Cork International Choral Festival would like to inform all choristers, audience, stakeholders, partners and followers of the following change for our 2018 Festival.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, the 2018 Festival, the 64th edition of the Festival, will move dates for one year only from the May Bank Holiday weekend and will now run from 18th until 22nd April 2018 inclusive.
All application dates for international choirs will remain the same. If you have any queries, please email the Festival Manager on [email protected]
The recent death of Colum Ó Cléirigh on 15 May 2017 sees yet another pioneer in the field of Irish music education departing the stage, a stage upon which he performed with his own inimitable charm and wit over many years.
At the Review Meeting of this year’s Cork International Choral Festival, John Fitzpatrick, Festival Director, outlined Colum’s life and work and the contribution he had made to education and music over his long and fruitful lifetime. His varied career as a teacher, headmaster, Professor of Music at St. Patrick’s Training College, his studies in, and subsequent introduction of, the Kodaly System of Music Education to Ireland, his related work as a choir conductor, examiner, and adjudicator, and his work in improving the career structures of 3rd level teachers, were the outward career signs of a person who lived life passionately and to the full, and who was fearless in speaking out on what he considered right.
Colum was a long-term Friend and major supporter of the Cork International Choral Festival missing only two of the 63 festivals, one due to major heart surgery, and the second due to his recent terminal illness. John spoke warmly of the person he had known for many years and whose knowledge, positivity, generosity, personal support, and larger than life personality he valued highly. He extended his, and the Festival’s, sympathies to Colum’s partner, Peter McDermott, his children, Duncan and Sharon, his grandchildren, brother Noel, sister Kathleen, extended family and many friends on his recent death. His colourful personality will be sadly missed but all who knew him will remember him, and his wonderful stories, fondly.
The Cork International Choral Festival came to a climactic penultimate close with its Awards Ceremony at 5.15pm on Sunday 30 April 2017 in Cork City Hall. Following a hugely successful Festival, the Jury Results were finally announced for all sections of the Festival’s varied and prestigious categories. International and national choirs from near and far waited nervously for the announcements. The following are the final results for all categories:
1st Prize
Codetta, Ireland
Conductor: Dónal Doherty
91.25%
2nd Prize
Bodeča Neža Girls Choir, ITALY
Conductor: Mateja Černic
90.67 %
3rd Prize
UBC University Singers, British Columbia, CANADA
Conductor: Dr. Graeme Langager
90.25%
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Awarded to:
Mukogawa Women’s University Junior & Senior High School Chorus Club, JAPAN
Conductor: Takako Okamoto
For the performance of: Chukkyari Asabana, by Takatomi Nobunaga
Special Award for the performance of a piece by a living European Composer in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, IRELAND
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie
For the performance of: The Old Woman, by Rhona Clarke
Special Award for the performance of a choral work by Heinrich Schütz in the National or International Competitions.
Awarded to:
Codetta, IRELAND
Conductor: Dónal Doherty
For the Performance of: O Lieber Herre Gott SWV287
Special Award, decided by the members of the International Jury, to a conductor in the International Competition for the performance of an imaginative and artistic programme. The recipient of this award, which is kindly donated by Musica International, will gain access to the Musica International website and their full software along with presence and promotion on their virtual choral library, a major project of the International Federation for Choral Music.
Awarded to:
Cywair, WALES
Conductor: Islwyn Evans
Awarded to the choir that best embraces the spirit of the Festival, and fulfils the intentions of the trophy’s benefactors, the P.E.A.C.E. Movement, Cork.
Awarded to:
Madrid Male Chorus, SPAIN
Conductor: Juan Pablo de Juan
1st Prize
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Co. Dublin
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie
86.67%
2nd Prize
UCC Choral Society, Cork
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
85.78%
3rd Prize
The Academy Chamber Choir, Co. Offaly
Conductor: Ciarán Brady
83.44%
1st Prize
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Conductor: Ciarán Kelly
90.33%
2nd Prize
NUIG Alumni Ensemble, Galway
Conductor: Peter Mannion
81%
1st Prize
Portadown Male Voice Choir, Co Down
Conductor: Gordon Speers
86%
2nd Prize
Testostertones, Co Galway
Conductor: Peter Mannion
83%
1st Prize
Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Kildare
Conductor: Ruaidhrí O Dálaigh
86.83%
2nd Prize
Cór Mhaigheo, Mayo
Conductor: Brian Lennon
84.17%
1st Prize
The Voices, Cork
Conductor: Mary Pedder-Daly
87.75%
2nd Prize
Douglas Harmonia Singers, Cork
Conductor: Lorna Moore
84.75%
1st Prize
WIT Youth Choir, Waterford
Conductor: Niall Crowley
87.25%
2nd Prize
The Penston Vocal Academy, Co. Wicklow
Conductor: Naoimh Penston
85.5 %
1st Prize
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Ciarán Kelly
92.75%
2nd Prize
UCC Singers
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
91.25%
1st Prize
Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Kildare
Conductor: Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh
86%
2nd Prize
Carrigaline Choral Group
Conductor: Aonghus Joyce
83%
Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie
Special Award for the performance of a choral work in Irish.
