Bodley, SeÓirse

Bodley, SeÓirse, Irish composer, teacher, conductor, and pianist; b. Dublin, April 4, 1933. He studied in Dublin at the Royal Irish Academy of Music and at Univ. Coll. (B.M., 1955). Following training in Stuttgart (1957–59) with J.N. David (composition), Alfred Kreutz (piano), and Hans Müller–Kray (conducting), he returned to Dublin and took his D.Mus. at Univ. Coll. (1960). In 1959 he joined its faculty, where he also conducted its chorus and orch., and founded its electro–acoustic studio. He appeared as a conductor with other Dublin ensembles, introducing many works to the city. His 2 nd Sym., Ceol, inaugurated the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Sept. 9, 1981. Bodley was founding chairman of the Folk Music Soc. of Ireland and of the Assn. of Irish Composers. In 1982 he was made a member of Aosdána, Ireland’s official body of distinguished artists. While Bodley has composed a number of works in which traditional Irish music is discernable, he has also written scores in an avant–garde mode, including serial techniques and novel instrumental combinations.