Thank you to everyone who's listened to us on Spotify this year 🎧 🎶 We're delighted that our music reaches so many people around the world. We have a catalogue of music spanning many years, including some great recent releases, so why not take a moment to have a listen? #spotifywrapped

Our Endangered Instruments Showcase 2025. With support from the ACNI's Rural Engagement Arts Programme, alongside the EA Music Service, this project seeks to increase access to music among children & young people in rural areas by offering them the chance to learn lesser-known musical instruments.

Join us tomorrow for a pre-concert talk with trumpet soloist Matilda Lloyd and composer @robinhaigh.bsky.social. Robin wrote his 'LUCK' Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra specifically for Matilda, who performs the piece during the concert. Book your tickets: buff.ly/GuUgAiw

📣 Participants wanted for Come and Play 2026 We are currently still taking applications from grade 3-6 viola, oboe and bassoon players, and grade 6-8 violin, viola, double bass, oboe, bassoon and trombone players. The entry fee is £25. Applications close 14 December. Register: buff.ly/SSsUmXN

It's Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, but not as you know it – this is the story of how Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn turned a 19th century Russian ballet into an American jazz standard. You can hear Ellington's 'Nutcracker Suite' at Friday night's concert. 🎟 Book your tickets: buff.ly/GuUgAiw

This job opportunity closes next week ⬇️

On Friday trumpeter Matilda Lloyd returns to the Ulster Hall to perform 'LUCK', written for her by Robin Haigh, commissioned by us & Britten Pears Arts. Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake & 'Nutcracker' Suite, the latter arranged by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, also feature in the concert. buff.ly/6CYxfE6

We are seeking experienced and qualified music facilitators to be part of a new element of our flagship Crescendo Project, delivering beginner instrumental workshops for P7 pupils and musicianship workshops with classes of P3 pupils. Closing date: 12/12/2025. Find out more + apply: buff.ly/SmfAUPw

📢 opportunity closing soon! We have an opportunity closing this Sunday for a part-time, fixed-term Stage Coordinator role with us. Apply: www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/vacancy/stag...

Earlier today we announced Anna Handler as our new Chief Conductor from September 2026. Listen to Anna being interviewed today on In Tune on BBC Radio 3 from 5pm. Listen: buff.ly/GOt89ZX

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Handler as Chief Conductor of the Ulster Orchestra from Sept 2026. An inspirational leader, Anna looks forward to this partnership & the Ulster Orchestra is excited for this new chapter in its story. buff.ly/nA4ptFW @dornmusic.bsky.social

30 seconds of Alena Baeva performing Dvořák's Violin Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra, conducted by Gabriel Bebeşelea, from last Friday night's concert at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.

Get ready for Tchaikovsky with a twist, as we perform Duke Ellington's swinging version of The Nutcracker Suite on 5 December. We also have Robin Haigh's LUCK with soloist Matilda Lloyd + selections from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. 🦢 🎺 Book your tickets: buff.ly/OknWZaK

Last Thursday & Friday saw the return of violinist Alena Baeva to perform Dvořák's Violin Concerto. We welcomed conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea to lead us in the Diamond Hall, Coleraine and the Ulster Hall, Belfast as we performed'Elysium' by Samy Moussa, Beethoven's 3rd Symphony, and of course Dvořák.

Violinist Mafalda Galante explains how Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, 'Eroica' originally was dedicated to Napoleon Join us, violinist soloist Alena Baeva & conductor Gabriel Bebeșelea this Friday in the Ulster Hall, Belfast, for a programme of Beethoven, Moussa and Dvořák. Book now: buff.ly/y8Jril0

Beethoven's Symphony No. 3.👂 Hear the Ulster Orchestra, led by Gabriel Bebeșelea, perform the 'Eroica' Symphony in the Diamond Hall Coleraine this Thursday & the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Friday, as well as Dvořák's Violin Concerto with Alena Baeva, & 'Elysium ' by S. Moussa. 🎫 buff.ly/nEWTInn

Today was the last Schools Concert of the year but we went out in style at the Waterfront Hall Belfast. 1,925 attendees from 33 schools joined in with the Orchestra, conductor David Brophy + presenter Cath Arlidge in a musical journey to wellbeing. Sponsored by ICC Belfast & Kingsbridge Foundation.

