From 9-14 July 2025, the historic city of Vienna will welcome the world’s brightest young musical talents to the World Orchestra Festival, a celebration of passion, resilience, and extraordinary potential.
Among the competitors, ICO Youth, a remarkable group of 30 young musicians from Limerick City will proudly carry Ireland’s flag, shining a powerful light on Limerick’s spirit and talent.
These young artists are more than performers, they are storytellers, dreamers, and trailblazers whose journey through music has already begun to transform their lives and their community. Their presence on this international stage is a testament to the power of opportunity, the strength of dedication, and the vision of Irish Chamber Orchestra’s (ICO) unique education programmes, which open doors and shape futures throughout Limerick.
“This is transformational for the individuals, for the community, and for the future of Limerick. Irish Chamber Orchestra extends deep gratitude to the Ireland Funds, to our Friends and Sponsors whose belief and generosity have made this extraordinary journey possible. We remain committed to nurturing talent, inspiring hope, and creating pathways where young people can dream boldly and shine brilliantly” said CEO Gerry Keenan.
Viennese audiences will be swept away by an emotive programme brimming with grandeur, from the delicate wonder of Beginnings by Sam Perkin, through the soulful heartbeat of Arthur Duff’s Irish Suite for Strings, the playful brilliance of Strauss’s Pizzicato and Tritsch-Tratsch Polkas, to the cosmic intensity of Holst’s Mars and the high spirits of Jupiter. The night reaches its crescendo with Dvořák’s New World Symphony, a symphonic journey that speaks of hope, belonging, and new horizons. ICO Youth will be conducted in Vienna by Tamasine Anna Plowman from 9-14 July 2025.
The World Orchestra Festival is more than a competition, it is a gathering of hearts and minds from every corner of the globe, where music bridges divide and creates lasting connections. ICO Youth will perform in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues, including the legendary House of Strauss and Vienna’s City Hall, culminating in a breathtaking finale at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein.
Workshops with world-class professors from Vienna’s University of Music and Performing Arts heightens the experience, enriching student knowledge and sharpening their skills, empowering these young musicians to reach greater goals. We are immensely proud of our students.
Programme/Vienna
Sam Perkin Beginnings
Arthur Duff Irish Suite for Strings
Strauss Pizzicato Polka /Tritsch Tratsch Polka
Holst Mars & Jupiter from The Planets
Dvořák New World Symphony
*As Ireland’s national chamber orchestra, ICO is proud to call the University of Limerick its home, while also regularly touring across Ireland and internationally. ICO is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon.