Orchestras & Choirs
John regularly gives workshops and masterclasses to choirs, orchestras and schools.
Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra
Conductor
2016 - present
Cork Opera House Concert Orchestra is an exciting new professional orchestra for Cork, and in residence at the Opera House. Founded in 2016 for the acclaimed concert opera series, the orchestra has to date played 13 concert performances of classic operas with the greatest Irish and International opera stars, and many more are planned. Events like the Cork Proms, Right Here Right Now and Christmas Concerts have allowed the orchestra to work with many great artists from other genres, often with custom-made orchestrations, resulting in unique collaborations. Led by the renowned violinist Alan Smale (former leader of both RTÉ Concert and National Symphony Orchestra) the orchestra's membership is comprised of some of Ireland's most gifted professional musicians, most living in, from or connected to Cork.
RTÉ Concert Orchestra
Guest Conductor
2015 - present
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Guest Conductor
Debut 2016
The Voice Effect
Conductor & Co-Director
2011 – 2017
The BIG SING! at Cork International Choral Festival
Conductor
2011 - 2016
Rehearsing and conducting massed choirs and members of the public (800+) to make a unique performance.
Wexford Gateway Orchestra
Conductor
2008 – 2013
The adult beginner symphony orchestra WGO premiered Symphony No.1 "The Gateway" by John O'Brien at the Wexford Opera House in May 2011.
Opera Works (Youth Opera Company)
Music Director
2003 – 2008
Conductor of stage productions, Cork Children’s Chorus, Seraphim (female voice chamber choir), orchestras and ensembles.
Concert Series at the Honan Chapel, University College Cork
Curator
2001 – 2008
Cork School of Music
Guest Conductor
2001 – present
Symphony, Sinfonietta & Intermediate Orchestras, Wind Ensemble, Youth & Fleischmann (Symphony) Choirs.
National Chamber Choir of Ireland
Guest Conductor
2007
University College Cork Choral Society
Conductor
1998 – 2005
Togher Youthlink & Togher Children’s Choir
Artistic Director
1996 – 2001