So you know what an orchestra is - but do you have any idea what they actually do?

Well here are 5 different types of events the RTÉ Concert Orchestra works on regularly... 

LIVE CONCERTS

First and foremost, the orchestra plays a lot of live concerts - over 80 a year - tackling a diverse range of classical and contemporary works, as well as film scores, performed in amazing Irish entertainment venues such as the National Concert Hall, The 3Arena and The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

For fans of classical music, the orchestra regularly works with major international guest conductors such as David Brophy, Stephen Bell, André de Ridder and Tiberiu Soare, to name a few. 

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If you prefer more contemporary music, the orchestra also performs at events like New Music Dublin, celebrating contemporary composers, and play film scores such as Independence Day, Jaws, Lord of the Rings and The Nightmare Before Christmas live to film, along with popular concerts celebrating film composers like John Williams and the late Elmer Bernstein. 

FESTIVALS

Yes, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra regularly perform at Ireland's top music festivals. 

They've performed dance music with 2fm DJ Jenny Greene, told The Story of Hip-Hop with DJ Mo K and stolen the show at Electric Picnic and All Together Now - their acclaimed Leonard Cohen tribute at the latter returns to the Bord Gais Energy Theatre by popular demand this March - more details here.

Performing at these festivals has allowed the orchestra to work with a number of different Irish acts, such Jafaris, Erica Cody and Gemma Sugrue - here's their memorable performance with Aslan at RTÉ's Culture Night celebrations in 2019:

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MUSIC FOR FILM & CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS

A lot of people may not know this but the orchestra also records original music for film scores and albums from a number of popular artists. 

They've recorded scores for Academy Award-nominated movies Room (2015) and Albert Nobbs (2011) as well as The Siege of Jadotville (2016) and Black ’47 (2018) - all were recorded in the RTÉ Radio Centre by the Concert Orchestra.

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One Direction star Niall Horan has even worked with the orchestra, releasing a live version of his debut album Flicker, recorded in the RTÉ Radio Centre in 2018. The RTÉ CO's popular Strings Attached sessions feature the orchestra collaborating with artists like Villagers and Wallis Bird:

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RADIO & TV

Chances are you've probably switched on the TV or radio to see or hear the orchestra featuring on an RTÉ show. 

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They've done countless appearances on The Late Late Show over the years, for example, accompanying artists such as Walking on Cars, Imelda May, John Grant, Ralph McTell and Glen Hansard.

Dancing With The Stars also utilizes the talents of the orchestra for a special episode every season - they’re set to grace our screens again on DWTS on Sunday, 23 February 2020.

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Another unique project was Music and the Mind on RTÉ Lyric FM - the series, presented by Liz Nolan explores relaxation and mindfulness while the Concert Orchestra plays specially curated pieces that match the theme of each show.

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SUPPORTING YOUNG ARTISTS

The orchestra also likes to do their part every year to support young, up and coming artists and musicians. 

They work in association with Feis Ceoil for their orchestral conducting competition.  The first-prize winner gets the opportunity to record a studio performance with the Concert Orchestra, and is presented with the Crimmins Conducting Bursary of €500. 

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The RTÉ Concert Orchestra works with IMRO (the Irish Music Rights Organisation) on a film scoring workshop for composers and filmmakers. Composers and filmmakers work together on a short film, the score of which is then performed and recorded by the Concert Orchestra.

Find out more about the RTÉ Concert Orchestra here.