✨ Job Opportunity: we are recruiting for a Stage Coordinator (part-time, fixed-term) to join our busy operations team. Closing date: 30 November 2025. Find out more and apply: buff.ly/fc24IN7

We launched How We Stand How We Breathe, a collaboration with Dumbworld, at a screening on Thurs –now the full series is live on YouTube! 👉 buff.ly/YO6Z5R0 7 musical works co-created with micro-societies +individuals in N.Ireland. 7 stories of identity, belonging, equality, fear, joy+connection.

Big smiles at Friday's Newry Primary School's Concert from 560 attendees. We welcomed children from 13 schools to join us, presenter Catherine Arlidge & conductor David Brophy for our musical show all about the steps to wellbeing. Our schools concerts are kindly sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation

Alena Baeva joins us this week to perform Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in Coleraine on Thursday and Belfast on Friday. Here she is performing Bartók's Violin Concerto No.2 with us on her last visit in April 2024. Book tickets: Coleraine – buff.ly/y8Jril0 Belfast – buff.ly/laujPrZ

Our Schools Concerts reached Ballymena today, where 413 attendees learned to 'Take 5' with the 5 steps to wellbeing, demonstrated through music from the Orchestra, conductor David Brophy + presenter Cath Arlidge. Schools concerts are sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation.

You have two chances to see violinist Alena Baeva perform with the Ulster Orchestra + conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea next week: 1️⃣ Diamond Hall, Coleraine on Thu 20 Nov 2️⃣ Ulster Hall, Belfast on Fri 21 Nov. Book your tickets: Coleraine – buff.ly/y8Jril0 Belfast – buff.ly/laujPrZ

Our 2nd day of Schools Concerts took us to Derry~Londonderry where 897 attendees from 17 schools + home learning joined presenter Cath Arlidge, conductor David Brophy + Orchestra to learn about the 5 steps to wellbeing through music. Our schools concerts are sponsored by Kingsbridge Foundation.

This week, the Ulster Orchestra along with presenter Cath Arlidge and conductor David Brophy are touring around five different venues to bring a show packed with music and good vibes to primary school children across Northern Ireland. Our first stop was Omagh, and what a way to kick off our tour!

✨ Job opportunity: We are recruiting for a Section Leader Oboe to join our dynamic and vibrant orchestra. Closing date: 10/12/25. Find out more and apply: www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/vacancy/sect...

On Friday, pianist Alexandra Dariescu joined the Orchestra in the Ulster Hall to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto with conductor Olari Elts. There was also Gabriela Ortiz's 'Clara', inspired by the relationship between Clara and Robert Schumann, and pieces by Schubert and Mendelssohn.

We are delighted to be nominated for this year's Aisling Awards in the TG4 Culture and Arts category, among such great talent – Belfast Tradfest, Brassneck Theatre and Kabosh Theatre. See you there on the 28th! buff.ly/MKjsSqN

30 seconds of pianist Alexandra Dariescu performing Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto with the Ulster Orchestra, from tonight's concert at the Ulster Hall, conducted by Olari Elts, which was part of the Belfast International Arts Festival and Sound of Belfast Festival.

We're very happy to be included in Discover Northern Ireland's first ever ASMR track, "Giant Awakening", showcasing the soundscapes of some of our most iconic locations. Find out more and watch the full version of the track at discovernorthernireland.com/giantawakening

Tomorrow evening, pianist Alexandra Dariescu joins the Orchestra to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto, a piece that Alexandra describes as "a true testimony of Clara's dazzling technique as a pianist, elegance and imagination as a composer." Book your tickets: buff.ly/vV4RlZW

On Friday night we perform Gabriela Ortiz's 'Clara' – a tribute to Clara Schumann which takes the form of five imagined interactions between Clara, her husband Robert, and Gabriela herself – as part of a concert inspired by Clara Schumann. Book your tickets: buff.ly/08sU8XX

On Friday evening, we will play Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 'Italian'. Bassoonist Kristina Hedley remembers the moment she recognised Mendelssohn's voice as a composer, praising the way the composer writes for the woodwind section. Book your tickets: buff.ly/M2vFLHN

The Ulster Orchestra is happy to welcome Christopher Bryson as our new Head of Finance and Business Management. We look forward to working alongside Christopher, and wish him every success in his new role here with us.

