Cork International Choral Festival is proud to announce the selected choirs competing in the 2020 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Each year some of the finest amateur choirs are selected to compete for this prestigious international competition. We would like to congratulate the 11 choirs that will travel to Cork in 2020. We look forward to having you with us for the 66th festival!
The Treblemakers (Canada)
Mount Royal Kantorei (Canada)
Pueri gaudentes (Czech Republic)
Vaskivuori Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir (Finland)
Ambitus Choir (Greece)
Dublin Youth Chamber Choir (Ireland)
Laetare Vocal Ensemble (Ireland)
Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland)
Cantairí Óga Átha Cliath (Ireland)
Dziesmuvara (Latvia)
Glasis Chamber Choir (Slovenia)
Thanks to all choirs who applied!
A reminder that we are still accepting applications for the non-competitive strand of the festival until the November 30th.
Don’t delay - Submit your online application here or get in touch at [email protected]
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We’re pleased and overwhelmed by the huge amount of interest in this year's edition! Thank you all and see you there.[vc_single_image media="16923" media_width_percent="66" alignment="center"]
[vc_row][vc_column column_width_use_pixel="yes" gutter_size="3" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0" column_width_pixel="1000"][vc_empty_space empty_h="1"][vc_single_image media="16894" media_width_use_pixel="yes" alignment="center" media_width_pixel="400"]So much happening on a single day!
After refreshing the website's look, today we’re launching our brand-new logo. We have worked on reinvigorating our visual identity to communicate our ongoing evolution as a Festival. We believe that our refreshed identity captures the cheerful personality of the Festival and re-imagines it for the future! We hope you like it and we invite you to let us know what you think.
To celebrate our new look, we are thrilled to announce the first Gala Concerts of the 2020 Cork International Choral Festival! Box office is now open for next Festival’s Opening Gala Concert, Fleischmann International Gala Concert and Closing Gala Concert, and if you book before 31st December you'll receive a special 10% Christmas discount on all tickets!
A Group Discount of 15% is also available for groups of 10 or more.
Book now your tickets and make the perfect gift for your loved ones!
Read more on the 2020 Gala Concerts here.
For any further queries regarding ticketing please contact [email protected]
Cork Freemasons Presents
Fundraiser in aid of RNLI, Médecins Sans Frontières Simon Communities in Ireland, Simon Community NI and the Cork International Choral Festival
Saturday 16th November, 7pm
The Freemasons’ Hall
Easily Cork city’s most atmospheric room and the oldest performance space of the city, The Freemasons’ Hall of the Province of Munster Freemasons, located on Tuckey Street, Cork, is the venue for a special fundraising concert on Saturday November 16th 2019. This year’s event is to benefit RNLI, Médecins Sans Frontières Simon Communities in Ireland, Simon Community NI and the Cork International Choral Festival.
The concert – entitled A Musical Miscellany and celebrating its 11th edition this year – will comprise of classical and contemporary music featuring CADA Performing Arts, Cork Contemporary Choir (conductor Valter Fralda), Java Ladies Chorus and Forte Mixed Voice Choir (conductor Serena Standley), UCC Singers (conductor Ben Jacob), with special guests Denis Lane (baritone), Noel Somers (tenor), Maeve Anne O'Brien (mezzo-soprano), Anne Birmingham soprano, Tom Doyle (accompanist), Eddie Dooley (classical guitar) and other guest artists.
The evening will commence at 7pm, with pre-concert drinks and canapés reception, with the concert commencing at 8pm in the Lodge Room. Special raffle on the night.
Tickets cost €25, including refreshments, and may be obtained from the Choral Festival Office, Civic Trust House, 50 Pope’s Quay (tel.: 021-4215125 - [email protected]e) or from the Masonic Hall ([email protected])
John’s involvement with the festival commenced in 1969 as a singer, continued as a conductor of various choirs over a long period, as an invited member of the Festival’s Artistic Board from 1976, and from 1993 when he became its Festival Director at the invitation of then Chairman, Alderman Jim Corr. After 26 years at the helm in a voluntary capacity John now moves aside with the distinction of being the Festival’s longest serving Festival Director. John said in his closing address that it had been – “….a particular honour to serve this special festival….The festival we now know is a vastly enriched festival to that which I inherited in 1993 but now is the appropriate time for me to move aside following a very successful 65th festival, confident in the knowledge that we now have a management team in place that will ensure the traditions of the festival, and its standards, are maintained going forward.” It was noted that, on appointment, John set out as his targets to reinstate and revise the administrative, organisational, artistic, financial, promotional structures, and to enhance the international profile of the festival such that the Cork International Choral Festival would not only maintain its pre-eminent position as Ireland’s major choral festival but also become a major festival on the international scene – this has been achieved. He assured the members of the Board that he would undertake to finalise the artistic programme for 2020 to ensure an easy hand-over to whoever would take over after him.
