About Bombast!

featuring works by Black composers, many of whom forming the US-based composer collective Blacknificent 7, and Latiné composers, Berginald presents Bombast! features the world premiere of Joseph Hallman's Clarinet Concerto for clarinet and chamber ensemble, interpolation and extemporization around a Joy Guidry timely and arresting original, powerful and poignant works by such provocative and revolutionary composers as GRAMMY® winning Gabriela Ortiz, GRAMMY® -nominated Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon, and Imani Winds founding member Jeff Scott. Listeners will also encounter introspective works by the highly celebrated Nkeiru Okoye, internationally lauded Quinn Mason, GRAMMY® winning composer and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Mead's Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery and GRAMMY® nominated composer Shawn Okpebholo.

Right here in Dublin, Bombast! brings together some of today's most celebrated musicians from around the world such as violinist Chelsea Sharpe of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and viola soloist, chamber musician, pedagogue and recording artist Clifton Harrison formerly of the Kreutzer Quartet, in collaboration with some of Ireland's own incredibly gifted musicians such as concert curator, critically acclaimed clarinettist, presenter and recording artist Berginald Rash; founder of the spectacular Fuddlefest and brilliant hornist Hannah Miller of the Irish Chamber Orchestra; Bangers & Crash percussionist Paddy Nolan; internationally lauded and critically acclaimed cellist, composer and recording artist Ailbhe McDonagh of Ireland's Ficino Ensemble; harpist, recording artist, artistic director of Music on the Farm at Cornstown House and Ph.D candidate Fiona Gryson and the National Symphony Orchestra's own Section Leader/Principal bassoon Greg Crowley. In addition to the bombastic tonal offerings, Bombast! features visual art by New York born, Europe-based visual media artist Ishmael Claxton whose poignant and zeitgeist capturing work has been seen internationally from Japan, the Caribbean, Europe and across the US.

Grouped in couplets of solo and chamber pieces like an ode to the chasm between rugged individualism and the human ache for community and connection, Bombast! is the audacity to live out loud, boldly and unapologetically; the assertion of one's right to exist, and the unwavering expression of and commitment to one's identity despite the risk of violence and retribution.

Artists

Chelsea Sharpe | violin

American violinist Chelsea Sharpe is a member of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in Croatia and previously played with Louisville Orchestra (US). From 2017-2021 she was a fellow at the New World Symphony and has played with the Grant Park Orchestra, toured with the Sphinx Virtuosi, and serves as a substitute for the London, Atlanta, and Indianapolis Symphonies.

Most recently she joined the London Symphony on tour across Europe and Asia under the baton of Sir Antonio Pappano and performed at the BBC Proms with Chineke! Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall. Ms. Sharpe attended Rice University, the University of Southern California, and has spent summers at the Grafenegg Academy, Sarasota Music Festival, Heifetz International Music Institute, Music Academy of the West, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, and Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix (Quebec).

She is a proud graduate of the Atlanta Symphony's Talent Development Program, founded by Ms. Azira Hill. 

Clifton Harrison | viola

A true 21st-century musician, American viola and viola d’amore player Clifton Harrison has forged a performing and recording career spanning a huge range of genres and embracing the creative potential of in-depth research. He studied at the Juilliard School and Royal Academy of Music and is the former viola player in the acclaimed Kreutzer Quartet. He maintains an active freelance career working with many of the London orchestras, contemporary music groups, and early music ensembles. Clifton has appeared as guest principal viola with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Academy of Ancient Music, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, BBC Concert Orchestra, the Hanover Band, Manchester Camerata, Irish Baroque Orchestra, and London Handel Orchestra.

Alongside his extensive classical recording catalogue, he can be heard on hundreds of television, film and album soundtracks. He has toured worldwide with countless classical ensembles as well as performed with popular artists as wide-ranging as Eric Clapton, Björk, Laura Mvula, the James Taylor Quartet, Michael Kiwanuka, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Thom Yorke, Dermot Kennedy, Jonny Greenwood, and Ellie Goulding. Clifton has been heard in festivals throughout the world, from the muddy fields of Glastonbury to the EFG London Jazz Festival, Ghent Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, and London’s BBC Proms. He has a strong passion for educating the next generation. He has recently given lectures and masterclasses at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Vanderbilt University (USA), Royal Academy of Music (UK), Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and at the European String Teachers Association (ESTA) International Conference 2023 in Cardiff Wales. He is also a viola tutor for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and Nicola Benedetti’s Benedetti Foundation.

