From an early age all Enniskillen lad Steve Irvine wanted to do was to play music. Today, Steve is a professional musician and is the tuba player with the Ulster Orchestra.
Steve, who has been a member of the Orchestra since July 2006, says he counts himself very lucky to get paid doing something that he loves every day.
From the age of eight years of age Steve has been playing music. Then a pupil at what is now Holy Trinity Primary School, Steve initially started playing the coronet. A short time later he moved to the trombone and then, working with tutor Bob Quick he started playing the Tuba from about the age of ten.
Steve played, and studied music, throughout his school career achieving Grade 8 from the Royal College of Music as well as taking GCSE and A-Levels in Music. During his time at St Michael's College he was a member of the school's brass band.
When he finished school Steve wanted to pursue music and he applied to study at the Royal College of Music in London. Steve describes the Royal College of Music as a 'performance based college' and he explains that before you get accepted you have to audition.
After studying for four years on his undergraduate degree Steve then went on to complete two post-graduate degrees finishing in 2002. Steve says that most of the people who study at the Royal College hope to make their professional lives as musicians.
Shortly after graduating Steve saw a tuba player position advertised with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra. After several auditions he got the job and he stayed with this orchestra for three years.
"It was a very international orchestra made up of Eastern European, Spanish and American musicians" says Steve talking about the orchestra which is based in Santa Cruz on the Canary Island.
"I lived there for most of the year and we performed a concert every Friday night. The orchestra would tour the Canary Islands and we also toured around Spain, Germany and other European countries. Touring was the best part of it."
In 2005, Steve heard the Ulster Orchestra were looking for a tuba player and he auditioned, and was interviewed, as a possible new member of the orchestra.
After successfully getting through the interview and audition he was put on trial for eight months, and during this time the number of candidates for the position was whittled down to ten and then whittled down further until only Steve remained - there was just one position to be filled. During the time he was on trial Steve still played with the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.
Talking about life as a member of the Ulster Orchestra explains there are sixty-three members of the orchestra with only one tuba player and one harp.
"There are only five members of the Orchestra from Northern Ireland. A number come from England, Scotland and there are a few Australians in it too," comments Steve.
Steve says there are a number of rehearsals during the week but whether the orchestra is rehearsing or not he still practices up to an hour each day himself. "You have to keep your lips in shape" he says.
The Ulster Orchestra usually performs in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast but Steve says he actually prefers the Orchestra's former home - the Ulster Hall - as he says the acoustics are much better in there.
In addition to playing with the Ulster Orchestra Steve is one of five members of the Ulster Brass Quintet and performs around Ireland in this capacity as well as with the full orchestra. Talking about life as a professional musician Steve says, "It is something I have always wanted to do. I count myself lucky to be getting for something I love doing, and have wanted to do since 10 years of age."
Steve is now based in Belfast but his family still live in Silverhill in Enniskillen.
