Following a successful return to an in-person festival this year, we are giving awayย 25 Gala Concert ticketsย to an international choir that books their participation in the 2023 Cork International Choral Festival (Fleischmann International Trophy Competitionย orย International Non-Competitiveย strand)ย before the 30th September 2022.
We are very excited at the prospect of being able to welcome you to Cork next year. Based on the information available to date, we are working on the preparations for the 67th Cork International Choral Festival, taking place on 26th - 30th April 2023. Read our Covid-19 updateย here.
All international choirs who submit aย complete applicationย before 30th September 2022 automatically qualify for the above prize draw. The winning choir will be announced in January 2023.
Donโt delay! Get your international application in today. If you have any questions please get in touch with our Festival Team at [email protected].
* 2023 Early Bird Offer Terms and Conditions:
Maximum 25 tickets.ย No competition prize may be transferred or assigned to any other choir or person and no cash alternative or alternative prize is available. The Gala Concert shall be determined by the Cork International Choral Festival and will take place on the festival week (26th - 30th April 2023).
This competition will run until 23:59 Irish time, UTC+01 on 30th September 2022. Applications received after this time will not be eligible to be entered into the draw for the prize.
The two unclaimed winning tickets are green 471-475 AT7N BM55 (purchased at the FITC Gala on Saturday 30th April) and blue 356-360 AP464220 (purchased at the Closing Gala on Sunday 1st May).
Prizes are 1-night B&B for two at the Maldron Hotel South Mall and a โฌ150 voucher for The Dean Cork.
If you are the lucky winner please contact us at [email protected] or 021 4212125 ๐
The Cork International Choral Festival came to a climactic penultimate close with its Awards Ceremony at 5.15 pm on Sunday 1st May 2022 in Cork City Hall. Following a hugely successful Festival, the Jury results were finally announced for all sections of the Festivalโs varied and prestigious categories. International and national choirs from near and far waited nervously for the announcements. The following are the results for all categories:
1st Prize
Vaskivuori Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir, FINLAND
Conductor: Joanna Vehanen
92.08%
2nd Prize
Eller Girls Choir, ESTONIA
Conductor: Kulli Lokko
91.56%
3rd Prize
Glasis Chamber Choir, SLOVENIA
Conductor: Ernest Kokot
91.44%
Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy
Donated by Chris Mahon
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Awarded to:
Vaskivuori Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir, Finland
Conductor: Jonna Vehmanen
For the performance of: Go down, Moses Trad., arr. Jan Hellberg
Schuman/Europe Trophy
In memory of Moira Pyne (1916 โ 2009)
Special Award for the performance of a piece by a living European Composer in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Awarded to:
Eller Girls' Choir, ESTONIA
Conductor: Kรผlli Lokko
For the performance of: High Flight Eriks Eลกenvalds
Heinrich Schรผtz Perpetual Trophy
In memory of Hans Waldemar Rosen
Special Award for the performance of a choral work by Heinrich Schรผtz in the National or International Competitions.
Awarded to:
Dublin Youth Choir, IRELAND
Conductor: Lynsey Callaghan
For the Performance of: Gib unsern Fรผrsten
The McCurtain and McSwiney Memorial Trophy
Donated by the Cork Council of Trade Unions
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 Trophy also receives a special award, kindly donated by Musica International, which offers them full access to the Musica International website and their virtual choral library. Musica International is a major project of the International Federation for Choral Music.
Awarded to:
Conductor: Ernest Kokot
Choir: Glasis Chamber Choir SLOVENIA
PEACE Trophy
Donated by the P.E.A.C.E Movement Cork
Awarded to the choir that best embraces the spirit of the Festival, and fulfils the intentions of the trophyโs benefactors, the P.E.A.C.E. Movement, Cork.
