Ulster Orchestra

On Friday trumpeter Matilda Lloyd returns to the Ulster Hall to perform 'LUCK', written for her by Robin Haigh, commissioned by us & Britten Pears Arts. Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake & 'Nutcracker' Suite, the latter arranged by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, also feature in the concert. buff.ly/6CYxfE6

We are seeking experienced and qualified music facilitators to be part of a new element of our flagship Crescendo Project, delivering beginner instrumental workshops for P7 pupils and musicianship workshops with classes of P3 pupils. Closing date: 12/12/2025.

Find out more + apply: buff.ly/SmfAUPw

📢 opportunity closing soon!

We have an opportunity closing this Sunday for a part-time, fixed-term Stage Coordinator role with us.

Apply: www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/vacancy/stag...

Earlier today we announced Anna Handler as our new Chief Conductor from September 2026.

Listen to Anna being interviewed today on In Tune on BBC Radio 3 from 5pm.

Listen: buff.ly/GOt89ZX

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Handler as Chief Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra from Sept 2026. An inspirational leader, Anna looks forward to this partnership & the Ulster Orchestra is excited for this new chapter in its story.

buff.ly/nA4ptFW

@dornmusic.bsky.social

30 seconds of Alena Baeva performing Dvořák's Violin Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Gabriel Bebeşelea, from last Friday night's concert at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

Get ready for Tchaikovsky with a twist, as we perform Duke Ellington's swinging version of The Nutcracker Suite on 5 December. We also have Robin Haigh's LUCK with soloist Matilda Lloyd + selections from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. 🦢 🎺

Book your tickets: buff.ly/OknWZaK

Last Thursday & Friday saw the return of violinist Alena Baeva to perform Dvořák's Violin Concerto. We welcomed conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea to lead us in the Diamond Hall, Coleraine and the Ulster Hall, Belfast as we performed'Elysium' by Samy Moussa, Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, and of course Dvořák.

Violinist Mafalda Galante explains how Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica' originally was dedicated to Napoleon
Join us, violinist soloist Alena Baeva & conductor Gabriel Bebeșelea this Friday in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, for a programme of Beethoven, Moussa and Dvořák.
Book now: buff.ly/y8Jril0

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3.👂
Hear the Ulster Orchestra, led by Gabriel Bebeșelea, perform the 'Eroica' Symphony in the Diamond Hall Coleraine this Thursday & the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Friday, as well as Dvořák's Violin Concerto with Alena Baeva, & 'Elysium ' by S. Moussa.

🎫 buff.ly/nEWTInn

Today was the last Schools Concert of the year but we went out in style at the Waterfront Hall Belfast. 1,925 attendees from 33 schools joined in with the Orchestra, conductor David Brophy + presenter Cath Arlidge in a musical journey to wellbeing.

Sponsored by ICC Belfast & Kingsbridge Foundation.

✨ Job Opportunity: we are recruiting for a Stage Coordinator (part-time, fixed-term) to join our busy operations team.

Closing date: 30 November 2025.

Find out more and apply: buff.ly/fc24IN7

We launched How We Stand How We Breathe, a collaboration with Dumbworld, at a screening on Thurs –now the full series is live on YouTube!

👉 buff.ly/YO6Z5R0

7 musical works co-created with micro-societies +individuals in N.Ireland.
7 stories of identity, belonging, equality, fear, joy+connection.

Big smiles at Friday's Newry Primary School's Concert from 560 attendees. We welcomed children from 13 schools to join us, presenter Catherine Arlidge & conductor David Brophy for our musical show all about the steps to wellbeing.

Our schools concerts are kindly sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation

Alena Baeva joins us this week to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in Coleraine on Thursday and Belfast on Friday. Here she is performing Bartók's Violin Concerto No.2 with us on her last visit in April 2024.

Book tickets:
Coleraine – buff.ly/y8Jril0
Belfast – buff.ly/laujPrZ

Our Schools Concerts reached Ballymena today, where 413 attendees learned to 'Take 5' with the 5 steps to wellbeing, demonstrated through music from the Orchestra, conductor David Brophy + presenter Cath Arlidge. Schools concerts are sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation.

