Waltons World
Masters Series
Waltons New School of Music
Bringing to Ireland some of the world’s most
extraordinary musicians and performing groups.
About the Waltons World Masters Series
When I began working on the Waltons World Masters Series in 2003, I saw it as a natural extension of what we were doing at Waltons New School of Music. From the time the New School was founded in 1994, its ethos has been to treat different music genres as equals and to recognise that each has something vital to offer.
As a ‘classically’ trained musician, I have learned to appreciate Western art music’s myriad forms and long history, and I understand that the classical tradition provides musicians with unrivalled technical and theoretical training. However, I also recognise its limitations. For example, while improvisation was an essential element of music-making until the late eighteenth century, it is no longer an important aspect of that tradition. Jazz and blues, both of which have strong improvisational elements, are younger forms (although with ancient roots) that have a great deal to teach the classical musician, particularly the art and craft of stepping away from written music and creating it ‘in the moment’. Similarly, ‘playing by ear’ – that is, learning, understanding, repeating and varying music without any reference to notation – is not only essential to the Irish music tradition but to music traditions all over the world.
Diverse approaches to music-making in turn create wonderfully diverse forms of music, and my goal for the World Masters Series has been to bring a range of extraordinary musicians and performing groups, from different traditions, to Ireland – many of them for the first time. While some of these artists were not known in this country, I was convinced that in time the reputation of the Series would give audiences the confidence to ‘try out’ artists, genres and traditions not known to them, and this is indeed what has happened. People are coming back for more because they know that whatever we present, it will be something special.
The World Masters Series is run on a non-profit basis and depends for its survival on a kind of unwritten ‘contract’ with its audiences. On the one hand, we work hard to present exceptional artists and performances. And on the other, you support the Series by purchasing tickets, attending concerts and, if you like what we do, spreading the word about us.
Thank you for your support over the last nineteen years.
John Mardirosian, Director
Waltons World Masters Series
Waltons New School of Music
Waltons World Masters Series Mission
- To bring world-renowned musicians and performing groups to Ireland, many for the first time.
- To inform, educate and entertain the public with the diverse cultures, traditions and contemporary expressions of creative music.
- To support, by presenting each concert at a range of ticket prices, as well as free or subsidised educational events, attendance by those sections of the community who may otherwise be excluded.
- To enhance the educational experience, whenever possible, with workshops, masterclasses, public interviews and/or concerts for schools.
Upcoming Events
Soweto Gospel Choir • 12 November 2024
Subscribe to our mailing list (see Mailing List tab on this page) and be the first to hear about other upcoming World Masters Series events.
Past Artists • Groups
Tigran Hamasyan + Special Guests • 22 January 2019
Tigran Hamasyan – Solo • 7 April 2017
Anoushka Shankar • 12 October 2016
The Hot Sardines • 8 June 2016
Tigran Hamasyan – Luys i Luso • 17 October 2015
Camerata Flamenco Project • 7 December 2014
Hugh Masekela • 21 October 2014
Toumani & Sidiki Diabaté • 7 June 2014
The Blind Boys of Alabama • 21 May 2014
Tigran Hamasyan Trio • 2 May 2014
Soweto Gospel Choir • 18 November 2013
Branford Marsalis Quartet • 3 July 2013
Bobby McFerrin Meets Ireland • 6 & 7 March 2013
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars • 23 January 2013
Mavis Staples • 3 November 2012
Juan de Marcos & The Afro-Cuban All Stars • 28 May 2012
Tigran Hamasyan – Solo • 24 January 2012
Béla Fleck Masterclass • 14 January 2012
Jan Garbarek & The Hilliard Ensemble • 22 October 2011
Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers • 3 October 2011
Ladysmith Black Mambazo • 22 June 2011
Juan Martín Flamenco Dance Ensemble • 2 April 2011
The Blind Boys of Alabama • 31 January 2011
Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion • 18 June 2009
Jean-Luc Ponty Quartet • 12 March 2009
Habib Koité and Bamada • 18 February 2009
Bobby McFerrin – Solo • 26 May 2008
Dee Dee Bridgewater • 7 May 2008
Spanish Harlem Orchestra • 12 April 2008
Soweto Gospel Choir • 10 March 2008
Preservation Hall Jazz Band • 30 May 2007
Branford Marsalis Quartet • 1 March 2007
Buena Vista Social Club • 24 October 2006
McCoy Tyner Septet • 6 July 2006
Dianne Reeves – Strings Attached • 22 April 2005
Bobby McFerrin – Solo • 5 July 2005
Wayne Shorter Quartet • 3 March 2005
Dianne Reeves Quartet • 1 April 2004
Juan Martín – Arte Flamenco Puro • 18 June 2003
Discounts for Students of Waltons New School of Music
Currently-enrolled New School students (and parents of students) can receive 20% discounts when booking tickets (up to four) for any Waltons World Masters Series concert. To avail of this discount, please contact us with the subject/day/time of your (or your child’s) lesson or course, and the concert that you would like to attend. We will send you a discount code, which you should then provide when booking online, by phone or in person.
Discounts for Waltons World Masters Mailing List Subscribers
World Masters mailing list subscribers* can receive 10% discounts when booking tickets (up to four) for any Waltons World Masters Series concert, in addition to being entered in regular draws for top-price concert tickets. To avail of this discount, please contact us, providing the email address you subscribed with and letting us know what concert you would like to attend. We will send you a discount code, which you should then provide when booking online, by phone or in person.
* You must be subscribed to our mailing list for at least 30 days to avail of this discount.
Mailing List
Subscribe to the Waltons World Masters mailing list and be the first to hear about our upcoming events. World Masters mailing list subscribers also receive 10% discounts when booking tickets (up to four) for any Waltons World Masters Series concert, in addition to being entered in regular draws for top-price concert tickets.
You can unsubscribe from the mailing list at any time by clicking on the Manage Your Subscription link at the bottom of every newsletter. We take your privacy seriously and will not share your email address with anyone else. See our Privacy Policy for more information.
Waltons World Masters Series Feedback
If you have attended a Waltons World Masters Series concert or other event, we would appreciate your feedback about it. Feel free to answer as many or few of the questions as you like.
World Masters Series Facebook Page
World Masters Series YouTube Channel