Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin

The Dublin International Symphonic Festival, to be held between July 11 and 24, 2004, invites orchestral players from colleges, conservatories and orchestral organizations throughout the world to participate in two symphonic concerts in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland.

Alongside several major symphonic works and concerti, the Festival will culminate in a performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony. Rehearsals will be housed in the Royal Irish Academy of Music and will be joined by noted Irish musicians.

Dr George Skipworth, Orchestra Conductor at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon (and for the last four years conductor of the Sinfonia Dell'Arte of Florence, Italy and Director of the International Orchestra Institute there), tells us that the orchestral musicians will typically be "undergrad, grad, community, semi-pro" players of high standard. For the Mahler he will require a large, advanced brass section, with some virtuosic trumpets, and hopes that ITG members will take note. Audition will be by audio recording and letters of recommendation will also be required: the dealine will be mid-May. ITG members may be further interested to note that it is hoped to add a major European city each summer in addition to the regular festival in Florence, with Vienna already lined up for 2005.

During the Irish festival, Skipworth adds, ample time will be set aside to experience the culture of this enchanting country. Tuition for festival participants is US$475.00 (about €400 or UK £280).  Interested players are urged to contact Dr. George Skipworth of Lewis and Clark College for application procedures and logistical information. Telephone [+1] (503) 892-5004; email dovealinferno@yahoo.com; or write to Dr Skipworth at: Department of Music, Lewis and Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd., Portland, OR 97219, USA.

Websites:
Music at Lewis and Clark College
Christ Church Cathedral (The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity), Dublin