Irish Diaspora Orchestra Musician Expression of Interest

We would like you to be part of a new initiative to bring extraordinary Irish orchestral musicians working outside of the country back to Ireland to share their talents in a collaborative new orchestral project: IDO: the Irish Diaspora Orchestra.

On Saturday July 3rd and Sunday 4th 2027, Marin Alsop (an Irish passport holder herself) will conduct Beethoven's 9th Symphony with a new Irish text and Irish soloists. The orchestra will be comprised of Irish musicians who are working out side of Ireland and a select group of extremely talented young musicians from the National Youth Orchestra to create the inaugural season of The Irish Diaspora Orchestra. The concerts will take place in Limerick (July 3)and a matinee in Dublin (July 4). Rehearsals are scheduled to begin on June 30th in Limerick.

This exciting project, which we hope will become annual, is an opportunity for you to meet and work with your peers from other orchestras, give back to the next generation of Irish musicians and celebrate Ireland’s enormous talent.

These concerts came about as a result of Marin noting the calibre, breadth and reach of Irish musicians who play in orchestras all over the world and the idea was born to bring these noted musicians together for an event every year.

The concerts in 2027 are being organised in collaboration with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra and National Youth Choir. The promoters and funders are a group who have come together to make this a reality which includes;
conductor Marin Alsop
conductor Karen Ní Bhroin
producer Úna Carmody
Gerard Keenan of the Irish Chamber Orchestra

The terms and conditions:

The Irish Diaspora Orchestra is asking you to fill in your details below and express your interest in being part of this orchestra no later than 2nd October 2026. Expressions of interest cannot be considered after that date.

The events, which have attracted significant private funding, are subject to the receipt of additional funding from The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon which has been applied for.

At the moment we are seeking your in principle agreement to being part of the orchestra on the dates July 3rd and 4th 2027. If you fill out the details below, please pencil these dates in your diary.

Once all applications have been received, we will revert to you to confirm your selection.

Those selected to be in the orchestra will be asked to be present in Limerick from Wednesday June 30th with rehearsals on July 1st and 2nd and concerts on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th, with rehearsal days in Limerick preceding that. All details will be agreed with you in the event that you are part of the orchestra.

Participants will receive a stipend of 1,500 euro to include travel to and from Ireland which you will book yourself. In addition, accommodation, breakfast and lunch will be provided in Limerick for four nights as well as travel to Dublin for the Sunday concert which will finish at 5pm.

We would love to have you be part of this and hope you will provide your details for us. Please fill out and submit the short form below to be considered.

1. What is your name? *This question is required.

2. Where do you come from in Ireland? *This question is required.

3. What instrument do you play? *This question is required.

4.
What is your usual/regular orchestra seat position , ie 1st clarinet, 4th horn, 2nd Oboe doubling Cor Anglaise" etc *This question is required.

5. What country do you currently live/work in? *This question is required.

6. If you are a member of an orchestra / regularly work with the same orchestra currently please tell us which orchestra. *This question is required.

7. If you have been a member of/ regularly worked with other orchestras in the past three years, please let us know which orchestras they are. *This question is required.

8. Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?

9. What is your email address? *This question is required.

10. What is your telephone number? *This question is required.

11. I confirm that I am available and interested in participating in the Irish Diaspora Orchestra concerts on July 3rd and 4th 2027 and wish to be considered for participation. I acknowledge that I understand that this is an in principle expression of interest and subject to final contract. *This question is required.