Awarded to:
Ole Bull Chamber Choir, NORWAY
Conductor: Jon Flydal Blichfeldt
Ireland's Choir of the Year Competition and Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy
Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson
1st Prize
Dublin Youth Choir, Dublin
Conductor: Lynsey Callaghan
87.50%
2nd Prize
MTU Glรณr Choral Society, Cork
Conductor: Robbie Pender
83.78%
3rd Prize
UCC Singers, Cork
Conductor: Ben Jacobs
83.22%
IBEC Workplace Choir of the Year
In-Person
2nd Place
Ibec Choir (Ibec)
Conductor: Judith Lyons
1st Place
Scrubs (Cork University Hospital)
Conductor: Patrick DโAlton
IBEC Workplace Choir of the Year
Video (Virtual)
2nd Place
NTMA Choir
Conductor: Duncan Brickenden
1st Place
Fidelty Investments
Conductor: Peter Mannion
National Competition for Chamber Choirs
1st Prize
Dynamics
Conductor: Jennifer Lee
85.00%
National Competition for Upper Voice Choirs
1st Prize
Cappella Lyrica, CORK
Conductor: Maria Judge
88.17%
2nd Prize
Kinsale Voices, CORK
Conductor: Patrick DโAlton
87.67%
National Competition for Lower Voice Choirs
1st Prize
The Polyphonics Chorus
Conductor: Patrick DโAlton
85.17%
National Competition for Mixed Voice Choirs
1st Prize
Viva Voce, CORK
Conductor: Bernadette Kiely
85.00%
National Competition for Youth Choirs
1st Prize
Dublin Youth Choir
Conductor: Lynsey Callaghan
87.67%
2nd Prize
SETU Youth Choir, WATERFORD
Conductor: Niall Crowley
85%
National Competition for Light, Jazz and Popular Music
1st Prize
Dynamics, WICKLOW
Conductor: Jennifer Lee
86.33%
2nd Prize
NUIG Alumni Ensemble. GALWAY
Conductor: Peter Mannion
85.67%
National Competition for Church Music
1st Prize
Dublin Youth Choir
Conductor: Lynsey Callaghan
88.17%
2nd Prize
UCC Singers, Cork
Conductor: Ben Jacob
87.5%
Ireland's Choir of the Year and Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy
Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson
Awarded to:
Dublin Youth Choir
Conductor: Lynsey Callaghan
Trofaรญ Cuimhneachรกin Philib Ui Laoghaire
Donated by Cรณr Cois Laoi
Special Award for the performance of a choral work in Irish.
Awarded to:
Dublin Youth Chamber Choir, DUBLIN
Conductor: Lyndsey Callaghan
For the performance of: Bagairt na Marbh , Michael Holohan in FITC
Perpetual Trophy for the Performance of Irish Contemporary Choral Music
Donated by The Contemporary Music Centre
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:
Cuore, Co. Dublin
Conductor: Amy Ryan
For the performance of: Alleluia, Christus Resuuexit, Colin Mawby 1936-2019
The John Mannion Trophy
Donated by the family of John Mannion
Special Award to a Chamber Choir for the performance of a work in the National Competitions.
Awarded to:
Choir: Capella Lyrica
Conductor: Maria Judge
For the performance of: The Snow โ Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
The Seรกn ร Riada Trophy
Awarded to Composer, Daragh Black Hynes, for his work Behind This Light
National Competition for Schools: Section 1 (Primary School Choirs)
1st Prize
Cรณr Scoil Mhuire Junior School, Cork
Conductor: Maeve-Ann OโBrine
89.00%
2nd Prize
The Rowan Room Choir. St Michaelโs National Choir
Conductor: Robbie Carroll
85%
National Competition for Schools: Section 2 (Equal Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)
1st Prize
Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles
Conductor: Joan Butler
91%
2nd Prize
De La Salle Senior Choir, Waterford
Conductor: Ben Hanlon
86%
National Competition for Schools: Section 3 (Mixed Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)
1st Prize
St David's Holy Faith Choir, WICKLOW
Conductor: Emily Aylmer
85%
School Choir Of The Festival and the Recipient of The John Cunningham Trophy
Awarded to the school choir who received the highest overall mark in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
Ursuline Singers, Thurles
Conductor: Joan Butler,
The Sing Ireland Trophy
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the National Competitions for Schools.
For the performance of: I am a Small Part of the World by Sally K. Albrecht (b. 1954), Jay Althouse (b. 1951), in the National Competition for Schools: Section 3: Post-Primary Equal Voice
Awarded to: Cรณr Scoil Mhuire J.S
Conductor: Maeve-Ann OโBrien
The Irish Federation of Musicians & Associated Professions Trophy
Special Award for the performance of a choral piece in Irish in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
The Rowan Room, St. Michaels National School
Conductor: Robbie Carrol
The Sing Ireland Bursary for Conductors
Special bursary award to a conductor in the school competitions to attend Sing Irelandโs Annual Summer School.
