Emer McDonough

Born in Dublin in 1975, Emer McDonough, who studied flute with Doris Keogh at The Royal Irish Academy of Music and with Peter Lloyd at the Royal Northern College of Music in Britain, is now one of Ireland's most sought-after musicians, as soloist or as Principal Flute with some of the world's finest orchestras.

Awarded the title "Rising Star" by the National Concert Hall, Emer performed a full recital at the venue to a standing ovation, demonstrating "that kind of intense sweetness of tone which is such a James Galway hallmark" (Irish Times). Her concerto debut with the National Symphony Orchestra at the NCH was also well received, "the audience clearly taking her to their hearts, calling her back to the platform again and again and again" (Irish Times).

Emer is now based in London and is Principal Flute of the Orchestra of St Johns Smith Square.  Before that she was Principal Flute of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (2001 to 2004 under Marin Alsop) and of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (1999 to 2001 under David Atherton).

Emer performed the British Premiere of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in the debut concert of Principal Conductor Marin Alsop.  She has also performed concertos with The Hong Kong Philharmonic, The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra, and given recitals at St Martin in the Fields, London, Bridgewater Hall Manchester, St James' Piccadilly London, Music in Great Irish Houses, and the Kilkenny, Killaloe and Wexford Arts Festivals

She regularly performs, records and tours as Guest Principal Flute with many of the finest orchestras including The London Symphony Orchestra, The Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, The London Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Emer is a visiting professor at the DIT in Dublin and has given masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), The Royal Academy of Music (London), The Royal College of Music (London), The College of Music (Dublin), and the Oxford Flute School.