November NUI Galway Medical Orchestra Perform Concert in Aid of Cancer Care West

NUI Galway’s Medical Orchestra will present a varied and rich progrmame of work to include the premiere of a five-minute original piece of music entitled Vena Vitae, as part of the Arts in Action 2018-2019 programme. The concert is in aid of Cancer Care West and takes place on Wednesday, 5 December at 6pm in the O’Donoghue Centre at NUI Galway.

This original piece of music, Vena Vitae was composed and arranged by Máirtín O Connor and Garry O Briain that features a scientific background involving the sounds emanating from a chemotherapy machine as the infusion reaches the patient. The piece captures rhythms and the translation of sounds to musical notation and arrangement for all sections of the orchestra, described as “an Ode to healing”.

The Medical Orchestra will be joined by an ensemble of musical guests including Jim Higgins, The Smiths, Carl Hession, Matthew Berrill and Mary McPartlan.

Speaking about this special concert, Mary McPartlan, Artistic Director of Arts in Action at NUI Galway, said: “The orchestra has been in existence now for ten years and its main aim has always been to enrich and support the medical students, in reaching their own individual creative spaces, thereby supporting their overall wellbeing, their academic endeavor and their work in the study of medicine.”

David O’Donnell from Cancer Care West, said: “Cancer Care West are thrilled to be the benefiting charity from this very unique fundraising event. Funds raised will help support cancer patients and their families who are attending our Support Centre on Seamus Quirke Road.”

The medical students’ participation in the annual Arts in Action programme is one of the highlights of the academic year. The orchestra was formed from a close partnership with colleagues in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, which allows NUI Galway’s medical students to express themselves through their music and contribute positively to the wider community.

Tickets are €15 with all proceeds going to Cancer Care West and available from www.cancercarewest.ie (News and Events), or on the door on the night at the O’Donoghue Centre in NUI Galway.

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