Announcing the 2014 Clare Memory Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme - a unique opportunity for musicians of ALL ages to perform with

MARTIN HAYES, DAVE FLYNN & THE CLARE MEMORY ORCHESTRA

IN THE 2ND PERFORMANCE OF DAVE FLYNN’S ACCLAIMED ‘CLARE CONCERTO’ IN
ST. FLANNAN’S CATHEDRAL, KILLALOE, CO. CLARE ON 18TH OCTOBER 2014

Auditions open ONLY to players of the following instruments

Violin/Fiddle, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Uilleann Pipes, Flute, Tin
Whistle, Oboe, Concertina, Harp, Guitar, Percussion/Bodhrán (including Mallet Percussion), Trumpet, Trombone, Horn, Saxophone

Musicians must have an advanced understanding of traditional Irish
music and ideally a high level of ability in classical music. Brass
players with a high level in jazz and some understanding of
traditional and classical music may be suited also.

DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO BE PART OF THIS LANDMARK EVENT!

To apply please complete the application form by 1st August 2014

http://www.clarememoryorchestra.com/apprentice-scheme.html

(Those who submit applications early will have a distinct advantage
over later applicants as they will receive the audition music as soon
as their application is processed, audition music will consist of
excerpts from the Clare Concerto)

For more info please read our FAQ here

http://www.clarememoryorchestra.com/faq.html

Successful candidates will join Dave Flynn & The Clare Memory
Orchestra & Artist in Association Martin Hayes in a concert featuring
the 2nd full performance of ‘The Clare Concerto’, a work composed by
Dave Flynn in 2013 dedicated to the music and landscape of County
Clare.

The premiere performance of the Clare Concerto in Glór, Ennis in
November 2013 was widely acclaimed.

Paul O’Connor of tradreview.com noted the work’s ‘amazing power and
authenticity’ whilst describing it thus

‘Picture a game of polo. Now picture hurling. Picture an orchestra
playing a concerto. Now picture the Clare Memory Orchestra playing The Clare Concerto’

Susan Monagan, from the Faculty of Ithaca College, New York wrote an
extended academic essay on the work following the premiere.

‘The Clare Concerto is moving, witty and inventive. It is an aural
guide through the most famous of Clare’s landscapes and some of the
most beloved of the county’s traditional composers and players.
Importantly, it privileges the ears and eyes of the people of Clare
themselves; ultimately it is a tribute to them and their cultural
legacy. The Clare Concerto pushes typical orchestral instrumentation
to the edge, adding electric guitars, uilleann pipes, concertinas,
etc., and, spectacularly, Bronze-Age Irish horns.’

For this 2nd Performance of The Clare Concerto many of the musicians who performed as apprentices in the world premiere are returning, including such renowned and award-winning musicians as Brid Harper and Tara Connaghan who have moved from being Apprentices to Deputy members of the CMO. These former apprentices to the CMO and the successful new
applicants to this 2nd Apprenticeship Scheme will join the current section leaders of the Clare Memory Orchestra;

Aoife Ní Bhriain (Violins/Orchestra Leader), Liz Coleman (Fiddle
Section Leader), Mick O’Brien (Uilleann Pipe Section Leader), Eimear
McGeown (Flute Section Co-Leader), Aisling Agnew (Flute Section
Co-Leader), Niamh Varian-Barry (Viola Section Leader), Cormac Ó Briain
(Cello Section Leader), Jack Talty (Concertina Section Leader), Neil
Yates (Brass Section Leader), Billy Mag Fhloinn (Bronze Age Horn
Section Leader), Aidan Dunphy (Percussion Section Leader), Dave Flynn
(Guitar Section Leader), Anne-Marie O’Farrell (Harp Section Leader),
Neil O’Loghlen (Double Bass Section Leader), Etain McCooey (Oboe
Section Leader) & Conductor Bjorn Bantock.

Other core CMO members performing and mentoring apprentices are Adrian Hart (Deputy Violin Section Leader), Ciara Ní Bhriain (Viola Deputy Section Leader/Youth Strings Mentor), Matthew Berrill (Saxophone Mentor) and Alex Borwick (Trombone Mentor).

Martin Hayes will once again assume the traditional ‘Orchestra Leader’
position at the front of the fiddle section.

This scheme is an apprenticeship which can lead to regular paid work
with the Clare Memory Orchestra as happened several of last year’s
apprentices, most notably Alex Borwick who impressed so much as an
apprentice last year that he was appointed as Principal Trombonist of
the Clare Memory Orchestra shortly after.

The 2014 Clare Memory Orchestra Apprenticeship Scheme is supported by Clare Arts Office & AnnaCarriga Estate.

‘The Clare Concerto’ was commissioned by the Arts Office of Clare
County Council under the Per Cent for Art Scheme in 2013.

For further queries please ONLY email cmoapprentices [at] gmail.com