He acknowledged that this success could not have been accomplished without the support he had received from so many people over the years, all of whom have contributed to “the complicated and colourful tapestry” of the Choral Festival. He offered his sincere thanks to the two Chairmen of the Board, Alderman Jim Corr and Gerard Breen, the many managers and administrators he had worked with, all of whom made their own personal contributions to the festival; the members of the Festival’s Board of Directors and Artistic Boards; the heads of section who undertook their duties with committed diligence; and the many volunteers over the years. To all he offered his sincere thanks for their contribution, collegiality and friendship. He offered a special thanks to his wife, Jane, and his family, for their continued support and understanding.
The members of the Board expressed their surprise and regret at his decision, describing it as “the end of an era”, but were unanimous in their thanks and acknowledgement of his major voluntary contribution to the success of the Festival over so many years. His service was described as totally committed and exceptional by any standards of evaluation and they wished him well in his future activities. As a mark of respect and acknowledgment of his singular service John was invited to undertake a new role and to become President of the Festival. He accepted the Board’s invitation and said he would be honoured to fill such a role. He will remain as an active member of the Festival’s Board, as one of its Company Directors, and as a behind the scenes adviser when required. He will continue to represent the Festival on the international stage as a Board member of the Choral Festival Network – the international network for choral competitions and festivals, an advisor for the Singing Network, an adjudicator at national and international level, an advocate for the benefits of choral music, and as a strong promoter of the Cork International Choral Festival at home and abroad.[vc_single_image media="16802" media_width_use_pixel="yes" alignment="center" media_width_pixel="600"]The Festival is now in the process of actively assessing its future needs now that John Fitzpatrick is no longer carrying out the visionary work he has undertaken as Festival and Artistic Director for the past 26 years. Active discussions are now taking place at Board level to look at how best the Festival can fill the position to ensure that it continues to develop artistically into the future and to maintain and nurture its reputation. Its future will continue to be a work in progress and a new appointee will do so with an understanding of its special history, new ideas, a fresh approach, and new directions as being the guiding factors.
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Cork - Ireland's 'rebel city' - is one of the most vibrant cities in the Country and its county is filled with stunning sites and breath-taking landscapes. Every year the Cork International Choral Festival brings Cork to life with song for a celebration of choral music in all its many forms, as thousands of participants travel there for a programme of world-class performances. By participating to the Festival you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime!
A reminder to all international choirs that the closing date for non-competitive entries is 30th November 2019.
There's a lot of things to see, eat, drink and do during the Festival week. Here we reveal 10 reasons why you should join us for the Cork International Choral Festival:
The Irish are famed for the for their friendly and accepting attitude and Cork's pubs and restaurants are filled with locals and tourists alike, coming together to have a good time.
Likewise, the Cork International Choral Festival is renowned for the friendliness of its welcome as our Festival Team does their best to offer choirs and participants an unforgettable Festival experience! All international choirs are met on arrival by one of our fáilteoirí. The fáilteoir’s job is to ease the choir members’ stay in the city, ensuring they know where they are supposed to be and supporting the choir throughout the Festival.[vc_single_image media="16726" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
The international vibes are strong during the Festival week! The presence of choirs from throughout the world gives audiences and choirs alike the unique opportunity of hearing a diverse range of repertoire performed and get to know different cultures. International choirs participate in a wide range of Festival events, which see choirs popping up throughout Cork in new and unexpected locations throughout the duration of the Festival! A Meet & Greet session (open to the public and free) is also organised to allow international participants to get to know each other. You will experience the unifying power of choral singing![vc_single_image media="16746" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
Cork tastes amazing! No surprise that it has been defined Ireland’s food capital, thanks to a perfect combination of high quality local products and a multitude of creative and passionate chefs. Take a stroll to the centuries-old English Market or enjoy the city’s many cafes and restaurants. Don't miss the choral performances at the outdoor Festival Market in Emmet Place on the Festival weekend, and let the Festival's Food & Drink Trail inspire you for your meal stops![vc_single_image media="16749" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
Feel the cultural and artistic pulse of the city and enjoy the many historical buildings and cathedrals in the Cork area at the Festival Choral Trail and Fringe Concerts. Cork is home to numerous treasures, major monuments or little-known gems that can be discovered wandering the city streets and exploring its County. St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Triskel Christchurch, Blackrock Castle, Blarney Castle, St Colman’s Cathedral in Cobh, the Methodist Church in Kinsale - These are only some of the gorgeous venues that you can visit while listening to some fine choral music!
