'18' In Honour Of Belfast Suffrage

For Choir, Amplified Strings, Keyboard & Tape

Belfast-based composer Keith Acheson’s 18, is a work for 2 female choirs, amplified strings, keyboard and tape celebrating/commemorating the history of women’s suffrage in Belfast. Performed at Crumlin Road Gaol, the piece is a site-specific work which, whilst highlighting the building’s unique structure, will draw on stories from some of the key women involved in the struggle for equality in its 100th Year anniversary.

Through their very own words, interspersed with original text by poet Maria McManus, the work attempts to create a memory space in their honour.

About the composer

Keith Acheson was awarded a PhD in Composition from the Ulster University in 2001 studying under David Morris and Ian Wilson.

He has also studied with the late James Wilson, Martijn Padding, Kalevi Aho and Ake Pamerud.

Along with many pieces for choir, he has had work performed by the Ulster Orchestra, Gemini Ensemble, Arco String Quartet, HuuJ Ensemble, Philippa Davies, Anne-Marie O’Farrell and Brian Keenan.

He is currently Choir Master of the Sing For Life, Belfast Trust and Crescendo community choirs.