Crash Ensemble create fundraising campaign to support 30th anniversary musical commissions

Crash Ensemble has created a fundraising campaign, CRASH30, to fund three new musical commissions as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations in 2027.

The campaign aims to commission three new three-minute works - for strings, wind and rhythm - through an open call for Irish and Ireland-based composers. The music and composers remain secret until their official premiere during the 30th anniversary celebrations.

"Every contribution will help support the creation of new music by Irish and Ireland-based composers," reads a statement.

They have raised €1,942 to date, with €1058 remaining to reach the target. It closes on October 28.

Donors receive early access to a new series of seven Postcard films, created by filmmaker Laura Sheeran and featuring music by composers Paul Scully, Neil O'Connor, Maeve Kelly and more.

Donations of €30 unlock one film, with an additional film for every €30 donated, while donations of €200 or more provide access to all seven.

Crash Ensemble is a Dublin-based music group formed in 1997 by composer Donnacha Dennehy, conductor and pianist Andrew Synnott and clarinetist Michael Seaver. They are led by artistic director and cellist Kate Ellis and CEO Siân Cunningham.

The group have performed internationally at venues like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Royal Opera House, and have worked with artists the likes of Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Louis Andriessen, Gavin Friday and Dawn Upshaw.

In February, they shared their latest album, The First Child, which features the ensemble conducted by Ryan McAdams as part of the final opera in a trilogy by Dennehy and Enda Walsh.

They also have a run of upcoming Irish shows, including on Sunday at Dublin's National Concert Hall, where they will perform Heiner Goebbels' Songs of Wars I Have Seen with the Irish Baroque Orchestra.

The ensemble will then travel to Galway on October 17 at St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church and October 18 at Sullivan's Royal Hotel, before heading to Wicklow's Courthouse Arts Centre on October 23.

Tickets for their upcoming performances can be found here.

Donations to their fundraising campaign can be made here.