While attending the Festival, take also the chance to discover Ireland’s Ancient East and visit places filled with quirky and memorable experiences. With the maps and itineraries available here as your inspiration, you will discover a region of legends and stories, from ancient times to modern day.[vc_single_image media="16751" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
The colour green is closely associated with Ireland and St. Patrick's Day, but Ireland is much more colourful than that! Cork's building cover the full colour wheel. No one is sure of the origin of painting houses in bright colours. One theory is that fishermen used what was left over from painting their boats. Discover Cork City and County while attending the Festival, and take home with you memories (and, why not, also photos) of some the brightest and most colorful spots in the country![vc_single_image media="16759" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
The Festival makes the perfect occasion for everyone to enjoy choral music at the Festival's many free events. In particular, the Afternoons in the Atrium have become a very popular Festival feature and are the perfect setting for families and festival goers who want to relax in the hotel’s bright atrium and experience the Festival atmosphere in full flow. Afternoons in the Atrium provides a weekend of energetic and entertaining performances by national and international choirs in the fresh, modern setting of the Clayton Hotel.[vc_single_image media="16770" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
Every year the Festival welcomes some of the finest international talents of the choral world to Cork for a programme of 6 headline Gala Concerts. It is the perfect way to enjoy the surroundings of some of the most stunning venues in Cork (Cork City Hall, St Fin Barre's Cathedral and the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne) while attending world-class performances.
Groups and participating choirs can avail of a special discount on the tickets. Another great way to get tickets for the Gala Concerts is becoming a Friend of the Festival. The package includes a range of fantastic benefits guaranteed to bring you a jam-packed festival experience at unbeatable value for money. Gala Concerts will be announced in the coming weeks. Don't hesitate to contact the Festival Office to pre-book your tickets.[vc_single_image media="16761" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
We believe that everyone should have an opportunity to sing in the Festival! For this, each year the Festival undertakes a series of (free!) educational programmes especially developed to widen access to both the novice and experienced. Join us in 2020 for The Big Sing and the Choral Symposium, as the Cork International Choral Festival continues to push forward the development and reach of choral music. Singing with others can bring people together in a unique way and provides an unbeatable feel-good factor![vc_single_image media="16771" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
Proud of its artistic and musical traditions, blessed with a well-established festive temperament, Cork is a lively and effervescent city. Join us for some great "craic" during the Festival week! If you have no idea of what "craic" means, you may feel better knowing that everyone new to Ireland wonders at its meaning when they first hear it. "The craic" (it's pronounced crack) is one of the best-known terms in Ireland, however, some say is indefinable. The closest you get is "fun" (here you can read more about the top levels of craic you can reach).
If you are attending the Festival, you don't want to miss the Festival Club! It is the perfect place to kick back and relax with festival choirs and guests (free entrance). There is something for everyone, depending on whether you are in the mood to sing, dance, drink or mingle your way into the small hours![vc_single_image media="16772" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]
We hope that we proved that Cork has got a hell of a lot more than that postcard scenery, but, yes - we agree that when you think about Ireland, its natural wonders are probably the first thing that springs to mind. County Cork is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world, stretching from smart south-coast Kinsale to three rugged westerly peninsulas (Mizen Head, Sheep’s Head and Beara) reaching into the wild Atlantic. While attending the Festival, take some time to discover the lush landscape surrounding Cork![vc_single_image media="16783" caption="yes" media_width_percent="80" alignment="center"]If you are interested in participating in the 2020 Cork International Choral Festival with a choir, a group, or as an independent visitor, don't hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]. We'll be happy to answer all your questions!
Only 10 days left to apply for the 2020 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition!
The 66th Cork International Choral Festival will take place on 29 April - 3 May 2020 and will feature a programme of choral concerts, international and national competitions, Choral Symposium, workshops and masterclasses, as thousands of participants bring the city to life for five days.
Each year some of the finest amateur choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The selected choirs are also scheduled for a range of additional festival activities throughout the week including Fringe Concerts, Meet and Greet, and inclusion on our Choral and Sacred Trails.
The closing date for the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition is 31st October 2019.
Full details of the competition and the application form are available here.
Cork International Choral Festival presents
Cork International Choral Festival is proud to present an evening with acclaimed soprano Fiona O'Reilly and tenor Dan Twomey for an evening of festive carols, song and poetry in the stunning surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Saturday 7th December 2019 at 8pm.
