Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble is a world-class group of musicians based in Northern Ireland, specialising in the performance of modern and contemporary repertoire.

Founded by composer Dr. Greg Caffrey and having recently celebrated a decade of performing together, Hard Rain have given multiple premieres and developed a dedicated following for new music in their home city of Belfast. The ensemble features on several successful recordings, including Up By the Roots on the Delphian label and their debut double CD A Terrible Beauty on Diatribe. A former Guardian pick of the week with works by eleven Irish composers 

In addition to their well-established Concert Season at home, and having performed at festivals around Ireland such as New Music Dublin, Sonorities Festival, Walled City Music, Tempered Music Festival, Belfast International Festival and Crescent Festival of Irish Contemporary Music, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble have performed further afield at Musicahora Festival in Chile, Nieuwe Noten concert series in Amsterdam and Birmingham Conservatoire, regularly giving workshops and masterclasses in addition to their highly acclaimed performances.

As Ensemble in Residence at Queen's University Belfast, Hard Rain are dedicated Industry Professionals and work closely with students throughout various stages of their development, stimulating and encouraging the next wave of composition, performance and sound engineering professionals. They enjoy performing in two of the finest venues in the city; the Harty Room and the Sonic Lab at SARC, where they are based. As such, they are able to explore the full spectrum of acoustic and electronic music which is reflected in their programming and they are excited to collaborate with fellow creatives at QUB.

They are currently working alongside composers at SARC in developing a unique programme based on environmental sound worlds of Irish forests, rivers and peatland and are excited to explore further research-based pieces and projects.

Hard Rain’s mission is to give a platform and visibility to the vibrant community of local composers, performing their work alongside the music of leading exponents of contemporary music worldwide. Through extensive commissioning (around 75 pieces to date!) and programming of cutting-edge contemporary music, Hard Rain gives audiences access to music and composers’ voices that would otherwise not be heard. The group’s activities serve as a showcase for the talent of highly specialist performers, inspiring and developing the next generation of composers, musicians and audiences through innovation, ideas and enthusiasm.

Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble core musicians are: Aisling Agnew (Flute), Sarah Watts (Clarinet), Joanne Quigley McParland (Violin), David McCann (Cello), Daniel Browell (Piano) and Sinead Hayes (Conductor), all of whom make the performance of contemporary music a central aspect of their creative lives.

The ensemble’s repertoire ranges from virtuosic solo works to chamber, electronic and contemporary opera and they frequently explore cross collaboration with other artistic organisations. Having performed the most important works of the last century across Northern Ireland, some highlights include their recent staged performance of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire with mezzo soprano Sarah Richmond, Steve Reich's Double Sextet performed with Maiden Voyage Dance, the world premiere of Piers Hellawell's Ground Truthing on tour in UK & Ireland, 'Drawing on Feldman' at Belfast School of Art and collaborations with Drake Music, incorporating the development of VR instruments.

With several international engagements in Europe and beyond throughout the 24/25 season, Hard Rain look forward to showcasing some of the finest local creative talent abroad. They are passionate about bringing Irish music to wider audiences and sharing our extensive repertoire on a worldwide platform. Hard Rain are looking forward to collaborations with other European ensembles, such as Hashtag Ensemble in Warsaw throughout 2025, and excited to explore the possibilities of meaningful exchange and co-curation with other ensembles worldwide.