The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland (NYOI) is calling for expressions of interest to join our board of directors.
Ireland’s leading youth ensemble, the NYOI stands at the pinnacle of orchestral playing for young musicians across the island of Ireland. Championing full symphonic repertoire, the orchestra offers residencies, performance tours, masterclasses, and orchestral training of the highest calibre.
Our mission is to nurture young orchestral musicians, enabling them to reach their full potential by providing exceptional education and performance opportunities in the full symphonic repertoire. If this resonates with you, and you have the skills to contribute to the governance of the organisation please get in touch.
We are seeking directors with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas, especially but not exclusively in an organisation with responsibility for music and the arts:
- Fundraising & Resource Development
- Communications
- Governance & Strategic Leadership
We are actively seeking new perspectives so that our board better reflects the richness and diversity of Irish society. We are also cognisant of gender balance on our board: currently five of the seven sitting board members are men, so we especially welcome applications from women and non-binary people. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who come from backgrounds and communities that are traditionally underrepresented in the music sector.
Board appointments will be based on skills and experience, and should the open call process not yield candidates with the required skills and experience, the organisation reserves the right to make direct appointments of appropriately qualified individuals. Current board members can also nominate a candidate for election.
Functions of the board & duties of directors
The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland is a charity (CHY number: CHY6501) and a company limited by guarantee (Company number: 97049). It is governed by a voluntary board of directors, serving both as company directors and charity trustees.
Directors should understand the legal duties of the role, as explained by the Charities Regulator and the Arts Council’s Practical Guide for Board Members of Arts Organisations.
Directors are responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and for ensuring the highest standards of governance are upheld, in accordance with the Charities Governance Code. They are responsible for the financial sustainability of the organisation and should support the fundraising function of the organisation – this may be through joining a subcommittee, making introductions, championing the organisation’s work to relevant contacts or by recruiting new donors.
Experience in the carrying out of any or all of these duties would be welcome.
Time commitment
Approximately 6 board meetings per annum (2.5 hours duration) with time required for preparatory reading, and additional time commitments depending on membership of sub-committees. Board members may be asked to represent the Board at certain events, depending on their availability and interests. Board members are also expected to make all reasonable effort to attend performances of the Orchestra.
Applications and enquiries
All correspondence can be sent by email to the chair of the board, Thomas Boland (via Anna Rosa Mari, CEO), at ceo@nyoi.ie no later than 5pm on Friday 28th March 2025.
Your expression of interest should include a short cover email which clearly specifies why you are interested in joining the board of The National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and how your background and experience meets the requirements of the organisation as detailed above, as well as a summary of your experience or a CV. Applications can also be sent in video format if this is preferable.
Selection process
All applications received will be reviewed and may be shortlisted for online or phone interviews. Submissions will be considered by the board, and those selected will be recommended for consideration as board members.
Confidentiality
Applications will be treated in strict confidence. All enquiries, applications and all aspects of the proceedings will be treated as strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone outside those directly involved in the process.
Current Board Composition
Our current Board of Directors can be viewed here.
