David Fennessy

  David Fennessy (b. 1976 Maynooth) began his musical life as guitarist in a school rock band but had no formal musical training until the age of fifteen when he decided to study classical guitar. He became interested in composition whilst studying for his undergraduate degree at the Dublin College of Music. In 1998 Fennessy moved to Glasgow to study for his Masters Degree at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama with James MacMillan. He was later invited to join the composition faculty and has held a teaching post there since 2005.His music has been performed nationally and internationally by many groups including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Modern and London Sinfonietta.Recent significant works include BODIES written for the RTE National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland,  La Rejouissance, La Paix commissioned by Ensemble Modern for their 30th Anniversary celebrations and Pass the Spoon, a “sort-of opera” written in collaboration with the visual artist, David Shrigley.In 2010 he received a prestigious Paul Hamlyn Foundation Award. This British award, providing significant support over three years, aims to give artists the freedom to develop their creative ideas and contribute towards their personal and professional growth. In 2010/2011 he was a Fellow of the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart.Looking ahead, 2013 will see new works for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and a viola concerto for Garth Knox to be premiered at the Huddersfield Festival in England.David’s music is published by Universal Edition.