Awarded to:
UCC Choral Society, Cork
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
For the performance of: Bagairt na Marbh by Michael Holohan in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition
Special Award for the performance of an original choral work by an Irish composer written after 1975 and chosen from the library collection of the Contemporary Music Centre.
Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Co Dublin
Conductor: Dr Róisín Blunnie
For the performance of: It’s Strange about Stars by Seán Doherty in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition
Special Award to a Chamber Choir for the performance of a work in the National Competitions.
Awarded to:
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Co. Dublin
Conductor: Ciarán Kelly
For the performance of: Butterfly by Mia Makaroff in The National Open Competition for Chamber Choirs
1st Prize
Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní, Cork
Conductor: Maeve-Ann O’Brien
85.5%
2nd Prize
Cór Scoil Bhríde Eglantine, Cork
Conductor: Patricia O’Donovan
85%
1st Prize
Loreto Secondary School Choir, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Conductor: Tim Fouhy
90.5%
2nd Prize
Presentation Secondary School Choir, Ballyphehane, Cork
Conductor: Anne Dunphy
89.75%
1st Prize
Wesley College Senior Choir, Dublin
Conductor: Helen Doyle
90%
2nd Prize
Maynooth Education Campus Chamber Choir
Conductor: Jonathon Hanlon
85.5%
Awarded to the school choir who received the highest overall mark in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
Loreto Secondary School Choir, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Conductor: Tim Fouhy
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
Cashel Community School Girls Choir, Co. Tipperary
Conductors: John Murray & Helen Colbert
For the performance of: For Him All Stars Have Shone by Bob Chilcott, in the National Competition for Schools: Section 2: Post Primary Equal Voice
Special Award for the performance of a choral piece in Irish in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
Laurel Hill Coláiste F.C.J, Co. Limerick
Conductor: Orla Colgan Ahern
For the performance of Fionnghuala by Michael McGlynn in the National Competition for Schools: Section 2: Post Primary Equal Voice.
Special bursary award to a conductor in the school competitions to attend the AOIC’s Annual Summer School.
Awarded to:
Jonathon Hanlon
Conductor of Maynooth Education Campus Choir, Co. Kildare
Cork International Choral Festival is proud to announce, Criostóir Ó Loingsigh as the winner of the 2017 Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. As winner of the competition, his piece Scél Lemm Dúib will receive its world première in the spectacular surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Friday 28th April at 7.30pm. The Festival’s Choir-in-Residence, Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, will premiere the performance as part of its annual collaborative concert with the Festival in what promises to be a wonderful evening of song. In what was an exceptional high-quality competition one additional composition was chosen as runner-up, which was Michael Doherty of Dublin, with his piece The Art of Dying.
Along with receiving a cash prize, kindly donated by the Ó Riada family, Criostóir’s piece will receive its world première during the Festival. It will be performed by Chamber Choir Ireland in a concert which will also feature another world première of a piece by David Fennessy that was specially commissioned by the Festival. Criostóir will also play an integral part in the Festival’s Choral Symposium under the direction of Paul Hillier and Chamber Choir Ireland in an interactive workshop session on Friday 28th April at 2pm in Cork School of Music.
It's taking place on Wednesday 15th March in Clayton Hotel, Lapps Quay.
Tables cost €40 (4 per table) and can be booked with Neil Bowen at [email protected] or 087 2503609.
Test your general knowledge and join us for some pre-Festival fun - with a super raffle and great prizes up for grabs!
Cork International Choral Festival Celebrates World Choral Day
with Festive Favourites at Glow Festival!
Sunday 11th December, 1pm - Grand Parade, Cork
December 2016 – On Sunday the 11th December, Cork International Choral Festival launches their exciting 2017 Gala Concerts box office in celebration of World Choral Day. This year will be the Festival’s 63rd and will reaffirm its position as the longest running Festival in Cork. As part of the Glow Celebrations in marking World Choral Day, Cork International Choral Festival will bring together a great number of voices, including children from the Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní, Java Choir, Forte Choir, SCRUBS-CUH Workplace Choir and An Cór - Cork County Council Staff Choir to perform on Grand Parade from 1pm to celebrate World Choral Day and to get us into the Christmas Spirit!