Fiona and Dan will be joined on the evening by actors and singers from CADA Performing Arts (principal Catherine Mahon Buckely), Carrigaline Gospel Choir (conductor Karen Byrne), Cór Scoil Oilibhéir (conductor Angela Ward), Gaudete Choir Rochestown (conductor Pat Sheehan Corbett) and Music Mash Up Hip Hop Choir.
The evening is directed by Catherine Mahon Buckley, aided musically by Tom Doyle and guarantees to deliver an evening of festive fuzziness!
Tickets priced at €22 are available online at corkinternationalchoralfestival.ticketsolve.com and by phone (021 4215125). Book now to avoid disappointment.[vc_single_image media="16923" media_width_percent="66" alignment="center"]
[vc_row][vc_column]Thousands of choral music performers, presenters and practitioners are headed to Auckland for the 12th World Symposium on Choral Music on 11-18 July 2020.
Reminding all that registrations for WSCM2020 are open and the line-up has been released! Head to the WCSM2020 website for the full list of choirs and presenters, and get a taster of what’s to come.
Register for the Symposium before 31 December 2019 and you’ll save on registration fees - and if you book before 31 October 2019 you’ll be in the draw to win a Superior King room at Auckland’s newest hotel, the Four Points by Sheraton, in the heart of the vibrant CBD – right across the street from the WSCM2020 venues.
But, wait, there's more...there is a second prize! The second randomly drawn winner will receive an America's Cup Experience for two. Full competition terms and conditions available here.[vc_gallery el_id="gallery-583160" medias="16688,16689,16690,16691,16692,16693" gutter_size="3" screen_lg="1000" screen_md="600" screen_sm="480" images_size="four-three" single_overlay_opacity="50" single_padding="2"]
[vc_row][vc_column column_width_use_pixel="yes" gutter_size="3" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0" column_width_pixel="1000"][vc_single_image media="17330" media_width_percent="100"]The Cork International Choral Festival is looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated candidates for the 66th edition!
We have 2 different internship positions available for the period January-May 2020 depending on your skills and aspirations.
We are looking for passionate candidates who are keen to establish a career in the festivals and music events industry.
This is a great opportunity to be fully involved from the outset with the production of a well-established and exciting festival. You will learn the basic fundamentals of festival events during the months leading up to the Cork International Choral Festival. You will also be exposed to the management of all logistical needs including but not limited to box office, entertainment, catering, signage, audio/visual, gifts, etc. of festival events. The internship will involve pre-production planning (marketing/publicity), content creation for our website and social media accounts, copywriting, proof-reading. During the Festival days, you will be required to work on-site at our events (concerts, workshops, rehearsals) at different locations across Cork city and County.
We are looking for a graphic designer who wants to advance and develop their creative existing skills by working with the Festival Team on a range of projects across media and platforms.
You have the opportunity to be a part of a lively, fun atmosphere, be exposed and participate in the production of a well-established and exciting festival. The position will have a variety of different tasks, including but not limited to the following: editing the festival programme booklet, creating posters and flyers and online adverts. You will also have the opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of festival events during the months leading up to the Cork International Choral Festival. During the Festival days, you will be required to work on-site at our events (concerts, workshops, rehearsals) at different locations across Cork city and County.
3 month internship period: 30 hours per week + increased hours during festival days (29th April - 3rd May 2020), schedule to be agreed). This is an unpaid internship. We are flexible regarding working hours and start/end dates for the right candidate.
We will be working from our own offices in Civic Trust House on 50 Pope Quays, Cork.
Please email a cover letter and CV to [email protected] by 31st January 2020.
Founded in 1954 to be a dynamic force in developing choral music in Ireland, the Cork International Choral Festival is held annually over the five days preceding the first Monday in May in venues across the city, centering around the City Hall, one of the most attractive and acoustically superb venues in Ireland. It is one of Europe’s premier international choral festivals and is noted for its high competitive standards, excellent organisation, and the friendliness of its welcome. Each year some of the finest amateur international choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The selected choirs also have an opportunity to perform non-competitively in a range of Festival activities presented over the weekend, including Fringe concerts, church and informal performances. Their presence gives audiences and Irish choirs the unique opportunity of attending a diverse range of concerts and competitive sessions while in Cork. As well as foreign choirs, the Festival annually features up to 100 Adult, Youth and School choirs who participate in National Competitions. Overall the Festival attracts some 5,000 participants. The festival continues to ensure that choral music, representative of many historical and cultural traditions, is brought to the people of Cork and the many visitors who travel to the city for the event.
If you require further information, please email: [email protected]
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