Awarded to:
Lou Barry
Conductor of Headfort School Choir, Co. Cork
Tomorrow, Friday 29th April is Ibec's 8th National Workplace Wellbeing Day!
Never has embedding a sustainable, long-term approach to health and wellbeing been so important as the world of work continues to evolve following the Covid-19 pandemic. Ibec voices support for staff health and wellbeing initiatives with its sponsorship of the 2nd edition of the Ibec Workplace Choir of the Year competition at the 2022 Cork International Choral Festival on Saturday 30th April at 2pm.
Want to be a part of an amazing festival?
Preparations are in full swing to fill this year's festival with wonderful music and voices! Volunteering with the Cork International Choral Festival is an opportunity to be a part of a team of over 200 volunteers, to meet new people and choirs from all over the world and to be part of the action during the Festival week on 27th April - 1st May 2022.
As a token of our thanks, there are some great perks for volunteers, from free tickets to shows, to invitation to the Festival Launch & Reception!
To register your interest, get in touch by returning the completed volunteer form available on this page.
If you want to learn more about our festival, meet our team at the online information session by Cork Volunteer Centre on Monday 28th March, 11.30am - 12.30pm. Register now
Illustration by Achsa Philippi
The time has come - Tickets for the Gala Concerts of the 2022 Cork International Choral Festival are now available!
Be part of the exciting in-person return of the 67th festival from 27th April - 1st May 2022.
Secure your tickets at this link or become a Friend of the Festival by submitting the order form available on this page.
Wednesday 27th April, 8pm, Opening Gala - Sestina, Handel's Messiah @ Cork City Hall - Read more
Thursday 28th April, 8pm, I Fagiolini @ Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, Cork - Read more
Friday 29th April, 7.30pm, Chamber Choir Ireland @ St. Finbarre's Cathedral, Cork - Read more
Friday 29th April, 10pm, Latvian Voices @ Triskel Christchurch, Cork - Read more
Saturday 30th April, 8pm, Fleischmann International Gala @ Cork City Hall - Read more
Sunday 1st May, 8pm, Closing Gala Concert @ Cork City Hall - Read more
We look forward to welcoming you to the 2022 festival!
Daragh Black Hynes has been announced as the winner of the prestigious 2022 Seรกn ร Riada Composition Competition at the Cork International Choral Festival.
As the winner, his composition Behind This Light will receive its world premiรจre in the spectacular surrounds of St. Fin Barreโs Cathedral Cork on Friday 29th April at 7pm.ย The performance will be part of the annual collaborative concert with the festivalโs choir-in-residence Chamber Choir Ireland. It promises to be a wonderful evening of song and a fine occasion to be there in person as the festival welcomes back in person events.
Daragh Black Hynes is a Dublin born composer and guitarist. His instrumental works have been performed by ConTempo Quartet, Concorde Ensemble, Elaine Clarke, The Doolan Quartet, Kazuhito and Koyumi Yamashita, Cormac ร hAodรกin and others, and his electronic music output includes the 2020 release โRelative States Volume Iโ, an album of works which received extensive play by Bernard Clarke on RTE Lyric FM The Blue of the Night.
His recent works include solo horn work Ditan, composed for Cormac ร hAodรกin as part of the CMC Colleagues initiative and premiered as part of Culture Night 2021; guitar piece Proteus for Hungarian guitarist Katalin Koltai, which was chosen for the โUlysses Journey 2022โ project; the score to the award-winning animated short โThe Dead Hands of Dublinโ; and string quartet โProcessionโ which won the 2018 West Cork Chamber Music Festival Composition Competition. He is currently collaborating with flutist Emma Coulthard on a new work for flute as part of the 2022 CMC Colleagues initiative.
He studied composition at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama with Jane OโLeary and subsequently relocated to Beijing where he completed a masterโs in composition with Jia Guoping at the Central Conservatory of Music. On returning to Dublin, he undertook PhD studies with Grรกinne Mulvey at TU Dublin Conservatoire, completed in 2021. On receiving the news of his win, Daragh said,
Itโs a great honour to be chosen as winner of the Seรกn ร Riada Composition Competition. Iโm in highly esteemed company with the winners of previous years, and itโs wonderful to have the chance to participate in the Cork International Choral Festival. I had decided at the outset to use a text by Joyce for my work, and ultimately selected Ulysses โ I found the process of setting Joyceโs text to music incredibly inspiring, and Iโm absolutely delighted that the work will be premiered by the brilliant Chamber Choir Ireland!
