Chairman

“The RPS has a crucial role to play in securing the future of classical music in this country, as an advocate and champion for musicians and the music industry, especially at a time when public funding for the arts will be under some considerable pressure. If you share our vision for music please support the Society as we head towards our bicentenary.”

Irish-born John Gilhooly became Artistic and Executive Director of Wigmore Hall aged 32 in early 2005, making him the youngest leader of any of the world’s great concert halls. He had been Executive Director of Wigmore Hall since 2000, and is credited with having overseen the financial and administrative transformation of the Hall. His tenure as Artistic Director has seen record box office returns and its highest ever membership levels, as well as a 50% increase in overall revenue and annual fundraising. His tenure has coincided with two successful capital appeals to the tune of £7m. In 2004 he managed the refurbishment of the Hall and in 2006 he led the acquisition of a 250 year lease for Wigmore Hall. John Gilhooly also established the Hall’s highly regarded CD label ‘Wigmore Hall Live’, and introduced an ambitious new music and commissioning scheme, expanding Wigmore Hall’s programming to both traditional and new directions. He is a native of Limerick, which boasts a strong chamber music and opera tradition. He read History and Political Science at University College, Dublin, graduating in 1994. In addition to his academic studies, he pursued classical vocal studies, as a tenor, at the Dublin City College of Music and the Leinster School of Music, under the renowned soprano and teacher Dr. Veronica Dunne.

Following a period as a tutor in the Department of Modern History and as an administrator at University College, Dublin’s O’Reilly Hall – an 800-seat concert and events venue – John Gilhooly moved to work at Harrogate International Centre and then ExCeL, The London International Centre, a £300million venue situated on the Royal Victoria Dock.

John Gilhooly is Patron of the performing arts organisation Irish Heritage and is Trustee of The Opera Group. As Artistic Director of Wigmore Hall, he programmes the largest chamber music and song series in the world.