George Higgs (b. 1968) is a composer whose work includes opera, symphony, compositions for small ensemble, music for experimental theatre, work for installation and a number of HIGGSTRUMENTS which he has designed for the performance of certain compositions. His music has been performed across Ireland, in Russia and the United States and he has received numerous awards and honors including a grant from the Wellcome Trust, the Director's Prize from the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin, numerous Arts Council awards and a MacDowell Fellowship. He holds a Masters degree in music technology from Trinity College Dublin and is represented by the Contemporary Music Centre of Ireland.
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The Jimmy Rig Slip Jig Develops New Components
The Jimmy Rig Slip Jig, which had its highly successful debut performances in 2011, will exhibit new parts and pieces in 2012. The piece involves 6 machinist musicians assembling a large musical instrument in front of an audience and performing on it in the process.
George is currently designing an An Overtone Generator of Variable Temperament and Rhythm, which will involve a single motor driving 12 gear assemblies representing the cycle of fifths.
The piece was initially funded by The Arts Council and Dublin City Council.
Watch The Jimmy Rig Slip Jig Workshop Performance at the Sensorium Festival
Composer in Residence at St. Mary's School for Deaf Girls
George has been working as composer in residence at St. Mary's School for Deaf Girls for the past 2 years. He took up this post in 2010 as part of the Artist in the Community Scheme, when he organized a musical group in the school called The Sense Ensemble. George built an instrument for the Sense Ensemble to perform on which used visual and tactile means of musical expression, as well as auditory. Having been invited to hold the position for a second year, he is currently working on a music project with the primary school girls using a vibrating table.
Watch The Sense Ensemble perform on the Machine of Song
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Please refer to the 'works' section of this website for a comprehensive list of works, as well as audio and video samples of his work.