His composition, Behind This Lightwas chosen by the members of the judging panel, CCI member Eoghan Desmond, composer Rhona Clarke and Paul Hillier, Artistic Director and Conductor of CCI, who summarised their reaction and evaluation to Daragh Black Hynesโs winning piece as follows:
The composer skilfully exploits the choral texture to illustrate Joyce's text, and the adventurous harmonic language mirrors the famous stream of consciousness. The diversity of rhythms and varying sense of pace made this piece stand out from the other entrants, and will make it interesting also for any choir that may sing it.
Initiated in 1972, the present format of the Seรกn ร Riada Competition offers a platform for Irish composers to have their work judged and rewarded purely on its own merits without the judges being influenced by the reputation or status of the composer. All compositions are submitted under a pseudonym, with the authorโs real name not being revealed until after the judgesโ decision has been made. Works composed in the Irish language are encouraged. The competition has, as a central aim, the intention of providing Irish choirs with fresh, authentic material for inclusion in their programmes.
The competition has attracted the attention of many highly-regarded composers, with past winners including Solfa Carlisle, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Sรฉamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal MacErlaine, Simon MacHale, Michael McGlynn, Kevin OโConnell, Amanda Feery, Criostรณir ร Loingsigh, Donal Sarsfield, James May, Peter Leavy and last yearโs winner Norah Constance Walsh. With nearly 220 compositions being submitted in the past 10 years of the new format, the Seรกn ร Riada Composition Competition clearly highlights the number of composers now working and living in Ireland, and further demonstrates the Cork International Choral Festivalโs continuing commitment to encourage the composition and performance of contemporary music.
Further details will be announced in the coming weeks on this yearโs ย Cork International Choral Festival which after two years of innovatively going virtual will make a return to in-person on stage event series.
Did you enjoy trying a few dance moves with Kelly Ann Murphy for our "Brave" festival launch video last year? If you are based in Cork then you don't want to miss the return of in-person Zumba classes in CADA starting Thursday February 3rd at 8.15pm!
Book your place now and letโs start the new year off right! CADA qualified dance teachers Kelly Ann Murphy and Jessica OโShea canโt wait to see everyone!
For more info please contact (021) 486 6389 - cadaperformingarts.ie
We couldn't be more excited to return as an in-person event this year!
After two years of waiting, we announce the return to the stage of the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition on Saturday 30th April 2022 (stay tuned for more box office updates!)
We are thrilled to announce the 8 selected choirs competing in the 2022 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition:
Pueri Gaudentes (Czech Republic)
Eller Girls' Choir (Estonia)
Vaskivuori Upper Secondary School Chamber Choir (Finland)
Dublin Youth Choir (Ireland)
Cuore Chamber Choir (Ireland)
Cantairรญ รga รtha Cliath (Ireland)
Ole Bull Chamber Choir (Norway)
Glasis Chamber Choir (Slovenia)
Seeing people safely singing and connecting in person again will be incredible. We look forward to having you all with us in Cork from 27th April - 1st May 2022.
Designed for anyone with experience in leading choirs of all kinds, the four-day-day intensive hands-on course will help develop conducting skills under the leadership of expert international guest tutors, Professor Roland Bรถrger and Dr Amy Bebbington. The course will be completed with an Ensemble workshop with Chamber Choir Ireland and will help arm participants with both theory and practical methods of guiding their choirs, tempo, sound and expression.
Guest tutor Professor Roland Bรถrger is head of Choral Conducting at the Leipzig University of Music and Theatre, Germany. He studied church music and choral and orchestral conducting at the University of Music in Freiburg, Germany. Since 2001 he has been a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and he teaches organ at the Evangelical University of Church Music in Halle (Saale).
Fellow guest tutor Amy Bebbington is Director of Training for the Association of British Choral Directors, UK. She holds a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University and is sought-after for her engaging teaching style and wealth of pedagogical experience.
Chamber Choir Ireland are the countryโs flagship choral ensemble. Their programmes span from early renaissance to the present day, incorporating established choral classics with cutting edge commissions.
The participation fee is โฌ250 pp. If you are interested in taking your conducting skills to a new level while networking with other conductors, you can find more information on this page. Online registrations are being accepted - Closing date: 18th February 2022.
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