Recent album releases are on the Hyperion, Universal Music, Sony, NAXOS, Warner Music, Navona Records, NMC Records, Métier, and Signum Classics labels.

Visit Clifton’s website www.cliftonharrison.co

Ailbhe McDonagh | cello

Ailbhe McDonagh has earned international recognition as both a soloist and chamber musician. According to Fanfare Magazine, “she plays with awless technique, faultless intonation, and a strong yet meltingly sweet tone”. Ailbhe has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Yale Norfolk Festival, and the Schleswig Holstein Music Festival. She has given performances for the Irish President at Áras an Uachtaráin, appears regularly on national television and radio, and her recordings have been broadcast worldwide. 

As an accomplished chamber musician, Ailbhe collaborates with the acclaimed pianist John O’Conor, with her sister Orla McDonagh, and with violinist Lynda O’Connor. She is a member of the Ficino Ensemble and the traditional Irish music crossover group Trio Elatha.

In addition to her performance career, Ailbhe is an established composer published by Boosey & Hawkes. Her compositions have been featured in syllabi worldwide, and has received commissions from festivals in Ireland, USA and Europe. Her debut orchestral work 'Irish Isles Suite' was recorded and released by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 2023. 

Her debut solo album, ‘It's a Cello Thing’ (2012), was named CD of the Week on Ireland’s national classical music station, RTÉ Lyric FM. Her 2020 album, ‘Skellig’, was featured in the Irish Examiner’s Top Albums of the Year. In 2021, Ailbhe released ‘Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas’ with John O'Conor on the Steinway label. Classical Music Sentinel states "McDonagh and O'Conor coalesce perfectly, as if propelled by the music's undertow, and echo each other's expressive mien with dynamic balance" and proclaims it as one of their Essential Recordings. AllMusic gave the album 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

In 2024, she released her new album, ‘Bach: Complete Solo Cello Suites’ on the Steinway & Sons label. This is the first such recording by an Irish cellist. 

Ailbhe has been a member of the strings faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music since 2010. She is also in demand as a masterclass instructor. 

Ailbhe performs on an Andrea Postacchini cello from 1833.

Visit Ailbhe’s website www.ailbhemcdonagh.com

Fiona Gryson | harp

Fiona Gryson enjoys a varied career as a professional, freelance harpist and teacher. A thoughtful and consummate curator, Fiona is music director of the Cornstown House ‘Music on the Farm’ concert series, a member of the Advisory Group for Cruit Éireann | Harp Ireland, director of the Fingal Harp Ensemble and co-director of the TU Dublin Conservatoire Harp Ensemble with Rachel Duffy and Clíona Doris. Fiona is in demand as a teacher of both lever and concert pedal harps, running a private harp studio in Co. Dublin. A recipient of a Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship awarded by Research Ireland, Fiona Gryson is pursuing PhD research with Prof. Clíona Doris and Dr. Helen Lawlor at TU Dublin Conservatoire. With clarinettist Berginald Rash, Fiona recently released their début album of clarinet and harp transcriptions entitled ‘Dathanna: Hues and Shades’ under the Orchid label. She has performed as Principal Harpist with the National Symphony and RTÉ Concert Orchestras, the Irish Chamber and the Ulster Orchestras. As a soloist and member of ensembles, she has performed extensively nationally and internationally, both live and on television and radio.With Rachel Duffy, she is delighted to co-direct Cairde na Cruite’s An Chúirt Chruitireachta International Harp Festival 2025.
Vist Fiona’s website fionagryson.ie

