Irish Memory Orchestra seeking applicants for apprentice scheme
The Irish Memory Orchestra – an orchestra which plays music exclusively from memory – is seeking applications for its Apprentice Scheme until Tuesday, January 31.
The scheme, from the Clare-based orchestra has the added incentive of Bill Whelan Scholarships and the title of Apprentice of the Year available to outstanding applicants.
This innovative cross-genre orchestra training course was devised by the award-winning composer Dr Dave Flynn, a former resident of Spiddal and a regular collaborator with Galway’s Con Tempo Quartet. His Ennis-based orchestra, formerly the Clare Memory Orchestra, has combined the talents of some of Ireland’s leading traditional and classical musicians to create a distinctive new sound.
Nominated for an Allianz Business to Arts Award in 2014, the Orchestra’s Apprentice Scheme is aimed at advanced musicians of all ages and instruments (including voice) who perform traditional, classical and/or jazz music. Uniquely, apprentices do not need to be able to read sheet music to take part. That’s because the orchestra performs from memory.
Since the first apprentice scheme in 2013, more than 150 musicians, including some from the USA and Canada, have travelled to Ireland to perform alongside the Memory Orchestra, sharing the stage with world-class musicians including Galway’s Matthew Berrill, Liz Coleman and Peter Berrill. Past Galway apprentices include the organiser of Spiddal’s Traidphicnic, Bridge Barker and her daughter, Síofra,
The 2017 scheme includes an ambitious plan to develop a spectacular 100-piece orchestra for the world premiere of Dave Flynn's latest work The Memory Symphony.
Legendary Galway accordionist Máirtín O'Connor will be the special guest for performances in major venues in Clare, Galway and Dublin over the October Bank Holiday Weekend, from October 27-29.
■ For more details about the apprentice scheme go to irishmemoryorchestra.com or email [email protected].