Music Director’s Profile Donal Bannister

Donal Bannister grew up in Dublin and comes from a prominent musical family of that city. He was initially taught Euphonium by his Grandfather, switched to Trombone at 14 and soon became principal Trombone of the Irish National Youth Orchestra. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin, where he won a full academic scholarship, and was also a Fulbright scholar to the Eastman School of Music, New York. On returning from Eastman, he resumed academic work at TCD researching some of Haydn's music of the 1760's/70's.

In 1987 he joined the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as sub principal Trombone, and spent nearly 20 years with the BSO. Whilst there, he developed a varied freelance career, and has appeared as a guest with many of Britain's finest orchestras, as well as the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble, Germany.

In 2007 he was appointed principal Trombone of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, with which he has several times appeared as soloist, and also joined the faculty of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. 

He has had a keen interest in conducting since his student days, using it particularly to explore 18th Century music. Whilst in the BSO he conducted the Dorset County Orchestra, and was director of the Shaftesbury Orchestra for several years, considerably expanding that ensemble's repertoire. In 2010 he was guest conductor of the Mid Somerset Orchestra for it's summer concert.

A personal note from Donal on being appointed RSO's Music Director:

"I am delighted to be appointed Music Director of the Rhondda Symphony Orchestra. It is a fine ensemble, with the potential to develop further and provide an invaluable service for performers and listeners alike in the Valleys and wider South Wales area. I consider it a privilege to earn my living from music, and I hope that with the RSO I can share some of the joy that music can bring to us all."