JMI WINS DESIGN AWARD
Simon O’Connor has won the ‘Designer of the Year’ award at the PPAI national magazine awards for his redesign of the JMI. The PPAI (Periodical Publishers Association of Ireland) awards cover the full range of the Irish magazine industry, with a total of 150 magazines competing. There were over twenty competitors for the design award.  Visit www.simplesimon.ie

AN BÉAL BINN
An Béal Binn promotes the traditional arts in the North Wicklow area and runs a singing club every Thursday from 9pm–11pm in the Sailing Club (opposite the Harbour Bar) in Bray, Co, Wicklow. Special guests for the upcoming weeks include: Aodh Ó Domhnaill and Micheál Ó Gruagáin (Jan 11th); uilleann piper Peter Browne (Jan 18th); Antaine Ó Farracháin (Jan 25th); Joan McDermott (1st Feb); Lorcán MacMathúna (8th Feb); Pádraig Ó Cearbhaill (15th Feb); and Máire Breathnach (22nd Feb). Sean-nós singing classes also take place each week with Róisín Elsafty at 8pm. For more info email anbealbinn [at] gmail.com or phone Róisín at 085-7823411.

TERRY RILEY IN IRELAND
Louth Contemporary Music Society and the Drogheda and Louth County Arts Offices have organised the first visit to Ireland of American composer Terry Riley, one of the founding fathers of minimalism, who will perform in Louth on 4-6 May 2007 in St Peter’s Church, Drogheda. Terry Riley: Spirals of Ragtime and Raga will feature performances and workshops by the composer, a public interview, the Crash Ensemble and the ARTE Quartett from Switzerland. For more information, email exquinn [at] mac.com

UILLEANN-PIPE MAKING
Na Píobairí Uilleann is currently undertaking research into the demand for an accredited, 2-3 year uilleann-pipe making course. If you are a piper and would like more information about this initiative, email info [at] pipers.ie or phone +353-1-8730093.

NEW ARCHIVE PREMISES
The new premises of the Irish Traditional Music Archive at 73 Merrion Square, Dublin (a Georgian heritage building of over 6,000 square feet) were officially opened in November by Mr John O’Donoghue TD, Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism. In its new premises the Archive holds, preserves and gives free public access to the largest collection in existence of the materials of Irish traditional music. For more information visit www.itma.ie (See also ‘Images from the Archive’ on p. 42.)

TRADITIONAL MuSIC BOOKS
Two new traditional music books have recently been published. The Spoons Murder and other mysteries (Craft Recordings) is a collection of comic songs written by Cork singer Con ‘Fada’ Ó Drisceoil and edited by Terry Moylan. Containing 12 songs with introductions by the author, as well as illustrations by Édain O’Donnell, The Spoons Murder also has an accompanying CD. Available by mail order from www.pipers.ie 

The Scribe: the life and works of James O’Neill (Drumlin Publications) by fiddle player and writer Caoimhín MacAoidh is a biography of a collecting partner of Francis O’Neill of Chicago, author of the famous O’Neill collections of traditional Irish music. MacAoidh argues that the contribution of James O’Neill to the collections has not received the recognition it deserves.Visit www. drumlinpublications.com.

TEMPLE BAR TRAD
The 2nd Temple Bar Trad festival, programmed by Finbar Boyle, takes place on 25-28 January in Dublin, including several major concerts, a children’s music session, a pub music trail, adult work- shops and a photo exhibition. Musicians and singers performing include PeterHoran,Ronan Browne, Kevin Glackin, Martin Quinn & Angelina Carberry, Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh, John & Pip Murphy, Lúnasa and Dervish. A new feature, the showcase concerts, will high-light young talented musicians including Seán McKeon, Liam O’Connor and Mikie Smyth (above).

The festival patron is Irish actor and fiddle-player Brendan Gleeson. Visit templebartrad.com

NEW MUSIC REVIEW
The Arts Council has published its review of contemporary music supports in Ireland, Sounds New. Based on research by Graham Devlin Associates, the review concludes with an outline of six priority areas for development: support for performers, performance, composers and promoters; advocacy for contemporary music; recording and publication; audience development; music education; and public policy and future developments. For more information visit www.artscouncil.ie

WRITE FOR THE JMI
Interested in writing for JMI? JMI is always seeking new work. Reviews, interviews, opinion, analysis, essays or letters to the editor, JMI is open to all musical genres.  Email editor [at] thejmi.com