2024/25 Season Production Offerings
The Irish Memory Orchestra is preparing for its second decade with a series of programme options to suit venues and festivals of all sizes. Please view these options and contact us for further information and bookings.
Orchestral: 20-80 musicians.
Our pioneering memorised orchestral events, suited for festivals and large venues.
Vision & Memory:
Our most ambitious project to date. This inspiring event is a world’s first project which brings together musicians with sight-loss and fully sighted musicians in symphonic performances. It features our outstanding core professional orchestra with our youth orchestra and choir and several talented guest musicians. This project comes with considerable critical acclaim and many award-nominations, including the recent announcement that we are finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
Our most ambitious project to date. This inspiring event is a world’s first project which brings together musicians with sight-loss and fully sighted musicians in symphonic performances. It features our outstanding core professional orchestra with our youth orchestra and choir and several talented guest musicians. This project comes with considerable critical acclaim and many award-nominations, including the recent announcement that we are finalists in the National Lottery Good Causes Awards.
Joyful Joyce:
Showcasing our core 20 piece orchestra, “a formidable collective of musicians” (Irish Times). This programme features a brand new Joyce-inspired Arts Council-funded commission from our principal harpist Anne-Marie O’Farrell, alongside a new version of Dave Flynn’s exhuberant work ‘Joy’, originally commissioned by Crash Ensemble. ‘Joy’ mixes the infectious Congolese guitar styles of Niwel Tsumbu with New York minimalism and, in this new version, traditional Irish instruments. The rest of the event features some audience favourites from our first decade together.
Showcasing our core 20 piece orchestra, “a formidable collective of musicians” (Irish Times). This programme features a brand new Joyce-inspired Arts Council-funded commission from our principal harpist Anne-Marie O’Farrell, alongside a new version of Dave Flynn’s exhuberant work ‘Joy’, originally commissioned by Crash Ensemble. ‘Joy’ mixes the infectious Congolese guitar styles of Niwel Tsumbu with New York minimalism and, in this new version, traditional Irish instruments. The rest of the event features some audience favourites from our first decade together.
A Decade of Memories:
Featuring the orchestra size of 12 musicians that we had at our debut performance for 2012 Clare Culture Night, this programme celebrates our first decade with an engaging and dynamic selection of repertoire we developed from 2012-2022. In some circumstances, these events can be supplemented by including some members of our Youth and Apprentice orchestras, this is especially good for connecting with communities where these members are based, particularly Clare, Galway, Cork, Dublin and Northern Ireland.
Featuring the orchestra size of 12 musicians that we had at our debut performance for 2012 Clare Culture Night, this programme celebrates our first decade with an engaging and dynamic selection of repertoire we developed from 2012-2022. In some circumstances, these events can be supplemented by including some members of our Youth and Apprentice orchestras, this is especially good for connecting with communities where these members are based, particularly Clare, Galway, Cork, Dublin and Northern Ireland.
Ensemble: 7-10 musicians, suitable for medium scale events.
Le Cheile/Together:
A ten-piece ensemble from the orchestra present an energetic performance centered around Dave Flynn’s audacious 25-minute tune extravaganza - Le Cheile is in Aonar (Together but Alone). In this work, numerous Irish traditional tunes are spun within and around each other to hypnotic effect. First premiered to a standing ovation at the Masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry, the piece is a mind-blowing form of contrapuntal trainspotting for traditional music afficionados that will appeal to fans of The Bothy Band, Steve Reich and J.S. Bach alike.
A ten-piece ensemble from the orchestra present an energetic performance centered around Dave Flynn’s audacious 25-minute tune extravaganza - Le Cheile is in Aonar (Together but Alone). In this work, numerous Irish traditional tunes are spun within and around each other to hypnotic effect. First premiered to a standing ovation at the Masters of Tradition Festival in Bantry, the piece is a mind-blowing form of contrapuntal trainspotting for traditional music afficionados that will appeal to fans of The Bothy Band, Steve Reich and J.S. Bach alike.
