The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) is one of Ireland's primary youth orchestras. Based at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in County Louth, the CBOI maintains a membership of 160 young musicians between the ages of 12 and 24 years from both sides of the border.[1]
The CBOI was established in 1995 shortly after the implementation of the Peace Process and is recognised internationally as one of Ireland's flagship peace initiatives.[1]
The CBOI tours regularly to Europe and America and has sold out such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, in New York and Chicago's Symphony Hall. In April 2008 the Orchestra performed at the 500th Anniversary of the Flight of the Earls in Rome. In October 2009, the orchestra traveled to New York and Washington to play at the Lincoln Center and at Fairfields Cross Cultural Youth Festival.[1][2]
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) was established in 1995 as a means of bringing young people together from different backgrounds and communities, through the powerful medium of music.
The ultimate vision was to create a cross culture and cross community link between catholic and protestant school children throughout Ireland, and to educate children about commitment, tolerance and friendship through the medium of music.
The Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland is one of Ireland’s flagship peace initiatives and has become the most acclaimed youth orchestra that Ireland has ever produced. With the continued success of the orchestra and the school choir program, the lives of children in the border counties and throughout Ireland, as well as the school children that have performed with the orchestra at world renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall and Chicago Symphony Hall will forever be changed.
————————————————————————–