Adult Division Orchestra

Adult Division Orchestra

Adult Division Orchestra is an opportunity for adult musicians who simply love making music – no professional experience required! (see below in sections for minimum performing levels)

We believe music is better when it’s shared, and we welcome all adult players who are excited to be part of something joyful and collaborative.

Whether you last played years ago or you’ve kept it up, this is a place to dust off your instrument, dive into beautiful repertoire, and enjoy playing with others.

In September 2025 we started with Phase One of this new Orchestra, i.e. building a bowed strings section. (i.e. for violin, viola, cello and/or double bass players).

From January 2026 on, in Phase Two we will add other sections (i.e. wind, brass, possibly percussion).

The Spring Term 2026 will see 10/11 rehearsals (following the below schedule) with a focus on fun, learning, and togetherness, and wraps up with a public concert performance in the Whyte Recital Hall, to share what you’ve built together with your conductor, Davide Forti.

This orchestra is as much about the social side as it is about the music – expect plenty of laughs, encouragement, and some time for a cuppa and a chat with like-minded music lovers.

Come for the music, stay for the camaraderie. Let’s play!

Available Orchestra places 2026:

STRING SECTION: (min. required performance Grade 4+ or equivalent experience)

Violin:                        fully booked - please do not register for violin anymore

Viola:                         fully booked - please do not register for viola anymore

Cello:                         fully booked - please do not register for cello anymore

Double Bass:             1 place left

Similarly to the Phase 1 for Strings, we aim at building a small balanced Wind/Brass section first, with potential for growth thereafter. As such the initial intake for Spring 2026 will be offering the following places:

WIND SECTION: (min. required performance Grade 6+ or equivalent experience)

Flute:                           2 Flutes

Clarinet:                       2 Clarinets

Oboe:                          1 Oboe

Basson:                        1 Bassoon

BRASS SECTION: (min. required performance Grade 6+ or equivalent experience)

French Horn:              2 French Horns

Trumpet:                    1 Trumpet

Trombone:                 1 Trombone

Tuba:                          1 Tuba (optional)

PERCUSSION: (min. required performance Grade 6+ or equivalent experience)

Percussion:                1 Percussionist (with variety of instruments)

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:

The provisional Spring Term 2026 rehearsal schedule will include the occasional Saturday rehearsal, and some Sectional rehearsals, due to venue availability restrictions.

Sunday January 11th (Full orchestra)                       10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Whyte Recital Hall)

Sunday January 25th (Strings + Percussion (tbc))    10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday February 1st (Full orchestra)                       10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday February 8th (Wind / Brass)                        10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Room 02)

Sunday February 22nd (Full orchestra)                    10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday March 15th (Full orchestra)                         10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday March 22nd (Full orchestra)                         10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Saturday April 11th (Full orchestra)                         10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday April 26th (Wind / Brass)                              10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Room 02)

There are no rehearsals between 26th April and 23rd May (due to current venue restrictions), subject to possible revision.

Saturday May 23rd (Full orchestra)                          10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Whyte Recital Hall)

Sunday June 7th (Full orchestra)                               10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Vernon Studio)

Sunday June 14th (Full orchestra)                             10:30 AM – 1:00 PM (Whyte Recital Hall)

+ Concert                                                                 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Whyte Recital Hall)

Participation Fees:

Full Fee (New joiners): €125 (not currently registered for AD Group Classes in Spring 2026)

Discounted Fee: €110 (available for Previous AD Orchestra Participants & Registered Participants in Spring 2026 AD Group Classes)

To receive a discount code, please contact adultdivision@riam.ie (Retrospective discounts for bookings already made, are not possible !!!)

Learning Outcomes

• Improved Ensemble Skills – Develop confidence in playing as part of a group, including listening, blending, and following a conductor.
• Musical Growth – Strengthen your understanding of rhythm, dynamics, phrasing, and musical expression through regular practice and performance.
• Instrumental Technique – Enhance your individual playing ability with structured rehearsal time and exposure to varied repertoire.
• Collaborative Confidence – Build teamwork and communication skills by creating music with others in a supportive, social environment.
• Performance Experience – Gain experience performing in front of an audience in a low-pressure, enjoyable setting that celebrates progress over perfection.

Prerequisites

Participants must:

- Be no less than 18 years of age

- Be of the advised minimum performance level (per section)

- Bring their own instruments, (music stands will be available at RIAM)

Tutors

Davide Forti

Davide Forti (b. 1993, Trieste, Italy) is an accomplished cellist and dedicated music educator currently based in Ireland. He began his studies at the Conservatorio G. Tartini in Trieste, earning his Master’s Degree in Cello Performance in 2017 with full marks. In 2019, he completed the prestigious Recital Artist Diploma (First Class Honours) at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) under the mentorship of William Butt.

Throughout his career, Davide has consistently pursued artistic growth, attending masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Thomas Carroll, Maja Bogdanović, Enrico Bronzi, Giovanni Gnocchi, and Enrico Dindo. He also deepened his chamber music experience at the International Chamber Music Academy in Duino, working with the Trio di Parma. 

His artistry has been recognised with several national and international prizes, including First Prizes in the Clyde Twelvetrees Cup and the Elsner Memorial Cup at Feis Ceoil (2021), Second Prizes in the Pro Cello International Competition and Senior Violoncello Competition at Feis Ceoil, the Fano Scholarship at Venice Music Master (2019), and Third Prize at the Lilian Caraian Competition (2013).

As a performer, Davide is active across multiple platforms: as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral cellist. He regularly collaborates with ensembles such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the Ulster Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Irish National Opera, and the Orchestra of the Irish National Youth Ballet. In 2024, he performed as second cello with the Northern Ireland Opera Orchestra.

A versatile chamber musician, he has formed the Sonas Duo with pianist Francesca De Nardi since 2016. The duo has performed widely in Ireland and Italy at festivals such as Kaleidoscope Night, Music for Wexford, and Cividale International Mastercourses. Their collaboration has been recognized with top prizes at the Feis Ceoil and IMKA International Music Competition. Their upcoming debut album, Reimagined Opera (September 2025), reinterprets operatic masterpieces through original arrangements for cello and piano. 

Equally passionate about teaching, Davide is a committed and innovative pedagogue. He currently teaches cello at the Adult Division of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, where he works extensively with adult learners in both individual and group settings, including cello  ensembles. In addition, he teaches for Music Generation Louth, where he leads three orchestral programmes for students aged 7–18. Since 2019, he has served as conductor and music director of the Senior Orchestra, later expanding his role to include the Junior Orchestra
and the First Strings programme. With these ensembles, Davide has performed in numerous prominent venues, including the National Concert Hall in Dublin, offering young musicians valuable performance experience. 

In August 2024, he led the Music Generation Louth Orchestra on a concert tour in Italy, an enriching musical and cultural experience that included collaborative performances with a local choir — fostering meaningful international connections through music. His teaching philosophy is rooted in student-centred development, focusing not only on technique but also on fostering creativity, independence, and a deep love of music. He has prepared numerous prize-winning students and has organised youth-focused musical outreach initiatives, including Corda Connections, a collaborative summer string camp with Music Generation Kerry and the Irish Youth Chamber Orchestra. Through his multi-faceted career, Davide Forti continues to combine performance excellence with an enduring commitment to education, collaboration, and musical innovation.