Donegal Chamber Orchestra (DCO)

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.

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.

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 (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 during the year.

Would you like to join?

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).

 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.
  2. Sight Reading The sight reading will be an orchestral excerpt.

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.

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