Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra 20th anniversary gala concert for Offaly

THE Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra are excited to be celebrating 20 years with a gala concert at Esker Arts, Tullamore on 3rd May at 6pm with special guests Vltava String Quartet, soprano Erin Dollard, Mullingar Harp School directed by Jennifer Leahy and Tullamore Stage School Choir with Musical Director Regina McCarthy.

Conducted by Matt Rafter, the concert will feature a varied programme from classical gems to movie soundtrack favourites.

The Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra was founded by Vincent Hunt in 2006, after recognising the need for a high-quality youth orchestra in the region. The orchestra began as a collaborative project involving several smaller orchestras for a performance in Ireland’s National Concert Hall, with the first official IMYO course later that year. It is now a well-established and successful group of young musicians aged between 12-20, coming primarily from the midland counties of Ireland.

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The orchestra meets once a month for rehearsals with 2/3 performances a year. The orchestra has toured internationally to Germany, Dubai, Spain and most recently to The World Orchestra Festival in Vienna in July 2025. Highlights of that trip included a performance in the famous Musikverien Golden Hall, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets are already selling fast at eskerarts.ie – book early to avoid disappointment!

Auditions are held annually in August. Contact [email protected] or (087) 20151967 and visit our website www.imyo.ie for more information.

IMYO is supported by Offaly County Council, Westmeath County Council, Tullamore Credit Union and Music Capital Scheme.

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