Cross Border Orchestra Of Ireland
Promoting Music, Culture & Peace Since 1995
• Professionally-led rehearsals & workshops
• Arena performances in Ireland, NI & GB
• Exceptional opportunities for 13 to 24 year-olds
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) provides exceptional performance opportunities for young people, coupled with orchestral training which is second to none.
If you are a young musician between the ages of 13 and 24 years, who is passionate about music, not afraid of hard work and commitment and wants to work with like-minded young people, now is your chance to become part of one of Ireland’s leading cultural initiatives. Since inception in 1995, CBOI has actively promoted and nurtured cross-border and cross-community culture and connections. Our core message of peace and unity remains central to our mission. Current links include 150 schools in Northern Ireland with over 6,000 Catholic and Protestant children who actively participate in our Peace Proms Arena Tour each year.
Perform at Iconic Arenas Across Ireland, Northern Ireland & Great Britain
As a member of CBOI, you will enjoy the incredible opportunity of performing in our Peace Proms Arena Tour each Spring. This involves up to 15 concerts with audiences in excess of 60,000 people. Concerts take place in iconic arenas including the SSE Arena, Belfast; the Simmonscourt Arena, RDS, Dublin; Limerick University Sports Arena; Waterford Arena; Galway University Sports Arena, and the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool.
Work With Professionals
As a CBOI member, you will perform to professional concert-orchestra standard, working with leading conductors and professional musicians. CBOI’s conductor, Maestro Greg Beardsell, is one of the most outstanding conductors of his generation and is considered a leading light in music education and performance.
Greg is known for his extraordinary ability to lead powerful and exhilarating performances, always getting to the heart of the music. As a CBOI member, you will also have the opportunity to learn from Ireland’s top professional musicians. You will benefit from their expert coaching during workshops and perform alongside them during concerts.
Carnegie Hall, The White House & The Royal Albert Hall
CBOI will return to Carnegie Hall in New York for an exclusive performance to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement on St Patrick’s Day 2023.
In the past, CBOI has performed in many top venues throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall, London, and the World Trade Expo Shanghai where the orchestra won an international music award for ‘Outstanding Performance’. CBOI has also had the honour of performing for Queen Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle and for US President Barak Obama at the White House, Washington D.C.
Who Can Join CBOI?
The CBOI accepts members from every county in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Applicants should be between 13 and 24 years-old. Applications will also be considered from accomplished adults who would value the exceptional opportunities provided by the CBOI.
When CBOI Rehearses & Performs
Rehearsals take place on three Sundays per month from August to January, in Coláiste Chu Chulainn, Dundalk. CBOI Peace Proms Arena Tour concerts take place at weekends from January to March. CBOI is in recess from mid-March until August to facilitate members who are sitting school and college exams.
How to Join CBOI
Information on CBOI’s minimum standards for acceptance, full terms and conditions, provisional rehearsal and performance schedule, and online application are available at the links below. At certain times of year applications will be open for CBOI – if you would like to receive email alerts about upcoming registration periods and events, please join our mailing list.
Testimonials
What Our Members Say About CBOI
“I don’t even know where to begin. Firstly, thank you for everything over the past 18 years. I joined CBOI as a little lost 12 year old and within a year I had stepped on various stages around the country. Then you presented us with an opportunity that was unimaginable. All of a sudden, dreams were starting to come true and we took to the stage of Carnegie Hall, New York. I will never forget that night and it will forever by one of my greatest achievements. The orchestra gave me so much more than amazing opportunities. I’ve made friends for life, I’ve travelled all over Ireland and abroad, I’ve gained so much confidence and hopefully become a better musician. You are an inspiration and I’ll never be able to thank you enough! I’ve had the best eight years! Lots of love.”
Leah
“Thank you so much for the amazing opportunities you have given me over the past five years! I’ve loved every moment of it and I’ve made the most amazing friends for life! I feel so lucky to have been part of this wonderful orchestra and I couldn’t thank you enough for everything. Love.”