In a world where women were expected to sit quietly at home, Clara Schumann forged a long career as a pianist, composer and more. Pianist Alexandra Dariescu explains. Alexandra joins us this Friday to perform Clara Schumann's Piano Concerto.Book your tickets: buff.ly/3mS1BU7

Clara Schumann carries special significance to our horn player Jesse Durkan. Her Piano Concerto (which we perform with Alexandra Dariescu on 7 Nov) was the first piece he ever played with the Orchestra, and he and his wife even named their daughter after her. Book your tickets: buff.ly/M2vFLHN

On sale now – David Attenborough's OCEAN in Concert at the 3Arena, Dublin | 7 March 2026 🌊 Join us on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more full of life, wonder, or surprise than the ocean. Narrated on film by David Attenborough. Book tickets: buff.ly/fFnf7UR

Our next concert celebrates Clara Schumann, composer + one of the most important pianists of the 19th century. Alexandra Dariescu performs Clara's Piano Concerto; Gabriel Ortiz's 'Clara' tells the story of her relationship with her husband Robert; + there's Schubert + Mendelssohn. buff.ly/3mS1BU7

30 seconds of Ulster Orchestra performing Michael Gallen's 'Bád on Alltár' w/ conductor Fiona Monbet, musicians Maria Ryan, Dónal O'Connor + Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh in the Ulster Hall, 24 Oct 2025. A co-commisson by Ulster Orchestra, Irish National Symphony Orchestra + Orchestre National de Bretagne

The Ulster Orchestra has welcomed a wonderful new partnership with the Kingsbridge Foundation, the charitable arm of the Kingsbridge Healthcare Group (@kingsbridgehosp.bsky.social) who are providing valuable support for our upcoming Schools’ concerts series. Read more: buff.ly/rnuxBwq

On Friday night at @belfastfestival.bsky.social, we were joined by conductor Fiona Monbet, the Belfast Philharmonic Choir, musicians Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Maria Ryan and Dónal O'Connor to perform Michael Gallen's 'Bád on Alltár', plus Debussy, Lili Boulanger and Ravel.

We're returning to Coleraine on 20 November for a special concert in the Diamond Hall with violinist Alena Baeva and conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea, featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 'Eroica', Dvořák's Violin Concerto and Samy Moussa's 'Elysium'. Book your tickets: buff.ly/CUK8cTu

Tonight, the Ulster Orchestra will perform "Bád on Alltár," a captivating new piece that intertwines composer Michael Gallen's musical heritage with the rich tapestry of old Irish tales of migration and settlement, capturing the essence of being lost and found. Book now: buff.ly/8Bx5HK8

Composer Michael Gallen and musician and singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh talk about Michael's piece "Bád on Alltár" on BBC Radio Ulster's Blas Ceoil this evening from 8.04pm. 🔊 Listen: buff.ly/CaTsk8P We perform "Bád on Alltár" at tomorrow's concert. 🎟 Book your tickets: buff.ly/8Bx5HK8

Join us at 7pm tomorrow in the Ulster Hall for a pre-concert talk between our Artistic Director Patrick McCarthy and composer Michael Gallen, to talk about his piece, 'Bád on Alltár', which we'll be performing in the evening's concert. Book tickets for tomorrow's concert: buff.ly/i5UVUjo

We're looking forward to performing Michael Gallen's 'Bád on Alltár' on Friday as part of @belfastfestival.bsky.social. The Orchestra will be joined on stage by traditional musicians including Donal O'Connor as the piece blends Traditional Irish and classical music. Book tickets: buff.ly/8Bx5HK8

At Friday night's concert at @belfastfestival.bsky.social we will perform Debussy's evocative and atmospheric 'Nocturnes' – but did you know that the piece was inspired by a set of Nocturnes in another art form? Book your tickets: buff.ly/8Bx5HK8

Fiona Monbet conducts the Orchestra on Friday in a programme including Debussy's Nocturnes, Ravel's Ma mère l'oye (Mother Goose), Lili Boulanger's Trois Morceaux (arranged by Kenneth Hesketh) + Michael Gallen's Bád on Alltár. Part of @belfastfestival.bsky.social. Book your tickets: buff.ly/FKm0bmO

Tune in to In Tune with Petroc Trelawny from 5pm on BBC Radio 3 today to hear composer Michael Gallen talking about his new piece Bád on Alltár, which we'll be performing this Friday at the Belfast International Arts Festival. 🔊 buff.ly/csnRWX3

Lovely to see this article on Michael Collins, our new Principal Guest Artist, in the Autumn 2025 edition of @ism-music.bsky.social Music Journal. Michael is working with the Orchestra on a number of projects over three seasons and will be back with us in November for BBC Radio 3 Classical Live.