Irvine was a member of the Hannaford Street Silver Band with whom he performed, composed, and recorded for more than 20 years.[citation needed] He played the tuba music featured on the children's television program The Elephant Show.[citation needed]
Irvine has been the principal tubist for the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra since 1984[4] and currently holds the same post with the Esprit Orchestra. In 1997, he co-founded True North Brass[5] with whom he has released four CDs, all of which feature some of his own compositions.[citation needed]
In 2002, Irvine performed a joint concert with the Canadian Horn Quartet, billing himself as the Tuba Tyrant.[6] The following year the Canadian Opera Company orchestra premiered his work "The Opera House Fanfare".[7]
Irvine performed as part of the Champagne Symphony Pops Orchestra in the "King of Swing" concert at Roy Thomson Hall in 2006.[8] In 2009 he played the tuba with the New Music Concerts Ensemble in Toronto.[9]
In 2010, an album or recordings from the 1990s, Spoiled Bratland, with Irvine on tuba, was released by Mendelson Joe.[10]
In 2015, Irvine performed with the Canadian National Brass Project as part of the Ottawa Chamberfest.[11] In April 2017, he hosted an edition of the CBC Radio 2 show This is My Music.[citation needed]
Family life
Irvine married musician Joan Thelma Watson (1953–2015), who became the principal horn player of the Canadian Opera Orchestra (COC). They raised two sons together, Max and Joel.[12]