Berginald | Rash clarinet

Hailed for his ‘especially stylish’ playing (The Guardian), acclaimed American-Irish clarinetist and historical clarinet practitioner Berginald Rash is an exciting international artist having performed at the Boyne Music Festival and Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival, and having won the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival's 2015 Support Act Residency with the Mondrian Trio. Based in Dublin, Ireland, he was awarded the Recital Artist Diploma from the Royal Irish Academy of Music where he was an 1848 Scholar and Teaching Fellow. A versatile and skilled pedagogue and clinician, he has served on the PRIZM Music Camp & International Chamber Music Festival faculty and has given masterclasses at Truman State University, University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point, University of Kansas, Millikin University, and Vanderbilt University. Mr. Rash has been heard with such orchestras as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Orchestra of the Swan, the Virginia Symphony, and the Ulster Orchestra. He has performed on BBC 3’s In Tune with Sean Rafferty and made, among others, his BBC Proms, Lucerne Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Snape Maltings Proms, Gent Festival Van Vlaanderen, Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth and Royal Festival Halls, Elbphilharmonie and the Concertgebouw debuts. 

Comfortable as both a chamber musician and soloist, Mr. Rash has collaborated with members of such orchestras as London's Philharmonia Orchestra, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt hr-Sinfonieorchester, Atlanta Symphony, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and with the ConTempo Quartet. He has been a featured concerto soloist at the National Concert Hall and Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland. With harpist Fiona Gryson, Berginald performed as part of the online ‘Sundays @ Noon’ concert series at the Hugh Lane Gallery which was also featured on NearTV FM and at Kaleidoscope Night music series. Berginald is a Devon & Burgani Artist on the Fluency series and has been featured on the cover of the International Clarinet Association’s (ICA) September 2020 publication of The Clarinet with clarinetist Mariam Adam. 

He is a former member of the ICA's Social Media committee with whom he and clarinetist Dr. Sarah Manasreh host the video blog series, "Clarinet & Community". Mr. Rash is a TEDx speaker, was featured on Classically Black Podcast's “Black Excellence” segment, has been featured on the European Association of Conservatoires’ (AEC) Strengthening Music in Society podcast series, and has been a reviewer for BBC Radio 3's Record Review, a presenter on BBC Radio 3's Inside Music, presented a three-part docu-series on BBC Radio 3 entitled "The American Clarinet", and a contributor on BBC Radio 4's How to Play. He has been featured on RTÉ lyric FM's Full Score with Liz Nolan and Aedín in the Afternoon where he along with his duo partner, harpist Fiona Gryson, shared their debut album, Dathanna: Hues and Shades. Since 2022 served as the voice of RTÉ lyric FM's Black History Month. A Devon & Burgani artist, Berginald currently sits on the Board of Directors for both Crash Ensemble and Chamber Music Scotland.

He has been awarded the Arts Council of Ireland’s 2020 & 2022 Music Bursary as well as a 2021 Arts Council Agility Award. In 2022, Berginald began his journey into historical clarinet with Marie Ross and Katherine “Waffy” Spencer, joined the Board of Trustees for Chamber Music Scotland, the Board of Directors for Crash Ensemble,  and served on the faculty of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's YOLA Institute. In May 2024 Mr. Rash made his solo debut with RTÉ Concert Orchestra for RTÉ lyric FM’s live streamed 25th Anniversary Gala. That same month he launched his five-part chamber music series at the National Concert Hall entitled, “From Antiquity to Modernity.”

Informed by lived experience and critical research in the field of arts and culture, Mr. Rash advocates and consults in the areas of justice, equality/equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. In this capacity he has worked with the Irish Baroque Orchestra, Contemporary Music Centre Ireland, and has spoken as both a panelist and keynote speaker at the Compear Global Education Network, Sphinx Organization and Accenture respectively.

Greg Crowley | bassoon

Greg was appointed Section Principal Bassoon of the National Symphony Orchestra in May 2021. He obtained his undergraduate degree in 2019 studying with Janet Bloxwich at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he was awarded a first class honours. In 2020 he then completed a Postgraduate Diploma at the RCS under the tutelage of David Hubbard, Alison Green and Graeme Brown.

During his studies Greg won the RCS Classical Concerto Prize which culminated in a performance of Weber’s Bassoon Concerto with the RCS Symphony Orchestra in 2018. He also  won the inaugural RCS Bassoon Prize in his final year of study. Other concerto engagements include the Hibernian Orchestra in Dublin and in July 2023 he made his concerto debut with the NSO playing Strauss’ Duet Concertino.

Hannah Miller | horn

Hannah Miller received her Bachelor’s degree from Finland’s Sibelius Academy and graduated with a Master’s degree from the Juilliard School, where she was awarded with the William Schuman Prize for outstanding achievement in music and leadership.

Hannah currently works as Principal Horn with the Irish National Opera and joined the Irish Chamber Orchestra in 2023. She also performs with the Wexford Festival Opera, and is a former member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland and the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra in Finland. 

With a keen interest in new music, Hannah is a member of the experimental Kirkos Ensemble, and she has also worked with Crash Ensemble, Le Concert Impromptu and Ulysses Ensemble in recent years. She enjoys a varied career including performances at festivals including the Killaloe Chamber Music Festival, New Music Dublin, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival and All Together Now, and has performed with chamber groups including the Picorlino Trio, Ficino Ensemble, Cornucopia Quartet and many more in recent years.

As a soloist, Hannah has performed Strauss’ Horn Concerto no.1 with the Greystones Orchestra and Mozart's Horn Concerto no.1 with Wexford Sinfonia in 2025; Britten's Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings with singer Christopher Bowen and the Hibernian Orchestra in 2024; the principal horn obbligato from Mahler's Symphony no. 5 in 2020 in Carnegie Hall with the Juilliard Orchestra; Strauss' Horn Concerto no.2 with the Esker Festival Orchestra in 2019 and Schumann's Concerto for four horns with Wexford Sinfonia in 2017.

Hannah is the Festival Director and founder of ‘FuddleFest’, an annual family-run music festival based at her home in Fuddletown, Wexford which will be taking place on the 30th and 31st August 2025.

Visit Fuddlefest’s website www.fuddlefest.ie

Patrick Nolan | percussion

Patrick Nolan enjoys an eclectic career as a freelance percussionist. Moving to Glasgow from his native Dublin in 2009, he studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under Kurt-Hans Goedicke, John Poulter, Tom Hunter, Martin Gibson, Christopher Lamb and Eric Sammut. During his time there, he was the grateful recipient of the ABRSM scholarship and winner of the Governors' Recital Prize.

Patrick regularly performs with orchestras across Ireland and the UK, including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Irish National Opera, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and Royal Northern Sinfonia. He has had the honour of touring with the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Keen to showcase the myriad possibilities of percussion instruments, Patrick has enjoyed touring with Alex Petcu’s Bangers and Crash group, most recently in the latter part of 2024, delivering workshops and playing concerts across the country. He has the privilege to perform on occasion with Crash Ensemble, Red Note Ensemble and, as a founding member, the Glasgow Percussion Collective.

Away from music, Patrick loves getting outdoors and going for cold water dips. He is a follower of tennis and hopes one day to make it to all of the Grand Slams (as a spectator!).

John Doyle | conductor

John Doyle is one of Ireland's most exciting and innovative conductors. 

After graduating from Trinity College Dublin and the Royal Irish Academy of Music with first class honours, John studied with figures such as George Hurst, (UK) Atso Almila (Finland), Rodolfo Saglimbeni (Venezuela), Benjamin Zander (USA) and Robert Houlihan (Ireland.) He now divides his time equally between choral and orchestral conducting, appearing in venues as varied as Dublin’s NCH, Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall, the Scottish National Events Centre, Aberdeen's King's Hall, the Marketplace Armagh, Waterfront Belfast and the Guildhall Derry, across a wide range of repertoires and genres.  

John is a passionate advocate of new music. He has been Artistic Director of Co-Orch Dublin since 2011 where his work focuses on 20th century and contemporary repertoire. He has commissioned new works for the orchestra by award winning young composers such as Sam Perkin, Bryan Pepper, Ena Brennan, Elis Czerniak, Luke Duffy, Amy Rooney and Tom Lane as well as giving the Irish premieres of works by internationally recognised composers such as Max Richter. He appears regularly with groups such as the Dublin Symphony Orchestra, Dublin Baroque Players (City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra) and the Orchestra of St. Luke. Recent collaborations with nationally and internationally acclaimed soloists include Patrick Rafter (Prokofiev Violin Concerto no. 1), Alexander Bernstein (Gershwin Piano Concerto), Ailbhe McDonagh (Elgar and Shostakovich Cello Concertos), Roisin Walters (Bach A minor and Sibelius Violin Concertos) and Colm O’ Braoin (Richter’s Four Seasons recomposed.) Notable recent projects include ‘A Midsummer Rights Theme’ and and Concert for Paris. ‘A Midsummer Rights Theme', performed on International Music Day, was a groundbreaking re-imagining of Beethoven 9 which saw this seminal piece performed alongside four world premieres representing Ireland’s most exciting young composers’ responses to Beethoven’s epic Choral Symphony. Concert for Paris, a performance of Faure's Requiem by musicians from all parts of the island of Ireland, was recorded and broadcast by RTE. 

John is Music Director of Mount Anville Choral Society and conducts the multi award winning Dublin Concert Band. Recent DCB Projects have included HARP, A River Cantata, as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival in collaboration with Ulysses Opera Theater and a residency at the prestigious La Croix Valmer festival in the South of France. He was named as Music Director of Caintairi Avondale in September 2017.  

Ishmael Claxton | visual artist

Ishmael Claxton is a New York-born photographer who has made Dublin his home for the past decade. Through his lens, Ishmael explores pressing societal issues, using photography as a powerful tool for storytelling. His acclaimed series, Migration/Integration and Capall Gang, delve into themes of identity, culture, and transformation, offering a thought-provoking perspective on the world’s ongoing changes.

A passionate advocate for Ireland's photography community, Ishmael co-founded the ÍOVA Club, a collective that fosters collaboration and creativity among photographers. Through the club, he has been instrumental in organizing initiatives such as Culture Night exhibitions, gallery visits, and networking opportunities for emerging artists.

Ishmael's work has been widely showcased in both national and international exhibitions. In 2023, he participated in 39 exhibitions, with notable highlights including shows at Outset Gallery, 126 Gallery Galway, Rua Red Gallery, Carlow Visual, and the Ulster Museum. His portrait of artist Sean Hillen garnered special recognition in the LensCulture Portrait Choice Awards 2023.

In addition to group exhibitions, Ishmael has held solo shows at prominent venues such as Gallery X (2022) and Round Rabbit (2023), with exhibitions at the National Concert Hall and the Irish Georgian Society in 2024. His artistry continues to inspire, earning him the TLP Book Award in 2024, an AIR residency at the Photo Museum, and a place in the Shutter Hub Open 2025: Selected Photographers exhibition.

Through his dedication to both his craft and the broader photography community, Ishmael Claxton remains a vital force in shaping contemporary visual culture.

Visit Ishmael’s website www.ishmaelclaxton.com

Programme

JOY GUIDRY Just because I have a dick doesn't mean I'm a Man

CARLOS SIMON Loop for string trio

QUINN MASON In Memory for solo horn

IVÁN ENRIQUE RODRIGUEZ The Broken Contract for harp and recording

NKEIRU OKOYE Breaking Bread for solo viola

JESSIE MONTGOMERY Peace for clarinet and harp

ALLISON LOGGINS-HULL Stolen for solo cello

GABRIELA ORTIZ Atlas-Pumas for violin and marimba

1. Primer Tiempo: Vivo, energico e molto ritmico

2. Medio Tiempo: Leggiero con fantasia

3. Segundo Tiempo: Vivo, energico e molto ritmico

SHAWN OKPEBHOLO There is Always Light for clarinet, bassoon and marimba

JEFF SCOTT The Idle Mind for solo horn

JOSEPH HALLMAN Concerto for B-flat/E-flat clarinet, violin, viola, cello, bassoon, horn, harp & percussion*

1. Berthaleigh

2. Sirius: Cliquant

3. Starry Eyed: Oculus

4. Wishi

5. Yana

6. Shema

* world premiere