Memory marriage of trad and classical

The Clare Memory Orchestra (pictured) broke onto the county’s music scene last September and since that time has generated plenty of interest from both masters of traditional music and the classically trained.

In what could be described as a marriage of the classical orchestral structure with traditional aural learning, The Clare Memory Orchestra founded by guitarist and composer Dave Flynn is now looking to expand further.

Co-founder and general manager of The Clare Memory Orchestra Eamon O’Donnell explained how the orchestra came about and how now is the right time to expand.
“The whole concept was created by Dave Flynn, a close friend of mine, who is from the Burren. He composed a fiddle concerto which was performed by Martin Hayes and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra at the National Concert Hall in 2010. It all emanated from there and that was the genesis of it. Dave decided to set up our own orchestra,” he said.

Following a successful outreach programme to interested musicians from both classical and traditional backgrounds and with support from the Clare Arts Office. the Clare Memory Orchestra premiered in Glór last year.
“We identified talents in Clare and the surrounding areas through an auditions process and we got them into the orchestra as apprentices, where they work with the masters and train in the style of the orchestra. We currently have 25 people fully committed to the orchestra,” Eamon said.

Fresh from performing in a series of lunchtime concerts in Glór the orchestra will perform as part of the Feakle Festival on August 9 and on Saturday, August 10 they will hold auditions for new members.
Eamon said the Clare Memory Orchestra is hoping to expand to include up to 50 performers who will all be trained in the ethos of the orchestra and in this new unique style of playing.

The hope is to create a product which becomes a major brand synonymous with County Clare. He said while it is accepted that Clare is the home of traditional music, this is something he believes can be driven home through the Clare Memory Orchestra.
“Dave is a wonderful composer and he is composing music for Irish traditional music which has a contemporary flavour to it but he is composing it for orchestra. There is a sound about this that is interesting. A number of musicians are classical and traditional musicians and they learn the music and the orchestra performs without sheet music. We have a brass sound in it; for interest we have a wonderful trumpet player coming over from Glasgow,” he said.

Interestingly Eamon said the orchestra opens up a new platform for the masters in the traditional music scene who would not otherwise get an opportunity to perform in this way.
“The likes of Martin Hayes see it as another step in their careers. Martin, for instance, hadn’t played with an orchestra before so this gives him another step up in his career as it were,” he said.
Auditions will be held in Glór in Ennis on August 10 from 10am and those interested in joining need to be of a reasonable musical standard.

Those interested are asked to fill out the apprenticeship scheme application form, which is available online at www.clarememoryorchestra.com/apprentice-scheme.html.