Bill McGrath

// bio

Bill McGrath is a young composer from Carlow. He graduated from the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2012 with a BA in Composition. In addition to his compositional work under Kevin O'Connell and Jonathan Nanagle, Bill studied music technology, conducting and piano during his time at the RIAM. He was also a founding member of the Kirkos Ensemble, one of Ireland's most successful young new music groups, and wrote his undergraduate thesis on the works of György Ligeti. After receiving his BA, Bill continued to study piano, receiving an Associate Diploma in piano teaching from the RIAM in 2013.

His postgraduate studies were undertaken at the University of York, where he worked under Jonathan Eato, as well as Roger Marsh, Thomas Simaku and Ambrose Field. In his time at York, Bill became involved with the University's Chimera Ensemble.

Outside of formal education, Bill has attended masterclasses, summer schools, and private lessons with many internationally-recognised composers including Grainne Mulvey, Nicola LeFanu, and Bent Sorensen. His Prelude and Fugue for String Quartet won the 2012 West Cork Chamber Music Composition Competition.

He has been a member of the ICC since 2010.

As well as composing, Bill is active as a music educator, teaching piano, clarinet, and saxophone. He writes about music both journalistically and academically, where his focus is particularly on metal music in sub-Saharan Africa.