Tullamore musician composes TV show theme tune
A composer who lives in Tullamore has been named as the winner of a contest to write new signature music for RTÉ One’sflagship daytime TV programme The Today Show.
John Byrne, a musician, composer and arranger originally from Navan defeated almost 200 other entries.
John has worked with artists including Bob Geldof, Billy Ocean, The Commitments, Curtis Stigers, Brian Kennedy and Mary Black, has played venues including The 3Arena and the London Palladium and has worked as score supervisor on films including Albert Nobbs, Black ’47 and Room.
He comes from a musical family, with all six siblings and both parents playing music from a very young age. (His brother Brian Byrne has also worked extensively with the RTE CO.) With gigs and touring on hold, he has spent the Covid lockdowns at home in Tullamore, working on his own compositions – but says this is the first time he has ever won anything!
Today is heading into its 10th season on air in September and to mark this it teamed up with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to find new signature music.
The competition, open to musicians living in Ireland, drew a very strong response with entries ranging from classical to contemporary to traditional. The winning entry was selected via an anonymous process and John wins €3,000 and a share of the royalties.
His new signature music is being recorded by the RTÉ CO this week, with multi-instrumentalist John himself joining the orchestra to play whistles for the recording.
Daithí Ó Sé, presenter of Today along with Maura Derrane and Sinead Kennedy congratulated John Byrne: "It’s great to have been able to join forces with our colleagues in the RTÉ CO, create an opportunity for talent to flourish and celebrate our 10th season with a fresh new sound."
Head of RTÉ Cork and editor of Today Colm Crowley commented: "The Today Show team are delighted to partner with the RTÉ CO and John Byrne for this new signature theme tune which will become very familiar to The Today Show’s 180,000 viewers each day. We are thrilled with the composition's new fresh modern Irish feel, blending beautifully with traditional influences, to capture the spirit of the show. It’s a great privilege to be able to support original Irish music in this way."
Joe Csibi, General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, commented: "When we announced this competition, we said we were looking for a bright, upbeat and contemporary theme with a strong hook, that felt recognisably Irish. John Byrne has delivered on all these in some style, taking full advantage of the musical potential of the RTE Concert Orchestra, joined here by a traditional ensemble. We’re looking forward to hearing it on air in the autumn!"