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IRISH CONDUCTORS NETWORK
Conductor Development Opportunities:
Bringing Irish Storytelling & Creative Leadership to the Podium
Moving Forward..!
We launched on 22nd June, and in August 2026 we formed H C F The Irish Conductors Network, Company Limited by Guarantee.
And we are delighted to announce that The Irish Conductors Network will be funded by Arts Council of Ireland for our 2027 activities!
The Irish Conductors Network is dedicated to developing Irish artistic leaders, powering Ireland’s creative future.
We provide training and development opportunities to conductors based in and from Ireland & Northern Ireland. We already have some exciting national and international partners and mentors on board.
If you are an Irish or Ireland & Northern Ireland based conductor (choral, orchestral, wind & brass band) or composer we would love to hear from you.
Join our newsletter list using the form below.
Memberships for Irish conductors and composers will be launching in November, but our Newsletter will always be free and open to all – conductors, composers and musicians from all over the world.
If you are a conductor, composer or musician, from anywhere in the world with an interest in conducting & ensemble/orchestral music, why not join our newsletter list using the Discovery Form below!
Conducting Workshop:
31st October, Dublin
Join Irish Conductors Network directors Sinéad Hayes & Ciarán Crilly for a conducting workshop with piano on Saturday 31st October 10am - 5pm in UCD, Dublin.
Repertoire: Beethoven: Egmont Overture,
Mozart: Don Giovanni Overture,
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 First Movement
Bartok Concerto for Orchestra IV. Intermezzo Interrotto
Each participant will have 2 x 20minute sessions with piano
Cost: Participant €100
Passive Participants/Observers: €25
Applications will be processed on a rolling basis with participants confirmed ASAP after their application has been received.
Final application deadline: Friday 23rd October
Discovery Form
If you are a conductor, composer or musician, with an interest in conducting & ensemble/orchestral music, why not join our newsletter list using the Discovery Form below! Open to all - Irish and international!
Conducting Workshop
The conducting workshop on 29th July was a joyous exploration of music by Brahms, Elgar, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.
10 participant conductors, 6 observers, 3 pianists... in the beautiful Ad Astra studio in UCD. Thanks to UCD for their support, and to all who joined us to make this such a special day. Below are some photos, to give you a taste of the day.
More workshops are planned...
Rehearsal Observation
One of the best ways to develop skills as a conductor and musician is to observe other conductors in rehearsal! This is what the Irish Conductors Network is all about, sharing expertise and developing together. Since launching we have had the opportunity to observe rehearsals with conductor Ronan O' Reilly and the Irish Youth Wind Ensemble, and conductor Peter Joyce with the Esker Festival Orchestra. Conductors from all over Ireland joined, and we were delighted that Ronan and Peter shared their expertise so generously with the visiting conductors.
More Rehearsal Observation opportunities are planned. Below is a selection of photos from the sessions so far...
Sign up to our newsletter list to hear about upcoming rehearsal observations.
Suggestion Box
Tell us your ideas and share your suggestions for the Irish Conductors Network
Newsletter ideas, projects, social media posts...GO!!
Team
Meet the Team leading the new Irish Conductors Network
Artistic Director:
Sinéad Hayes
Freelance Irish Conductor who works with orchestras and opera companies across the UK and Ireland
Deputy Artistic Director:
Ciarán Crilly
Associate Professor of Orchestral Conducting and Director of Performance in the UCD School of Music
Founder Member:
Lynsey Callaghan
Irish choral and orchestral conductor.
Principal conductor UK National Youth Choir (9 - 15)
Founder Dublin Youth Choir
Founder Member:
Patrick Rafter
Irish violinist & conductor who has performed as soloist with orchestras across the world.
Our Supporters
Contact Us
If you are a conductor (choral, orchestral, wind, brass, school), composer or musician we would love to hear from you.
We will launch our membership in October, with full membership of the network open to Irish/Northern Irish conductors & composers and those based in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
If you are not Irish, but are interested in conducting, why not join our newsletter list to hear about opportunities and our activities. Get in touch via the Discovery Form.