Born in Dublin, Ross McDonnell is an orchestral trombonist, who is currently studying with Katy Jones and Gary MacPhee in the RNCM. He began his life in music at a later date than most, only having his first formal trombone lesson in the RIAM in Dublin shortly after his 15th birthday, after beginning his playing with the Belvedere College Wind Band programme.

In the following years, he enjoyed some courses with NYO Ireland, an organisation which opened the doors to his life in music and with which he is proud to work with as a staff member. After moving to Manchester to study music full-time, Ross has balanced a passion in solo performance with ensemble and chamber music interests, after winning the Feis Ceoil Senior Brass contest and the Trinity Orchestra soloist competition.

Ross is the co-founder of Vox Amicum Brass and the Impulse Ensemble, and composes and arranges regularly for both, being supported by the Arts Council. Orchestral music continues to be the main focus of his career, with experience playing with the NSO in Dublin as well as the orchestral experience schemes in the RNCM for the Hallé, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Ross was also the principal trombone of the Esker Festival Orchestra since 2022 and will be performing with the prestigious Deutsch-Skandinavische Jugend-Philharmonie in their season concert in the Berlin Philharmonie.

Away from the trombone, Ross loves running, reading, and speaking his native Irish.

Ross will continue to develop his abilities in Manchester as he completes his degree in the RNCM, and continues producing and performing with Vox Amicum Brass. In the future, he hopes to combine his love of performance, chamber music and media production in a professional setting.

With thanks to the John Fewkes Instrumentalist Scholarship.