Dave Flynn’s Irish Memory Orchestra is inviting applications from musicians aged 10 – 24 that are either full-sighted, blind and visually-impaired to participate in the 2021/22 IMO Youth Orchestra & Choir programme: ‘Vision and Memory’.
This new cross-genre orchestra is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland’s Young Ensemble Scheme and will meet in Galway City from 12th-16th April 2022. Musicians performing at an intermediate to advanced level should submit a video audition online by Friday 24 September. Following an audition process, a large number of young full-sighted, blind and visually-impaired instrumentalists and singers will be selected to rehearse and perform alongside core members of the Irish Memory Orchestra and professional blind and visually-impaired musicians.
All members will work towards a performance of Dave Flynn’s The Vision Symphony, in Galway on Easter Saturday, 16th April 2022. The performance will be conducted by Bjorn Bantock and will also include the world premiere of a new collaborative work composed by young blind/visually-impaired composers.
All of the musicians involved in the programme will perform from memory. Without the need for sheet music, the notion of disability is said to recede and enables each member of the orchestra to contribute equally. The most outstanding applicants will be selected as Youth Orchestra section leaders, and will work alongside professional members of the Irish Memory Orchestra to mentor their section.