Megs
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for my amazing experiences in BOI over the past six years. Being a member of the orchestra gave me the chance to make so many friends and memories that I’ll always cherish. I’ve had the best time ever. Thank you!!!
Laura
“Thank you for another amazing year in the orchestra. I loved every minute, as I always do. I have seen a huge improvement in my playing since joining CBOI. My violin teachers and my music teacher in school said I’ve improved a lot as well. Thanks so much for the amazing opportunities.
Cara
What Parents Say About CBOI
“Katie is on a high after two amazing weekends, she sent me a selfie from the back of the bus on sat night with the caption ‘living the dream’. We are so excited to go to Belfast on Sunday. Thank you so much to you all and please say a big thank you to all the chaperones and 1st and 2nd violinists. Katie said they were all amazing and really looked after the girls. A huge well done and thank you so, so much for this wonderful experience and for the opportunities you are all giving our children. It is really appreciated. Sharon, . . . thanks to you for such an amazing year.”
Anonymous
“Theodora joined CBOI (a little timidly) last August but from the first day was made to feel so welcome. The enthusiasm, fun and friendships that she gets from the rehearsals through the year – despite all of the Covid measures – has been brilliant to see. Like everyone else she has plenty going on but would not miss a Sunday in Dundalk which I think says it all. Needless to say, the concerts were just amazing, and she has been on a high for the entire month of May. I attended one in Limerick and [one in] Belfast, and live streamed the Helix ones and enjoyed them all – as did the grannies! I marvelled at the work and effort that went into it.”
Jenny
Just wanted to say a huge thank you to yourself and everyone behind the scenes in the CBOI for what has been an amazing 2022 tour. I know this tour hasn’t been the easiest to organise and arrange with all [the] restrictions and unknowns. So, a huge well done for making it happen. Alex has enjoyed the whole experience so much and it really has inspired her and brought on her confidence so much, she literally cannot wait for the August workshops and next year’s tour. She has had so much fun and made so many new friends from all over Ireland. And it’s been an absolute joy to see her so happy and excited after everything they have been through since the pandemic. So, thank you so much for giving her the opportunity. She sits her Junior Cycle exams next month, then heading into TY in September, so I’m sure she will want to help out with next year’s choir workshops or any other projects as part of her work experience. See you in August.
Anonymous
“I just had to email you to say a thousand thank yous to you and all the crew at CBOI/CUI/Peace Proms. Yesterday afternoon’s concert in Belfast was spectacular. I have no voice left!”
Anonymous
“Liam has had the time of his life over the last few weekends and I just wanted to let you know what an amazing impact the whole experience has had on him. I hope you are having a well-deserved rest this week.”
Margaret
“This year with CBOI has been a fantastic experience for Elsie, she has become so much more confident in both her musical performance and personality, thank you so much for this. She is very excited about next season and the 2023 tour. And looking forward to next term, if there is anything James or I could do to help out, please just ask.”
Naomi
“Thank you so much for all you do for the orchestra. As a new parent I can just say, I was totally blown away by all the concerts, and the organization was impeccable. It all went off without the slightest hitch. I am in awe of you!!!! Conor has had such an amazing life-changing time!! Thank you so, so much.”
Nicola
“Amazing work on the Ireland tour Sharon, it was an incredible tour in every sense. I read the programme in detail over the weekend, that’s the first real understanding we have had of just how hard you worked to make this much needed project happen. You are a total inspiration thank you.”
Nicola
“Thank you so much to yourself, Greg and all involved in making the recent concerts such a success. My pair, Abigail and Aisling thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. We were hugely impressed by the professional calibre of the orchestra, considering their age range. Just incredible. I have been involved as a teacher in the past, but having my girls involved this year was extra special. Many thanks again for all you do.”
Olivia
“A huge congratulations on the recent tour! It was absolutely amazing! Ana just loves the whole thing, the rehearsals, the concerts but especially all the new friends she has made (her best buddy’s grannies are both from Drogheda and both know each other they discovered! It’s a small world!), so thanks so much for all the time and effort that you put into the orchestra.”
Sinead
