DAVE FLYNN'S IRISH MEMORY ORCHESTRA AT CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL 2017.
Photo John O'Neill
ABOUT
The only ensemble of its kind in the world, the Irish Memory Orchestra was founded by Dave Flynn as a vehicle for his award-winning compositions, Always performing from memory, the IMO has wowed audiences from London to Moscow, Clare to Korea with its ground-breaking approach to orchestral music.
The IMO has a core of 20 world-class musicians, conducted by Bjorn Bantock and led by Niamh Varian-Barry. This outstanding ensemble blends ancient Celtic instruments with orchestral strings, winds and brass, electric guitars and a jazz-tinged rhythm section.
The Irish Memory Orchestra regularly collaborates with some of the most renowned traditional Irish musicians including Liz Carroll, Mary Bergin & Máirtín O'Connor. 2018 season highlights included headline performances at London’s Cadogan Hall, Skibbereen Folk Festival and Cork Folk Festival.
The orchestra has played to capacity houses both nationally and internationally including Moscow's Catholic Cathedral and South Korea's Sori Festival. They have performed in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at Ireland's National Concert Hall. In 2015 they were awarded an Allianz Business to Arts Award with the ESB for the ESB's Concert in the Cavern.
2019 saw the culmination of a world-first project, when the IMO were joined by 26 talented blind and vision-impaired musicians to premiere Dave Flynn's 'Vision Symphony' in glór. Read more about the Vision Symphony here
The IMO has a core of 20 world-class musicians, conducted by Bjorn Bantock and led by Niamh Varian-Barry. This outstanding ensemble blends ancient Celtic instruments with orchestral strings, winds and brass, electric guitars and a jazz-tinged rhythm section.
The Irish Memory Orchestra regularly collaborates with some of the most renowned traditional Irish musicians including Liz Carroll, Mary Bergin & Máirtín O'Connor. 2018 season highlights included headline performances at London’s Cadogan Hall, Skibbereen Folk Festival and Cork Folk Festival.
The orchestra has played to capacity houses both nationally and internationally including Moscow's Catholic Cathedral and South Korea's Sori Festival. They have performed in collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at Ireland's National Concert Hall. In 2015 they were awarded an Allianz Business to Arts Award with the ESB for the ESB's Concert in the Cavern.
2019 saw the culmination of a world-first project, when the IMO were joined by 26 talented blind and vision-impaired musicians to premiere Dave Flynn's 'Vision Symphony' in glór. Read more about the Vision Symphony here
MISSION STATEMENT
To redefine orchestral and chamber music through the compositions and arrangements of founder Dave Flynn. To always perform by memory, setting us apart from every orchestra in the western world. To be innovative and inclusive.
VALUES
We seek to work with exceptional musicians including those who wouldn't ordinarily have access to orchestral music. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion has ensured we are a gender-balanced ensemble that has given opportunities to a wide cross-section of the community including blind/visually impaired musicians and people aged 10 to 90.
RESOLVE
For the West of Ireland to have an award-winning orchestra that is the only ensemble of its kind in the world, it has taken determination, resolve and extraordinary artistic vision.
GOVERNANCE
Irish Memory Orchestra Limited is a non-profit Private Company Limited by Shares. Company Number 656735.
THE STRING SECTION OF DAVE FLYNN'S IRISH MEMORY ORCHESTRA. Photo:John O'Neill
THE WIND & REED SECTION OF DAVE FLYNN'S IRISH MEMORY ORCHESTRA. Photo:John O'Neill
THE HORN & PERCUSSION SECTION OF DAVE FLYNN'S IRISH MEMORY ORCHESTRA. Photo:John O'Neill
