pure pleasure,” said Jane. She said spending a couple of hours relaxing, listening “to beautiful music” is particularly beneficial in “today’s very busy, rushed world” and hopes the new programme inspires people to experience chamber music for the first time, especially younger listeners.

“What we now need to do is get people who like to listen to other kinds of music to open up their ears to more classical music. We are producing new musicians in Ireland every year. If we don’t support them, they’ll go abroad or they’ll give up… so we need lots of young people to be listening to young people,” added Jane.

After each performance, there’s an option for concert-goers to stay on for supper in Tullynally Castle’s octagonal dining room, which adds to the experience. Jane encourages attendees to “get a bit dressed up”.

“Make it a special occasion… it doesn’t have to be very grand, but whatever your idea of getting dressed up is for a nice night out. I think all of that adds to it and you feel then when you come into the hall that you’re there for a special night.”

Visit derravaraghmusic.ie to view the new programme and book tickets.