Principal Flute
Emer McDonough is the Principal Flute of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), Britten Sinfonia and is also the flute player for the Haffner Wind Ensemble. She was previously Principal Flute of the Bournemouth Symphony (BSO) and Hong Kong Philharmonic (HKPO) orchestras.
Emer has performed, recorded and toured extensively with these and many other orchestras including the Opéra National de Lyon, Hallé, London Philharmonic, London Symphony, English National Opera, Royal Opera House, Philharmonia, BBC Symphony, Royal Scottish National, City of Birmingham Symphony and Bergen Philharmonic orchestras, amongst many others.
Her solo work has included the British premiere of Christopher Rouse's Flute Concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and concertos with Britten Sinfonia, RPO, BSO, HKPO and National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.
Emer is a professor at the Royal College of Music and has also given masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music &Drama, Royal Irish Academy of Music and Oxford Flute Summer School.
Born and raised in Dublin, Emer received her education through the Irish language and studied flute, recorder and piano at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. At the age of eighteen, she left Ireland to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Emer plays on an Altus PS flute and is an Altus Artist.
Emer gratefully acknowledges the support of her Chair Patrons, Elio and Maria Leon-Sceti.