The innovative Dutch ensemble Black Pencil will give a concert on Thursday next, February 2 at 8pm in the Aula Maxima. The event is presented by Music for Galway in association with Arts in Action NUIG.

Earlier that day, at 1pm audiences will have the chance to meet members of Black Pencil for an informal discussion, with a performance by two of the ensemble at the Cube, Áras na Mac Léinn, NUI Galway.

Black Pencil focus on new repertoire and adventurous self-penned arrangements influenced by folk cultures and draw inspiration from the enormous contrasts within folk music.

The programme, Pulso Llanero features a unique combination of contemporary works specially written for the ensemble, together with sparkling arrangements of folk tunes from the northern coast of South America.

Black Pencil was founded 2010 with the aim of presenting exciting new music and dazzling improvisations within a unique instrumental setup.

Their debut concert took place in the same year at the prestigious Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and was followed by invitations to perform world premieres of new works during the Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Festival.

The instrumental core of the ensemble consists of blockflutes (Jorge Isaac), panflute (Matthijs Koene), viola (Esra Pehlivanli), accordion (Marko Kassl) and percussion (Enric Monfort). Depending on the programme, guest musicians are invited to enlarge the structure with instruments such as oud or electronics.

Tickets for the Black Pencil concert on Thursday next, February 2 cost €20, Members & Concessions €16, and Students (aged under 26) €6. They are available at Music for Galway: 091-705962, or Opus II, 4 High Street, or www.tht.ie