The newly launched programme will see everything kick off at the Opening Gala Concert on Wednesday 26th April 2017 with the world-renowned Verdi's Requiem performed by the Fleischmann Symphony Orchestra. Verdi's Requiem, one of the most frequently performed major choral work, will be brought to life in Cork City Hall through the voices of Cara O'Sullivan (soprano), Raphaella Mangan (mezzo soprano), Owen Gilhooly (tenor), John Molloy (bass) and a Festival Chorus comprised of East Cork Choral Society, Cór Cois Abhann and Cantairí Mhuscraí, conducted by Keith Pascoe. Pre-concert recital will feature the Band of 1 Brigade.
The following Gala Concert on Thursday 27th April will have Grammy Award-winning The Swingles return to Cork showcasing their amazing vocal talents. Based in UK, The Swingles is one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles. For more than half a century, The Swingles have pushed the boundaries of vocal music. The seven young singers that make up today’s London-based group are driven by the same innovative spirit that has defined the formation since their early days. At a time when a cappella music is more popular than ever, The Swingles are recognised as masters of their craft and will surely bring a wonderful energy to Cork City Hall. A night of entertainment and vocal quality not to be missed!
Friday 28th April will leave you spoilt for choice. The 7.30pm concert in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral from Chamber Choir Ireland (Festival choir-in-residence) premières not only a newly commissioned work from composer David Fennessy, but also from the winner of this year’s Séan Ó Riada Competition for Irish composers. That evening gets even busier with the late-night concert Evocations set to take place in the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne at 10.30pm. The evening will platform one of Ireland’s top award-winning chamber choirs, New Dublin Voices with a serene and ethereal programme.
With 16 International groups already confirmed for the Festival, 2017 looks set to maintain its high standard and cosmopolitan appeal, ensuring its artistic future and integrity as one of the world’s most prestigious Choral Festivals. In light of that prestige we have the International Fleischmann Gala which will take pride of place on Saturday 29th April in City Hall, where some of the world’s top amateur choirs compete for one of the most prestigious prizes in International standards.
The Closing Gala Concert in City Hall on Sunday 30th April will mark the end of a jam-packed Festival week with International choirs presenting choral music representative of their musical and cultural backgrounds in a joyful celebration of song and colour.
Festival Tickets are available for purchase through the online booking system at www.corkchoral.ie, and in person from the Festival Box Office at The Everyman, McCurtain Street. So get set this Christmas with the perfect gift for you or a loved one and get booking to ensure your May Bank Holiday weekend will be the one to have you singing in the city, the ultimate soundtrack to your social life.
The Cork International Choral Festival gratefully acknowledges the financial support of The Arts Council of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland Ireland’s Ancient East, Cork City Council and Cork County Council.
Cork International Choral Festival Presents:
Christmas at the Cathedral
With Majella Cullagh
Littleshoes Players, Montfort Youth Choir and PfizerPfonics
Saturday 10th December, 8pm
St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Cork International Choral Festival is proud to present an evening with internationally acclaimed soprano Majella Cullagh for an evening of festive carols, song and poetry in the stunning surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Saturday 10th December 2016 at 8pm. Majella will be joined on the evening by actors from the Littleshoes Players, The Montfort Youth Choir and award-winning national choir, PfizerPfonics. Festive favourites including O Holy Night, Carol of the Bells, Believe, Who Would Imagine a King and many, many more will have everyone feeling that warm and gooey Christmassy feeling from their heads to the tips of their toes!
Majella Cullagh has been called one of the great bel canto divas of our time. Performing across the world, in opera houses from London to Verona, New York to Auckland, she is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s foremost musical ambassadors.
And despite her hectic international schedule, this opera diva will never miss the opportunity to give something back to her native Cork. She finds time to teach in the Singing Academy at the Montfort College of Performing Arts; and she’s there and ready to help. This Christmas sees the Cork International annual fundraising concert take over the historic and glorious St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral with Majella ready and willing to lead the evening of music.
Joining Majella on the evening The Montfort Youth Choir comprising of 45 young voices from all over Cork city and county with an upbeat and almost ethereal programme under the leadership of Carol Arnopp. In addition, Bernadette Kiely brings her award-winning choir PfizerPfonics with an accomplished and polished repertoire to lend their voices to help raise the roof on this magnificent landmark. While actors from the Littleshoes Players under the direction of Festival Manager, Sinéad Dunphy will lend their voices to the words of great poets and entwine the audiences in the true and plentiful messages of Christmas.
The evening is brought together by Festival Manager, Sinéad Dunphy, aided musically by Carol Arnopp and guarantees to deliver an evening of Festive fuzziness!
Tickets priced at only €20 are available from the Everyman Theatre on www.everymancork.com or 021-450 1673. Book now to avoid disappointment.
The much-celebrated Seán Ó Riada Compoisition is now officially launched! Be in with a chance of winning this esteemed composition competition and having your work premiered in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral by the acclaimed Chamber Choir Ireland on Friday 28th April 2017.
Read on to get all the details!
