New RTE director of music named in shake-up at station

RTE has announced the appointment of Mr Niall Doyle (37) to the newly-created position of director of music. The post, which replaces that of head of music, radically redraws the position of the music-performing groups within RTE.

Previously, the station's music activities were maintained within the radio division, and the head of music reported to the director of radio. In a move which acknowledges more openly the independent, non-broadcasting function of RTE's music groups, the new director of music will report directly to the director-general.

This development has been implemented following a report by a ministerial review body, PIANO, chaired by the pianist John O'Conor. The PIANO report was highly critical of RTE's management of its music groups and actually recommended the establishment of the National Symphony Orchestra as an independent, statutory body.

The station's most recently declared intention is to create a wholly-owned subsidiary embracing all its music-performing groups. This is being resisted by members of the NSO, who have argued that their unique role as a national orchestra calls for a different solution.

Mr Doyle trained as a primary school teacher before becoming a freelance tuba player and concert promoter. He has played in both RTE orchestras, was a founder member of the Prelude Brass Ensemble, and worked for a period with Australia's Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Brass Ensemble. He is currently a member of the board of the National Concert Hall.

He comes to RTE from the music development organisation, Music Network. In his six years as chief executive there, he broadened the organisation from a body with one employee and a turnover of £90,000 to one with a team of 10 and, with the assistance of major sponsorship from the ESB, a turnover of some £500,000.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Doyle said the potential of RTE's performing groups was "at an all-time high".

"I am delighted to be taking up the challenge of leading the music department in RTE at such an exciting time. I look forward to maintaining strong personal links with Music Network, and to the development of a strong and fruitful partnership between RTE music and Music Network in a number of areas over the coming years."