You have two chances to see violinist Alena Baeva perform with the Ulster Orchestra + conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea next week:

1️⃣ Diamond Hall, Coleraine on Thu 20 Nov
2️⃣ Ulster Hall, Belfast on Fri 21 Nov.

Book your tickets:
Coleraine – buff.ly/y8Jril0
Belfast – buff.ly/laujPrZ

Our 2nd day of Schools Concerts took us to Derry~Londonderry where 897 attendees from 17 schools + home learning joined presenter Cath Arlidge, conductor David Brophy + Orchestra to learn about the 5 steps to wellbeing through music.

Our schools concerts are sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation.

Masc presenting Conductor wearing colourful shirt conducts orchestra musicians on stage, who are all sitting in chairs playing instruments and wearing colourful shirts.

Primary school ages children and their teachers watch on seated wearing colourful clothing in a tiered auditorium,

Primary school children watch from audience as orchestra sits on stage performing in colourful clothing while a video of a ballet plays in the background.

This week, the Ulster Orchestra along with presenter Cath Arlidge and conductor David Brophy are touring around five different venues to bring a show packed with music and good vibes to primary school children across Northern Ireland. Our first stop was Omagh, and what a way to kick off our tour!

✨ Job opportunity: We are recruiting for a Section Leader Oboe to join our dynamic and vibrant orchestra.

Closing date: 10/12/25.

Find out more and apply: www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/vacancy/sect...

Femme presenting individual wearing long shiny cerise strappy formal dress performs seated at a grand piano. Other orchestral musicians in formal clothing are seated performing around her.

Image taken from balcony showing profile view of orchestra performing on stage on various risen platforms while audience watches on from balcony.

Femme presenting individual wearing long shiny cerise strappy formal dress performs seated at a grand piano. Other orchestral musicians in formal clothing are seated performing around her. All are on a huge stage.

Femme presenting and masc presenting person both in formal clothing join hands held high stand in the middle of a group of musicians all in formal clothing. There is a grand piano to the right of the image only half in view.

On Friday, pianist Alexandra Dariescu joined the Orchestra in the Ulster Hall to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto with conductor Olari Elts. There was also Gabriela Ortiz's 'Clara', inspired by the relationship between Clara and Robert Schumann, and pieces by Schubert and Mendelssohn.

We are delighted to be nominated for this year's Aisling Awards in the TG4 Culture and Arts category, among such great talent – Belfast Tradfest, Brassneck Theatre and Kabosh Theatre. See you there on the 28th!

buff.ly/MKjsSqN

30 seconds of pianist Alexandra Dariescu performing Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra, from tonight's concert at the Ulster Hall, conducted by Olari Elts, which was part of the Belfast International Arts Festival and Sound of Belfast Festival.

We're very happy to be included in Discover Northern Ireland's first ever ASMR track, "Giant Awakening", showcasing the soundscapes of some of our most iconic locations.

Find out more and watch the full version of the track at discovernorthernireland.com/giantawakening

Tomorrow evening, pianist Alexandra Dariescu joins the Orchestra to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto, a piece that Alexandra describes as "a true testimony of Clara's dazzling technique as a pianist, elegance and imagination as a composer."

Book your tickets: buff.ly/vV4RlZW

On Friday night we perform Gabriela Ortiz's 'Clara' – a tribute to Clara Schumann which takes the form of five imagined interactions between Clara, her husband Robert, and Gabriela herself – as part of a concert inspired by Clara Schumann.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/08sU8XX

On Friday evening, we will play Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 'Italian'. Bassoonist Kristina Hedley remembers the moment she recognised Mendelssohn's voice as a composer, praising the way the composer writes for the woodwind section.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/M2vFLHN

The Ulster Orchestra is happy to welcome Christopher Bryson as our new Head of Finance and Business Management.

We look forward to working alongside Christopher, and wish him every success in his new role here with us.

In a world where women were expected to sit quietly at home, Clara Schumann forged a long career as a pianist, composer and more. Pianist Alexandra Dariescu explains.

Alexandra joins us this Friday to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto.Book your tickets: buff.ly/3mS1BU7

Clara Schumann carries special significance to our horn player Jesse Durkan. Her Piano Concerto (which we perform with Alexandra Dariescu on 7 Nov) was the first piece he ever played with the Orchestra, and he and his wife even named their daughter after her.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/M2vFLHN