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Studio Symphony Orchestra stage Belfast birthday bash with piano star Michael McHale

The Studio Symphony Orchestra's 70th Anniversary Concert at The Ulster Hall will include a performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto with soloist Michael McHale
The Studio Symphony Orchestra's 70th Anniversary Concert at The Ulster Hall will include a performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto with soloist Michael McHale The Studio Symphony Orchestra's 70th Anniversary Concert at The Ulster Hall will include a performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto with soloist Michael McHale

BELFAST'S Studio Symphony Orchestra will celebrate its 70th anniversary this month with a special concert performance at The Ulster Hall. Directed by members of The Ulster Orchestra, the Studio Symphony Orchestra specialises in large scale works which are rarely staged professionally due to issues of cost.

Attracting skilled young musicians from across Northern Ireland, it provides an opportunity for them to give concerto performances and gain valuable playing experience via the Orchestra's regular concerts.

Over the years, many well known local artists have performed with the orchestra including Sir James Galway, Mary Nelson, Scott Heron, Clare Isdell, Cathal Breslin, Cliona Doris, Anne Harper, David Quigley, Irene Sandford, Michael McGuffin, Derek Bell, Elizabeth Bicker and the Hunt Trio.

The orchestra's next live outing, at The Ulster Hall on Saturday March 25, will be a special one, marking 70 years since it was originally founded by Cork-born composer and conductor Dr Havelock Nelson.

The 70th Anniversary Concert programme will be conducted by David Openshaw, the Studio Symphony Orchestra's principal conductor since Dr Nelson's retirement in 1977, and will comprise Wagner's Prelude to Act III, Lohengrin, Schumann's Piano Concerto – featuring the orchestra's star soloist, pianist Michael McHale from Belfast – and Symphony No 1, Titan, by Mahler.

Educated and trained at Cambridge University and the Royal Academy of Music, Michael McHale (33) has established himself as one of Ireland's most respected young pianists. Winner of the Terence Judd/Halle Award in 2009, he was also awarded the Brennan and Field Prizes at the 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition, the 2005 Camerata Ireland/Accenture Award and last year received a Major Individual Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

McHale's acclaimed debut solo album The Irish Piano was released in 2012, with a follow-up, Minatures & Modulations, appearing in 2015. His discography also includes six duo recital albums with clarinettist Michael Collins on the Chandos label.

Having recently performed on a recording of Strauss's Burleske with the BBC Symphony Orchestra for an upcoming release, imminent projects include duo recitals with Sir James Galway and the Studio Symphony Orchestra's 70th Anniversary Concert.

:: Tickets £15/£12 from the Ulster Hall Box Office on 028 9033 4455 or online at Ulsterhall.co.uk.