Musical Director of Lourdes Youth Band
John Walsh began his musical studies as a member of the Artane Boy’s Band and subsequently studied Trumpet with Mr. Josef Csibi at the College of Music, Dublin. Under Mr. Graham Hastings (Principal Trumpet – National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland), he completed an Honour’s degree in music performance (Trinity College Dublin). Further study was taken with Mr. David Mason (Royal College of Music – London), Mr. Raymond Mase (Chair of Brass at Julliard School for Performing Arts, New York), and at masterclasses with Mr. John Wallace.
In 1996, John was awarded a place at the International Summer Music Academy in Nice, France, where he studied intensively with Mr. Guy Touvron (Paris Conservatoire) and several recitals were given John is an active teacher. He has given many lectures/masterclasses on the history, development, and early playing techniques of the trumpet through the ages to present day. In June 2007, he completed a Masters degree in Performance and Musicology, at NUI Maynooth. A gold medallist at Ireland’s Feis Ceoil, and a finalist in the Yamaha International Foundation Scholarship, he performs many solo recitals and regularly with The R.T.E. Concert Orchestra, The Orchestra of St. Cecilia, The Orlando Chamber Orchestra, The Irish Baroque Orchestra, and John is principal trumpet of The Irish Chamber Ensemble and the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra.
In May 2006 John premiered two newly commissioned works for trumpet and regularly performs from the Baroque repertoire for trumpet and organ. In addition to his orchestral and solo work, John has recorded with Sean Hession and The Dave Gold Big Band. John played lead trumpet on tour with Lorna Luft and Dionne Warwick, recorded for television with Phil Coulter and the longest running TV show – The Late Late. John performed in several Irish theatre productions including 42nd Street, Sweeney Todd, The Threepenny Opera and Singing in the Rain and for the West End - Les Miserable, Miss Saigon and Billy Elliott.
John is currently of the Musical Director of the Lourdes Youth Band.