Hugh McCarthy

Hugh Mc Carthy is a Senior Lecturer at MTU Cork School of Music, where his work spans music technology, inclusive music practice, artistic research, performance, programme development and academic leadership. He holds master’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Technology and has extensive experience in undergraduate, postgraduate and research education.

He is the founder of MTU’s Music and Technology master’s programme and co-founder & coordinator of the Inclusive Music Ensemble, an educational, artistic and research initiative bringing together musicians with diverse backgrounds, experiences and abilities. His work in inclusive education has involved sustained collaboration across music, creative arts, disability services, education, engineering and technology, as well as partnerships with community and cultural organisations. He supervises post-doctoral, doctoral, master’s by research and taught master’s research projects.

His research and creative practice explore inclusive music-making, accessibility, music technology, spatial and immersive audio, extended reality, digital cultural heritage, co-creation and human-centred approaches to creative technology. He is an active cellist, music technologist, producer and collaborative artist, with experience encompassing solo, chamber and orchestral performance, electronic composition, recording, film, interdisciplinary practice and commercially released music. His work with the Inclusive Music Ensemble combines accessible technologies, flexible co-creative processes, collaborative authorship, performance and recording.

Hugh also has extensive experience in arts leadership, event production and public engagement. He served as Event Manager and Company Director of Cork Orchestral Society, managing approximately 250 concerts and cultural events over thirteen years. His experience also includes national festival production, international youth-orchestra tours, conference and symposium management, and the development of digital platforms for sharing and streaming artistic work.

Across his teaching, research and creative practice, Hugh seeks to expand participation in music, arts and culture through accessible, collaborative and technologically supported approaches. His work connects academic research with artistic practice, education, community engagement and cultural-sector innovation.