Orchestral Studies

David Agnew

Assistant Lecturer in Oboe and Recorder

David Agnew is one of Ireland’s most versatile and sought-after oboists, equally at home on stage, in the recording studio, and in the classroom.

Born in Dublin, his early musical studies included piano, recorder and guitar, before discovering the oboe at the age of seventeen—a decision that would shape his life’s direction.

Supported by Arts Council scholarships, David pursued advanced studies with two of the world’s leading oboists, Heinz Holliger and Maurice Bourgue, at masterclasses in London and Avignon. He went on to win the Principal Prize at the College of Music, Dublin, and completed his Licentiate diploma (L.T.C.L.) from Trinity College London in 1981.

Alongside his musical development, David maintained a parallel academic path, earning a B.Sc. (Hons.) and M.Sc. in Botany from University College Dublin. He joined the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in 1982, where he performed for four decades on oboe and cor anglais, touring extensively across Europe, Asia, and North America before retiring from full-time performance in 2022.

As a recording artist, David has released seven solo albums and collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians, from classical icons such as Pavarotti and James Galway, to major Irish and international artists including The Chieftains, Riverdance, Rod Stewart, R.E.M., and Pink Martini.

Deeply committed to the wider music community, David serves as Vice-President of the Musicians Union of Ireland and sits on the Advisory Board of the Choral Scholars of UCD. He is also editor of Sound Post, the MUI’s online magazine, and has lectured for two decades on career development in music.

David has taught oboe and recorder at TU Dublin Conservatoire since 2005, where he brings a wealth of performance experience and a deep understanding of diverse musical traditions.

In 2022, he began a part-time PhD in Music Education under the supervision of Dr Helen Lawlor, exploring the learning pathways of professional musicians across traditional, popular, and classical genres.