Walking through the University of Limerick campus, I was struck by the building with the bold letters: Irish Chamber Orchestra. The ICO is celebrating 30 years this season—a historic milestone for all those who consider it home. As someone who plays the bass (though nowhere near the professional level of these virtuosos), I was thrilled to step into their realm and find myself among professionals who live and breathe chamber music, which was both humbling and inspiring.
I received a guided tour that introduced me to the orchestra’s daily operations and outreach programmes, followed by a sneak peek of their upcoming set during a rehearsal. They also told me about their work with local schools. Which is sort of how I first found my passion for classical music back in the US. The ICO is not solely focused on the elite concerts it puts on; it is genuinely committed to community building and education.
A few days later, on a characteristically dark and damp Irish night, I attended the ICO’s concert at the University Concert Hall. Thanks to some VIP treatment, I gained access to the unused upper balcony, which gave me a perfect vantage point to photograph the entire performance without disturbing the audience. The inclusion of the ICO Youth Orchestra, sharing the stage with the professionals for the first time, showed their dedication to nurturing young talent, creating a beautiful arc from emerging musicians to seasoned pros.
Artistic Director Ronan Tighe explained the programme’s intent further. He described it as a demonstration of the orchestra’s dynamism, featuring major Scandinavian works, some by Grieg, tailored to highlight its new Artistic Partner, Henning Kraggerud. “We wanted to showcase our phenomenal new Artistic Partner… and give our audiences as brilliant an evening at the concert hall as we could,” Ronan shared.
To deepen my understanding, I posed a series of questions to the ICO’s musicians and staff. For violinist Diane Daly, the week’s rehearsals were a thrilling mix of the familiar and unfamiliar. “Rehearsing with Henning is a pure joy,” she said, “I felt safe in his hands… The Grieg was a particular highlight as I had not played this before and I quickly discovered how wonderful this work is.”
Joachim Roewer, a violist who joined in 1995, reflected on the anniversary’s personal significance: “When I moved to Ireland… I was searching for a musical home that would be new and vibrant… Over the last 30 years, the musicians have generated an energy and dedication to music and audiences in Ireland and beyond that was the stuff of dreams.”
Advice for aspiring musicians came from violinist Andre Swanepoel: “Keep working consistently at refining your musical skills—especially work on areas which wouldn’t be your strongest… Getting comfortable in a variety of styles will be very helpful, and being a team player will always count in your favour.”
The musicians also shared what first drew them to classical and chamber music. Violist Robin Panter recalled a childhood filled with orchestral favorites: “I grew to know and love these pieces so much and still can lose myself in the magical worlds from those novels when I hear the pieces today.” Pre-concert rituals varied; violinist Nicky Sweeney swears by yoga and breathing exercises to achieve calm. At the same time, bassist Malachy Robinson prioritizes laughter backstage, “In the dressing rooms before the performance, we always just chat and joke around. You need to be relaxed so that when you go on you’re not carrying any tension.”
Ronan Tighe elaborated on the ICO’s unique sound: “We have a sound that has evolved over 30 years of working together… The players are so finely attuned to each other’s phrasing and musical instincts.” Adapting to different venues, such as shifting from a rehearsal space to a concert hall, requires flexibility in bowing, dynamics, and articulation. “We try to produce a colour to suit the specific repertoire,” he noted.
If you’re a student interested in music, take Andre’s advice: hone your skills, embrace variety, and remember the power of teamwork. Here’s to another 30 years of enchanting audiences and nurturing talent. If you’re at UL, keep an eye out for future events.
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