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ulsterorchestra.bsky.social
Ulster Orchestra
@ulsterorchestra.bsky.social
Northern Ireland's only professional symphony orchestra whose mission is to enrich lives through music. ulsterorchestra.org.uk
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Our 2025/26 concerts are now on sale. ✨

What will you hear?

Notes full of drama, notes that bring peace, notes that paint landscapes; notes of myth and legend, notes filled with emotion...

Every Note Tells a Story.

Explore our new season of concerts and book your tickets.
buff.ly/2iRmCEk
On Friday we welcome Jess Gillam to the Ulster Hall.

Jess is a saxophonist whose electrifying performances, vibrant stage presence and magnetic personality has seen her invited to play on the world’s major stages. She also has an award-winning weekly show on BBC Radio 3.

Tickets: buff.ly/94xCuZx
January 21, 2026 at 8:01 PM
We're delighted to have saxophonist Jess Gillam join us on Friday night to perform Anna Clyne's 'Glasslands', a concerto for saxophone and orchestra. Here Anna talks about writing the piece for Jess and what you can expect.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/RhEIaY3
January 20, 2026 at 8:03 PM
🌟 Dazzling symphonic renditions of Elton John's hits, performed by the Ulster Orchestra and West End singers. A perfect night out for Valentine's (or Galentine's) Day! ❤️‍🔥

Book your tickets: buff.ly/QMfiZwE
January 18, 2026 at 3:01 PM
This week, Orchestra members worked with musician Omid Asghari on an Arts Council of Northern Ireland-funded mentoring project, developing new music blending Persian and European traditions. Tuesday's workshop explored draft pieces, with a premiere planned for this spring.
January 17, 2026 at 12:01 PM
We're really looking forward to saxophonist Jess Gillam joining us this time next week to perform Anna Clyne's 'Glasslands', a concerto for saxophone and orchestra inspired by the banshee of Irish folklore. The concert also includes Shostakovich's 9th Symphony.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/94xCuZx
January 16, 2026 at 7:45 PM
We're delighted to be working with Black Lives in Music on their Recruiting Classical Woodwind Extra Work Auditions.

Find out more and apply: buff.ly/shoLP8E
January 16, 2026 at 3:35 PM
Reposted by Ulster Orchestra
Good concert tonight from @ulsterorchestra.bsky.social of 5 pieces recorded for R3 New Music. Highlight for me a wonderful piece from Nahia Vicente evoking whales and the sea
January 15, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Join us tomorrow night in the Ulster Hall for a FREE CONCERT of contemporary music by Dutch, Spanish, UK and Irish composers for BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show.

Featuring works by Anne-Marie O'Farrell, Jack Sheen, Nahia Vicente, Robin de Raaff and Otto Ketting.

Get your free tickets: buff.ly/ufAA6LE
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 PM
Clarinettist Michael Collins reflects on his personal relationship with Finzi's Clarinet Concerto ahead of play-directing the work with us this coming February for our On Your Doorstep 'Gentle Echoes' concerts in Armagh, Enniskillen & Newtownabbey in late February.

Get tickets: buff.ly/GVt1MEd
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Grab your FREE tickets for our first concert of the year with BBC Radio 3 at the Ulster Hall this Thursday night, and join us for an exciting programme of contemporary music by Dutch, Spanish, UK and Irish composers being recorded for BBC Radio 3’s New Music Show.

buff.ly/ufAA6LE
January 12, 2026 at 8:02 PM
We are delighted to welcome Andrew Douglas to our woodwind section as Principal Flute No. 3 and Piccolo player. We wish Andrew all the best in his new role.
January 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Join us and saxophonist Jess Gillam on 23 January to hear the Irish premiere of Anna Clyne's 'Glasslands'. Conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, along with works by Britten & Shostakovich, 'Glasslands' for soprano saxophone & orchestra takes inspiration from Irish Folklore.

Get tickets: buff.ly/aBBsyr9
January 6, 2026 at 6:03 PM
We're coming to Strule Arts Centre and Guildhall this April for a concert that spans the Scottish Highlands and Norwegian fjords, with music from Mendelssohn, Grieg and more.

Book your tickets.
Strule Arts Centre: buff.ly/aSKHM0v
Guildhall: buff.ly/xcz2Aqa
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Join us this March for an unmissable, magical, multi-media event featuring popular CBeebies theme tunes, orchestral treats, live action film and animation with a few surprises along the way!

Book tickets now
Belfast: buff.ly/3j1FNRD
Derry~Londonderry: buff.ly/gShLr7d
January 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM
2025 has been another amazing year and we want to thank you all for being a part of it, whether you've come to a concert, listened to us on the radio or streaming, or liked a post on social media. Wishing you all a very happy new year and we hope to see you again in 2026. 🎉
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Cellist Victor Julien-Laferrière performs what many consider one of the greatest cello concertos of all time by Dvořák at our concert 'Far From Home' on 6 February. The concert also features Brahms' Second Symphony, conducted by Kerem Hasan.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/tQyLrJO
December 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Saxophonist Jess Gillam joins us on 23 January at our concert 'Kindred Spirits', where she performs Anna Clyne's 'Glasslands', a piece inspired by the Irish myth of the Banshee. We also perform Britten's 'Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge' and Shostakovich's 9th Symphony.

🎟️ buff.ly/WcyhVhX
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
We have a special Valentine's Day treat for lovers of Elton John, as we present a dazzling symphonic tribute to the legendary singer at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

West End singers join the Orchestra to perform some of Elton's biggest hits.

Book your tickets: buff.ly/lFtPe6y
December 27, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Seasons Greetings from all of us here at Ulster Orchestra - thank you for making us part of your festivities this Christmas! We look forward to seeing you in 2026. 🎵✨👏
December 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
It really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year at our Magic of Christmas concerts.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday at the Waterfront Hall and last night at the Millennium Forum, where West End singers Alice Fearn and Hugh Maynard performed festive favourites with the Orchestra. ✨
December 23, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you need a last minute bit of Christmas cheer, we have extra tickets available now for 'The Magic of Christmas' in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast this Sunday! Join us, Alice Fearn, Hugh Maynard (singers) & Alfonso Casado Trigo (conductor) for a festive evening of music.

Book now: buff.ly/SH5A5w2
December 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
It's just one week until Christmas, and our musicians have been out + about over the last few weeks spreading some festive cheer at events in the community, including at St Comgall's, Northumberland St interface gates, and our partner Ulster University's Belfast campus. Thanks to all who joined us 🎶
December 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Our Principal Guest Artist, Michael Collins, joins us next February for three special concerts in Armagh, Enniskillen and Newtownabbey. Michael will be play-directing this fantastic programme, which he kindly shared his thoughts about with us.

Purchase tickets: buff.ly/FQx8gaM
December 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Give the gift of music this Christmas with tickets to our Tribute to Elton John concert in February in the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. With guest appearances from vocalists Abbie Osmon, Graham Bickley, Jon Boydon, & Stuart Matthew-Price, this is a show you won't want to miss!
Book now: buff.ly/aSt1dnk
December 11, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Our annual concert featuring the music and story of 'The Snowman', 'The Bear and the Piano' and other festive tunes is always an audience favourite. We were led by conductor George Morton, and joined by presenter Brigid Shine, BSL Interpreter Rachel Roberts and two young soloists, Catherine & Robyn.
December 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM