The National Symphony Orchestra has been at the centre of Ireland’s cultural life since 1948 when the Raidió Éireann Symphony Orchestra, as it was originally called, was founded. In January 2022, the orchestra transferred from RTÉ to the remit of the National Concert Hall, where it performs in excess of 70 concerts per annum including approximately 30 subscription season symphonic concerts (September through May). Resident orchestra at the National Concert Hall since its opening in 1981, today it is a primary force in Irish musical life through year-long programmes of live performances of music ranging from symphonic, choral and operatic to music of the stage and screen, popular and traditional music, new commissions, recordings, broadcasts on RTÉ and internationally through the European Broadcasting Union as well as educational projects and a mentoring scheme for young musicians. In October 2019 it entered an exciting new era when Jaime Martín made his debut in concert as the orchestra’s new Chief Conductor.