University College Dublin Symphony Orchestra is an Irish

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

 orchestra

Orchestra

An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...

 based in University College Dublin

University College Dublin

University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...

.

It plays annually in the National Concert Hall

National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall is a concert hall located on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, Ireland, close to St. Stephen's Green, and is the principal national venue for classical music concerts in Ireland....

 in Dublin.

History

Established in 2002, the UCDSO is the university's leading music ensemble with around 70-80 student members. It is now a recognised programme module and elective under the UCD Horizons scheme, allowing students to reap academic as well as artistic and social rewards. The orchestra made its off-campus debut in February 2005 at the National Concert Hall

National Concert Hall

The National Concert Hall is a concert hall located on Earlsfort Terrace in Dublin, Ireland, close to St. Stephen's Green, and is the principal national venue for classical music concerts in Ireland....

 in Dublin, where it now performs annually. Soloists playing with the orchestra have included the violinists Cora Venus Lunny

Cora Venus Lunny

Cora Venus Lunny is an Irish violinist. Her father is the musician Dónal Lunny and she is the niece of Manus Lunny.Established as one of Ireland's leading classical musicians since her teens, Cora Venus Lunny is active as a soloist, chamber musician, interpreter of contemporary classical ...

, Gillian Williams and Leonie Curtin, the harpist Teresa O'Donnell, pianists Philip Martin

Philip Martin

Philip Martin may refer to:* Philip Martin , Canadian professional basketball player currently with Juvecaserta Basket* Philip Martin , television and film director...

 and Mary McCague, guitarist Redmond O'Toole

Redmond O'Toole

Redmond O'Toole is an Irish classical guitarist. He is amongst a handful of musicians performing on a Brahms guitar. His former teachers include Oscar Ghiglia, Paul Galbraith, Graham Devine and John Feeley...

and mezzo-soprano Norah King. The orchestra is conducted by Ciaran Crilly and sectional rehearsals are taken by experienced professional tutors.