Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra Woodwind Programme Call Out

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We are delighted to announce details of the Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra Woodwind Programme for 2023/2024, we are seeking oboe and bassoon players to learn Baroque oboe & bassoon, with a further opportunity to potentially join future editions of the award-winning Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra.

Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday, 10 November 2023.

Successful applicants will be provided with the loan of a quality reproduction historical instrument, and receive one to one tuition from professional musicians specialising in historically informed performance. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore Baroque repertoire under leading woodwind players and the IYBO’s Director Claire Duff.

In 2024 we are offering two places for oboe and one place for a bassoon players who are:

  • Of grade 8 standard and above;
  • Aged from 18 – 24 (although slightly older and younger players will be considered too).

Oboe:

Oboe players will have online lessons with the Irish Baroque Orchestra’s principal oboe Andreas Helm, professor for period oboe at the Kunstuniversität Graz and at the Konservatorium Wien Privatuniversität. Andreas is also the Artistic Director of the Aestas Musica Summer School of Baroque Music in Varaždin, Croatia and teaches at the Trigonale Coaching in Ossiach, Carinthia.

Bassoon:

Online lessons will be delivered by Will Gough with in-person lessons taking place where possible. Will studied bassoon and historical performance in Den Haag, Netherlands. He performs with groups such as the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The Hanover Band, Irish Baroque Orchestra, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, and Holland Baroque.

If you would be excited to participate in this opportunity, and learn Baroque oboe or bassoon, please send an email to info@iayo.ie outlining your:

  • Name;
  • Address;
  • Date of birth;
  • A summary of musical experience;
  • Two paragraphs on your motivation to take part;
  • Availability to take part in the Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra in 2024 (Monday, 15 July 2024 – Saturday, 20 July 2024, see below for more details).

Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday, 10 November 2023.

Proposal:
You will be provided with:

  • The loan of a quality reproduction instrument by either Wolfgang Kube, Marcel Ponsele (oboes) or Pau Orriols (bassoon);
  • 5 baroque reeds;
  • 12 X 1-hour lessons (or equivalent time in longer lessons if appropriate) with Andreas Helm and the bassoon tutor. These lessons will ideally be split with three before Christmas and nine from January 2024 – July 2024.
    • Oboe lessons will preferably be taken in pairs so you can play duets;
    • Bassoon lessons will be taken individually;
    • Mostly online;
    • One or two lessons in person as the Irish Baroque Orchestra schedule allows.
  • Participants make a contribution of €300 for the lessons. This also covers the cost of your instrument hire and reeds.

Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra:

The Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra will take place from Monday, 15 July 2024 – Saturday, 20 July 2024. The proposed programme is Handel’s Water Music.

All musicians will be asked to apply (with video audition) for this course (your place unfortunately cannot be guaranteed). Due to increased interest in baroque woodwind, the hope is that either two or four oboists will be accepted, and either one or two bassoonists will be chosen for the course. Movements will be split between musicians.

Please note that there may be other musicians not involved in the IYBO Woodwind Programme who apply and audition.

Participation costs for IYBO are likely to be €250. We would be grateful if you could indicate in your application if you would be free to take part in IYBO.

If your application for the Irish Youth Baroque Orchestra is not successful this year, we will endeavour to source other performance and masterclass opportunities for you.

Closing date for expressions of interest is Friday, 10 November 2023.

The oboes and bassoon were purchased using funding received from the Music Capital Scheme, which is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and managed by Music Network.

To express your interest or for further information, please contact Jack at info@iayo.ie.

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