Irish Airs and Graces:
An innovative programme of Irish music ancient and new, mixing string quartet with Irish traditional instruments and voices. First presented with the New Zealand String Quartet in an acclaimed 2023 New Zealand tour, we offer the show to Irish audience for the first time in 2024. Expect imaginative re-imaginings of music by Turlough O’Carolan, Mairtin O’Connor, Liz Carroll, Breanndán Begley, Finbarr Dwyer, John Dwyer, Connie O'Connell and more, alongside Dave Flynn’s groundbreaking ‘E-Bow’ for electric guitar and string quartet.
An innovative programme of Irish music ancient and new, mixing string quartet with Irish traditional instruments and voices. First presented with the New Zealand String Quartet in an acclaimed 2023 New Zealand tour, we offer the show to Irish audience for the first time in 2024. Expect imaginative re-imaginings of music by Turlough O’Carolan, Mairtin O’Connor, Liz Carroll, Breanndán Begley, Finbarr Dwyer, John Dwyer, Connie O'Connell and more, alongside Dave Flynn’s groundbreaking ‘E-Bow’ for electric guitar and string quartet.
Stories from the Old World:
A magical, mystical programme of Dave Flynn’s ground-breaking classical-meets-trad ensemble music, featuring vocals, uilleann pipes and string quartet. First performed at the 2019 Farmleigh Music and Arts Festival, this programme includes the mesmerising ‘Stories from the Old World’, which highlights the beauty and humour of Peig Sayers writings, sung and narrated by exceptional vocalists, with soulful piping bringing the string quartet into previously uncharted musical territory. The concert also features ‘Calmly Awaiting the End’, a moving and theatrical tribute to Irish revolutionary Eammon Ceannt, as well as exhilarating performances of one of Flynn’s most performed works, String Quartet No.2 ‘The Cranning’. Stories from the Old World and The Cranning feature on Flynn's acclaimed album 'Irish Minimalism', produced by multi-Grammy winner Judith Sherman.
A magical, mystical programme of Dave Flynn’s ground-breaking classical-meets-trad ensemble music, featuring vocals, uilleann pipes and string quartet. First performed at the 2019 Farmleigh Music and Arts Festival, this programme includes the mesmerising ‘Stories from the Old World’, which highlights the beauty and humour of Peig Sayers writings, sung and narrated by exceptional vocalists, with soulful piping bringing the string quartet into previously uncharted musical territory. The concert also features ‘Calmly Awaiting the End’, a moving and theatrical tribute to Irish revolutionary Eammon Ceannt, as well as exhilarating performances of one of Flynn’s most performed works, String Quartet No.2 ‘The Cranning’. Stories from the Old World and The Cranning feature on Flynn's acclaimed album 'Irish Minimalism', produced by multi-Grammy winner Judith Sherman.
Chamber: 3-6 musicians, suited for more intimate stages.
Beethoven Re-Jigged:
A chamber music programme bringing new perspectives to Beethoven’s numerous settings of Irish songs. Balancing classical precision and virtuosity with authentic interpretation of the traditional Irish melodies that so-inspired Beethoven. Our musician’s dual abilities as classical and traditional musicians make us uniquely placed to present this programme in a revelatory fashion.
A chamber music programme bringing new perspectives to Beethoven’s numerous settings of Irish songs. Balancing classical precision and virtuosity with authentic interpretation of the traditional Irish melodies that so-inspired Beethoven. Our musician’s dual abilities as classical and traditional musicians make us uniquely placed to present this programme in a revelatory fashion.
IMO String Quartet or Chamber Group:
A popular choice for chamber concerts and outreach and education events. We can present several diverse programmes combining various instruments, including the IMO String Quartet, featured on the acclaimed Dave Flynn album ‘Irish Minimalism’, produced by 12-time Grammy winner Judith Sherman. Another popular choice is our birdsong-focused programme 'Éin - The Birds of Dublin', which premiered at the 2022 Ruaille Buaille Children's Music Festival. The possibilities are wide here, with many formations from our core 20 piece ensemble.
