For the Record – Laoise O’Brien

Laoise O’Brien has spent the past twenty years championing an instrument often unfairly perceived as an instrument of torture. The particular sonority of a mass of small plastic recorders has left an unfortunate legacy on an instrument once known as the ‘sweet flute’. Join Laoise as she embarks on an interactive journey to tell the story of the recorder’s development during the ages. Part historical account, part personal voyage, Laoise will introduce you to the various sizes and styles of recorder, the vast amount of repertoire spanning nine centuries, and the many different uses for which the instrument was employed.

Laoise O’Brien is an award-winning musician with twenty years professional performance experience. During this time, she has managed, produced and delivered multiple performances, tours, festivals and events, and has appeared as a soloist and guest musician with numerous ensembles.

Since 2011 she has been active as a music producer, producing first her own albums, then large-scale projects involving diverse genres and large forces. In addition to her performing career, Laoise runs a production company, Jiggery Pokery Productions, with record-ing engineer, Ben Rawlins. She holds a lecturing position at the TU Dublin Conservatoire.