The Seán Ó Riada Competition was initiated in 1972 in recognition of the creative life and work of Seán Ó Riada (1931-71). It was initially conceived of as an encouragement to amateur adult Irish choirs to select and perform existing or newly composed original works in the Irish language by an Irish composer. The trophy was presented for the best performance. In 1976, the competition became specifically a composition competition. It was open to composers, born or resident in Ireland, to set a poem in Irish for a cappella choir, no performance applied. In 1978 the competition was further adapted to encourage Irish amateur choirs to commission original works from Irish composers for performance at the festival, the trophy being awarded to the choir. The aim of the competition was threefold (a) to encourage Irish composers to write new works in the Irish language, (b) to widen the accessibility of new works in the Irish language for amateur Irish choirs, and (c) to enhance the existing repertoire of Irish choral music. Following a period when interest in the competition diminished it was discontinued, its format not valued either by composers or choirs. In 2010 the competition was reintroduced utilising a totally new format, and the novel aspect of scores being entered under Pseudonym to protect the identity of the composer. To enhance the status of the composer and provide an incentive, the winning composer attended the Festival and the winning composition was included as one of the works presented and discussed at the Seminar on New Choral Music/Choral Symposium. The new format was an instant success. Since 2010 to date, 187 compositions have been received testifying to the present interest in, and healthy state of Irish composition. Previous winners of the competition include Solfa Carlile, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Séamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal Mac Erlaine, Simon MacHale, Michael McGlynn, Kevin O’Connell, and last year’s winner, Amanda Feery. A number of these works have been published by international choral publishing houses.
What is the Seán Ó Riada Competition?
The Seán Ó Riada Competition is a composition competition which invites the submission of new works from Irish composers. The competition is a collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and Chamber Choir Ireland. The winning composition will be selected by a panel, comprising of composers and choral experts, and will be a featured work at a Choral Symposium to be held during the Festival. This Symposium will feature Chamber Choir Ireland and its internationally renowned conductor, Paul Hillier, as artists in residence. The selected composition will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier. The composer of the work will be invited to attend the Festival as its guest and play an active part in the Choral Symposium.
What composers are eligible?
Composers born, or resident, in Ireland are eligible to apply. Applications are welcomed from both established and emerging composers.
What general compositional parameters apply?
While Chamber Choir Ireland (CCI)—a chamber choir of 16 voices—will give the premiere performance of the work, it should have the potential to be accessible for performance by a wider range of high standard amateur Irish choirs.
The following parameters apply:
Presentation format of score?
It is desirable that the work be presented in computerised notation A4 format (Sibelius or other). The text utilised, including its writer and source, should be detailed on a separate page and form part of the score presentation. If hand written, scores should be legible and suitable for duplication for performance and study purposes in maximum A4 format.
Application Process?
In keeping with best practice, and to ensure the anonymity of composers’ identities in the application, assessment, and selection process the method of application will be as follows.
Assessment of compositions?
The assessment panel will consist of a minimum of three persons. Both established composers and persons with choral expertise will be represented on the panel.
Benefits to be derived by composer?
Closing Date for receipt of applications?
Friday 9th December 2016.
General Rules of Application
Contacts for further information:
Sinéad Dunphy, Festival Manager
Cork International Choral Festival
Civic Trust House
50 Pope’s Quay
Cork
Tel: 00 353 (0)21 4215125 Email: [email protected]
The un-mastered recordings of all the Cork International Choral Festival 2016 sessions are now available from Festival HQ at Civic Trust House!
The cost for recordings is €15 for one session, €25 for two, and €30 for three, with additional costs for packaging and postage for hard copy (CD). The easiest way of getting them is to let us transfer them to you digitally, so you can have them immediately upon receipt of payment.
If you, your choir or your friends would be interested in hearing any of these sessions you can now purchase Festival Recordings through Paypal below.
Once payment has been made, you can send us an email making a note of which competition session you would like, and we’ll get them to you. Payment can also be made by bank transfer or cheque, just get in touch and we'll send you details!
Email: [email protected]
Thank you to everyone who supported us by purchasing raffle tickets over the five days of this year's Festival. There were a number of prizes that went unclaimed. If you still have your raffle tickets, now is the time to check them and get in touch if you have a winner!
Unclaimed on Wednesday 27th April:
Green ticket A158 XL41 91 -95
Amber ticket AR75 LL5E 122 - 125
Unclaimed on Thursday 28th April:
Pink ticket AL5Q 3K4W 231 - 235
Green ticket A158 XL41 291 - 195
Unclaimed on Saturday 30th April:
Green ticket A158 XN41 401 - 405
If you have one of the winning tickets, email us at [email protected].
Unclaimed raffle prizes will be held until 9am on Tuesday 10th May, after which time they will be donated elsewhere.
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