A popular choice for chamber concerts and outreach and education events. We can present several diverse programmes combining various instruments, including the IMO String Quartet, featured on the acclaimed Dave Flynn album ‘Irish Minimalism’, produced by 12-time Grammy winner Judith Sherman. Another popular choice is our birdsong-focused programme 'Éin - The Birds of Dublin', which premiered at the 2022 Ruaille Buaille Children's Music Festival. The possibilities are wide here, with many formations from our core 20 piece ensemble.
IMO String Quartet
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IMO Chamber Group for 'Éin - The Birds of Dublin'
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IMO Jazz Band:
Our jazz band is drawn from members who have world-class jazz skills, including Neil Yates (trumpet), Niwel Tsumbu (guitar), Matthew Berrill (sax/clarinet), Neil Ó Lochlainn (double bass), Alex Borwick (trombone) and Aidan Dunphy (drums). Orchestra founder Dave Flynn usually joins the ensemble for performances of his jazz-influenced songs and instrumentals which combine traditional Irish music, jazz and other styles in fascinating ways. Neil Yates’ idiosyncratic ‘Matt Molloy meets Miles Davis’ style also comes to the fore in his compositions, which feature prominently in the band's repertoire. The IMO Jazz band have performed at Galway Jazz Festival, the Burren Summer Festival, and within numerous core orchestra concerts, including the following set from our award-winning 2022 'Vision & Memory' project in Galway.
Our jazz band is drawn from members who have world-class jazz skills, including Neil Yates (trumpet), Niwel Tsumbu (guitar), Matthew Berrill (sax/clarinet), Neil Ó Lochlainn (double bass), Alex Borwick (trombone) and Aidan Dunphy (drums). Orchestra founder Dave Flynn usually joins the ensemble for performances of his jazz-influenced songs and instrumentals which combine traditional Irish music, jazz and other styles in fascinating ways. Neil Yates’ idiosyncratic ‘Matt Molloy meets Miles Davis’ style also comes to the fore in his compositions, which feature prominently in the band's repertoire. The IMO Jazz band have performed at Galway Jazz Festival, the Burren Summer Festival, and within numerous core orchestra concerts, including the following set from our award-winning 2022 'Vision & Memory' project in Galway.
Duos/Solos:
Beyond our orchestral and chamber ensemble formations, we also offer numerous duet options among our collection of world-class musicians. Chief among these is ‘Shadowplay’ the flute and guitar duet of Aisling Agnew and Dave Flynn, who have performed together for 20 years. Dave Flynn’s acclaimed ‘Celtic Guitar Journey’ solo show can also be booked through the Irish Memory Orchestra.
Beyond our orchestral and chamber ensemble formations, we also offer numerous duet options among our collection of world-class musicians. Chief among these is ‘Shadowplay’ the flute and guitar duet of Aisling Agnew and Dave Flynn, who have performed together for 20 years. Dave Flynn’s acclaimed ‘Celtic Guitar Journey’ solo show can also be booked through the Irish Memory Orchestra.
Booking Information:
We can tailor a performance package to promoter's needs and we occasionally combine orchestra and chamber concerts within one offering. This can be especially attractive for festivals. Our musicians may also be available for workshops and masterclasses in tandem with our performances. Our exceptional traditional musicians can also participate in Irish music sessions at festivals we are invited to.
We also offer a double ensemble package with the renowned Ensemble Eriu, made possible because key members of Ensemble Eriu are also members of the Irish Memory Orchestra. We brought this package to the Sori International Traditional Music Festival in South Korea and the Burren Summer Festival.
Please contact us for further information and bookings.
We can tailor a performance package to promoter's needs and we occasionally combine orchestra and chamber concerts within one offering. This can be especially attractive for festivals. Our musicians may also be available for workshops and masterclasses in tandem with our performances. Our exceptional traditional musicians can also participate in Irish music sessions at festivals we are invited to.
We also offer a double ensemble package with the renowned Ensemble Eriu, made possible because key members of Ensemble Eriu are also members of the Irish Memory Orchestra. We brought this package to the Sori International Traditional Music Festival in South Korea and the Burren Summer Festival.
Please contact us for further information and bookings.
