Featuring our 25/26 Young Artist Charlie Shortt and celebrating International Women’s Day with music by some of our closest collaborators.
Hard Rain are proud to present this recital in partnership with Ulster Youth Orchestra. Here our 25/26 Featured Young Artist Charlie Shortt will perform both as a soloist and within the ensemble.
Charlie, from Portadown, began studying percussion at the age of eight. He is currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London as an ABRSM Scholar. Charlie has performed with many ensembles across the UK and has held leadership roles as Section Leader of the Ulster Youth Orchestra and Joint Principal Percussionist of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. In addition to his orchestral work, he was runner-up in the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year 2025 and was shortlisted for BBC Young Musician 2024. Charlie is delighted to be performing with Hard Rain Ensemble, collaborating with inspiring musicians to explore exciting new music.
Our second half represents our annual celebration of International Women’s Day and features some of our closest collaborators. With composers from the North, South and West of Ireland, and born some 50 years apart, this programme presents multiple premieres while spanning generations and the geography of our island.