The Ulster Orchestra and Ulster Youth Orchestra are delighted to announce the very first cohort of young musicians have been chosen for their brand new Professional Experience Scheme, an partnership initiative designed to support young musicians as they explore a career in orchestral music-making. Seven musicians have been accepted onto the scheme.

Music students normally resident in Northern Ireland were invited to audition for the scheme and the successful students will benefit from a programme of coaching and mentoring from Ulster Orchestra members across the 2017/18 Season. Three times during the academic year, they will come to Belfast to join the Orchestra in rehearsals and where appropriate, be invited to play in concerts. Students will receive support and feedback from Ulster Orchestra members, develop skills in auditioning, orchestral section playing and observe and participate in one of the Ulster Orchestra’s Learning and Community Engagement projects.  

The seven successful applicants are either members or former members of the Ulster Youth Orchestra and the scheme is designed to encourage young musicians in a career in performance, while also giving homegrown talent the opportunity to develop links and perform with Northern Ireland’s only professional symphony orchestra. The first cohort on the Professional Experience Scheme are:

Conall Gormley (21): Studying tuba at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester

Ryan Gray (21): Studying bass trombone at the Royal College of Music in London

William Curran (23): Studying clarinet at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester

Iryna Glyebova (21): Studying violin at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London

Sarah White (21): Studying violin at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow

Cathryn Lynch (17): Studying percussion, studying at Sullivan Upper School

Eva Richards (21): Studying cello at Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester