Donegal Chamber Orchestra – promoting excellence in string playing. And seeking new members!

DONEGAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

 

Artistic Director: Víctor Yélamo

Leader/Director: Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo

The reputation of the Donegal Chamber Orchestra continues to grow, both through their continuing programme of concerts at Conwal Church in Letterkenny and their special appearances elsewhere in Donegal and beyond. Their most recent success was a sold-out concert in Donegal Castle, which managed to mark both the Donegal Town 550th anniversary and the DCO’s 18th.

The DCO are fortunate to have as conductor Victor Yélamo and as leader Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo. Both are highly accomplished musicians and tutors with the Donegal Music Education Partnership. Victor is a cellist and Orsolya a violinist. They also perform regularly with a renowned ensemble from Victor’s home city, Concerto Málaga, and featured on the album ‘Serebrier Conducts Granados’ which was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2018.

It’s back to weekly rehearsals for the DCO at the Regional Cultural Centre on Saturday 7th September 2024 1pm – 4pm. Here are concerts coming up for them –

Friday 20th September 7pm (Culture Night)

Conwal Parish Church, Letterkenny

Sunday 20th October, 3pm

Closing concert of the 9th Donegal Chamber Music Festival

Conwal Parish Church, Letterkenny

Sunday 15th December, 5pm

DMEP Christmas Concert

An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra, with conductor Victor Yélamo (on left), pictured outside the marvellous Mussenden Temple on the County Derry coast – a regular performance spot for them and a regular sell-out. 

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra (DCO) is one of the ensemble groups within the Donegal Music Education Partnership.  It features classical string players from across county Donegal and beyond, and is dedicated to helping students and amateur musicians achieve the highest level of excellence in performance. The Donegal Chamber Orchestra gives regular performances throughout the county and beyond during the year.

A DCO line-up from several years back pictured on stage at An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny.

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra seeks new members for 2024-25.

Auditions are open to string players who are prepared to commit to the Donegal Chamber Orchestra’s rehearsal and concert schedule.

If you’re interested, email musiceducation@donegaletb.ie  There are opportunities for –

  • Violins (Grade 5 RIAM or equivalent and above)
  • Violas  (Grade 5 RIAM or equivalent and above)
  • Cellos (Grade 5 RIAM or equivalent and above)
  • Double bass (Grade 3 RIAM or equivalent and above)

Age: 13 yrs. & over (adults welcome).

Victor Yélamo conducts the Donegal Chamber Orchestra at Conwal Church in Letterkenny. Photo by John Soffe (www.johnsoffe.com)

 WHAT WOULD I NEED TO PLAY FOR AN AUDITION FOR THE DCO?

 

  1. Scales:
  • Violin:  Auditionees at Grade 5 should play a 2-octave scale in C major in the 2nd position and a 2-octave scale in D major in the 3rd position. Auditionees at Grade 6 and above should play a 2-octave scale in D major in the 3rd position and a 3-octave scale in G major.
  • Viola and Cello auditionees should play a 3-octave scale in C major and an in G major
  • Double Bass auditionees should play a 1-octave scale in A flat and D major

 

  1. Perform a short solo work (any study or piece) or an excerpt from a solo work for your instrument which shows your skills, approximately 2 minutes long. Solos do not have to be memorized. Accompaniment is not expected; the judges want to hear only the auditioned alone.
  1. Sight Reading The sight reading will be an orchestral excerpt.

 SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE WORK OF THE DONEGAL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

 

  • The members of the Donegal Chamber Orchestra are expected to attend each rehearsal. Members who are not attending rehearsals may lose their membership.
  • The membership requires a serious commitment to the Donegal Chamber Orchestra and to the rehearsals.
  • For each concert a selection of players will be chosen upon their work at the rehearsals.

WHAT ARE THE MEMBERSHIP FEES?

There is an annual fee of €100

 

Further information about the Donegal Chamber Orchestra

At the Donegal Chamber Orchestra (DCO) we…

  • Focus on the more intimate and deeply rewarding repertoire of the Chamber Orchestra and Chamber Music.
  • Encourage orchestra member participation as soloists.
  • Help students to achieve the highest level of excellence in performance, not only as team players but also as individual performers.
  • Strive to expose the students to the building blocks of professional musicianship through chamber music literature, as well as to open their minds to the study and practice of contemporary music and alternative styles.
  • Offer the students the opportunity to experience a “conductor-less” orchestra or a principal player acting as a conductor, by performing in this format in some of our concerts.
A little more to finish!

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra gives regular performances throughout the county during the year and beyond.

Since its establishment the orchestra has worked with guest artists such as Darragh Morgan, Irish-Romanian cellist Mihai Dancila, the Spanish string orchestra Concerto Malaga and composer Ian Wilson.

The Donegal Chamber Orchestra is directed by Víctor Yélamo and led by Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo and we rehearse regularly in Letterkenny.

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