Matt Rafter

mattrafter1@gmail.com

I’m a musician with experience across multiple areas including live performance, recording, music education, talent recruitment, and event production. I primarily work as a cellist, though have worked as a guitarist, pianist and backing vocalist as required.

I am currently Producer/Concerts Manager with Crash Ensemble. I am also Musical Director of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra, and cellist of both Vltava String Quartet and Belenus String Quartet. I also sit on the board of Ranelagh Arts.

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Founding and current member of the Vltava String Quartet.

Diploma in Cello Performance from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.

Toured nationally with the Téada Trio, culminating in concerts in Ireland’s National Concert Hall.

Array of orchestral experience including Sinfonua, Camerata Ireland, Trinity Orchestra, Esker Festival Orchestra, County Kildare Orchestra and Téada Orchestra.

Toured as part of rock act Hozier in 2013–14.

Further live and recording work: Kodaline, The Riptide Movement, Come on Live Long, Heathers, Amanda Palmer, Wyvern Lingo, Heroes in Hiding, Nella, Tandem Felix, Rachael Lavelle.

Toured nationally and to the UK with Macalla 1916, under composer Michael Rooney.

Performed with the Clare Memory Orchestra in 2015.

Featured on the recording of The Bonny Men’s most recent album.

Twice performed premieres of new trad/classical crossover compositions by Tim Doyle.

Produced tailored musical arrangements for a variety of clients, including The Caseys, MarieAnn O’Dwyer, Maynooth Post-Primary, Roscommon ETB, and many more.

Regularly arranges popular, classical, traditional and film music for Vltava String Quartet.

Orchestral arrangements have been performed by the Trinity Orchestra and the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra.

  • Emma O’Reilly Purge EP
  • Tandem Felix Popcorn EP
  • Heroes in Hiding Can’t Dance
  • Hozier From Eden
  • Hozier Whole Lotta Love
  • Come On Live Long Trough
  • Jervis Centre 2014 Christmas Ad
  • Kodaline iTunes Session
  • Irish National Lottery 2015 Ad Campaign
  • Faith and Rectitude (Short film) Soundtrack
  • Bonsoir Luna (Short film/musical) Soundtrack
  • Rachael Lavelle Superman EP
  • Slow Skies Winter Night
  • Three Ireland The Girl and the Cloud 2016 Christmas Ad
  • Institute of Creative Advertising and Design Awards Theme
  • David Brennan Run Away
  • Tajzanna Could Have Been Gods
  • The Hill of Tunes Tim Doyle/Vincent Kennedy
  • Glór na nAingeal Angela O’Floinn

Founding and current member of the Vltava String Quartet.

Diploma in Cello Performance from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music.

Toured nationally with the Téada Trio, culminating in concerts in Ireland’s National Concert Hall.

Array of orchestral experience including Sinfonua, Camerata Ireland, Trinity Orchestra, Esker Festival Orchestra, County Kildare Orchestra and Téada Orchestra.

Toured as part of rock act Hozier in 2013–14.

Further live and recording work: Kodaline, The Riptide Movement, Come on Live Long, Heathers, Amanda Palmer, Wyvern Lingo, Heroes in Hiding, Nella, Tandem Felix, Rachael Lavelle.

Toured nationally and to the UK with Macalla 1916, under composer Michael Rooney.

Performed with the Clare Memory Orchestra in 2015.

Featured on the recording of The Bonny Men’s most recent album.

Twice performed premieres of new trad/classical crossover compositions by Tim Doyle.

Produced tailored musical arrangements for a variety of clients, including The Caseys, MarieAnn O’Dwyer, Maynooth Post-Primary, Roscommon ETB, and many more.

Regularly arranges popular, classical, traditional and film music for Vltava String Quartet.

Orchestral arrangements have been performed by the Trinity Orchestra and the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra.

  • Emma O’Reilly Purge EP
  • Tandem Felix Popcorn EP
  • Heroes in Hiding Can’t Dance
  • Hozier From Eden
  • Hozier Whole Lotta Love
  • Come On Live Long Trough
  • Jervis Centre 2014 Christmas Ad
  • Kodaline iTunes Session
  • Irish National Lottery 2015 Ad Campaign
  • Faith and Rectitude (Short film) Soundtrack
  • Bonsoir Luna (Short film/musical) Soundtrack
  • Rachael Lavelle Superman EP
  • Slow Skies Winter Night
  • Three Ireland The Girl and the Cloud 2016 Christmas Ad
  • Institute of Creative Advertising and Design Awards Theme
  • David Brennan Run Away
  • Tajzanna Could Have Been Gods
  • The Hill of Tunes Tim Doyle/Vincent Kennedy
  • Glór na nAingeal Angela O’Floinn

Riverbank Arts Centre

Regional Arts Centre presenting and producing art across Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Dance and more, as well as outreach and education programmes. Programme Assistant 2021–Present.

Proship Entertainment

Agency for musicians, booking contracts on major international cruise lines and other venues out of Montréal, Canada. Booking Agent & Recruiter 2019–20.

Téada Orchestra

Dublin-based string orchestra, specialising in contemporary and traditional genres.Co-founded in 2013; Musical Director 2013–14; Treasurer 2014–15.

Music Generation

Ireland's national music education programme. Strings Teacher 2015–18; Developed South Dublin after-school orchestra programme 2018. Administrator Cork City 2020–21.

Riverbank Arts Centre

Regional Arts Centre presenting and producing art across Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Dance and more, as well as outreach and education programmes. Programme Assistant 2021–Present.

Proship Entertainment

Agency for musicians, booking contracts on major international cruise lines and other venues out of Montréal, Canada. Booking Agent & Recruiter 2019–20.

Music Generation

Strings Teacher 2015–18; Developed South Dublin after-school orchestra programme 2018; Administrator Cork City 2020–21.

Téada Orchestra

Dublin-based string orchestra, specialising in contemporary and traditional genres.
Co-founded in 2013; Musical Director 2013–14; Treasurer 2014–15.

Get in contact

mattrafter1@gmail.com