Who is Murray Stapleton? As we know very well here at the Cork International Choral Festival, competition results are always an exciting time. However when a competition winner’s true identity remains shrouded in mystery, it becomes even more intriguing! Early this year, the Festival together with Artists in Residence the National Chamber Choir of Ireland announced the return of the Seán O’Riada Competition. This composition competition invited the submission of new works from established and emerging composers, born or resident in Ireland.

The re-introduction of a composition competition to the Festival was met with great enthusiasm, however we were still unprepared for both the quantity and quality of work received. A total of 30 submissions were received, all of which were sent in under pseudonyms to ensure that the work was selected on merit alone.  

Over the past week, our judging panel has selected from among pieces which are, in the words of English Composer Roxanna Panufnik “interesting and sometimes quite beautiful takes on traditional Irish influences”. According to Seminar Chairperson Rhona Clarke “some pieces were more melodic and lyrical, while others concentrated on textural elements; others still chose harmonic content as the main focus.”

However from such a high standard of entry, the final winner has been selected.  The judging panel deemed it “a cleverly crafted piece with a well-defined and purposeful structure and a consistent style and intriguing quirkiness “.Paul Hillier, Artistic Director of the NCC, praised the overall techniques used and said they were “perfectly matched to the intention”

And so we ask – could the real Murray Stapleton please stand up! If you’re out there and reading this Murray, we hope you may be able to join us next Tuesday at the launch of the Cork International Choral Festival where the details of this winning composer will be unveiled.

Both established and emerging composers, born or resident in Ireland, were welcomed to apply. Assessment took place anonymously, and the panel in 2010 consisted of Roxanna Panufnick (commissioned composer 2010), Rhona Clarke (Seminar Chairperson) and Paul Hillier (Artistic Director and Conductor, National Chamber Choir of Ireland.)

The Seán Ó Riada Competition was initiated in 1972 in recognition of the creative life and work of Seán Ó Riada (1931 - 1971).  Initially conceived as an encouragement to amateur adult Irish choirs to select and perform existing or newly composed original works in the Irish language, it developed in 1976 to become specifically a composition competition and in 1978 was further adapted to encourage Irish amateur choirs to commission original works from Irish composers for performance at the festival as part of the Seminar on Contemporary Choral Music. Previous winners of the competition include such well known names as Rhona Clarke, Séamas de Barra, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Michael McGlynn, and Kevin O’Connell.

After an absence of ten years, we are delighted to welcome back the Seán O’Riada Competition to the Festival in this new format and to see it encouraging new composition in Ireland.

Please note that the below call for applications has now dated and that the 2010 winner has been chosen.

What is the Seán Ó Riada Competition 2010?

The Seán O’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 the National Chamber Choir of Ireland.  The winning composition will be selected by a panel, comprising of composers and choral experts, and will become a featured work at the Seminar for New Choral Music (artists in residence – The National Chamber Choir of Ireland).  It will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, on Friday 30^th April.  The composer of the work will be invited to attend the festival as its guest and play an active part in the Seminar session.  Previous winners of the competition include such well known names as Rhona Clarke, Séamas de Barra, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Michael McGlynn, and Kevin O’Connell.

Composers born or resident in Ireland, are eligible to apply.  Applications are welcomed from both established and emerging composers.

What compositional parameters apply?

While the premiere performance of the will be given by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, a chamber choir of 16 voices, it should have the potential to be accessible for performance by a wider range of high standard amateur Irish choirs.  The following parameters apply.

• An original work
• Written for a capella choir
• Up to 5 minutes in duration
• 4 parts (SATB with option to include small divisi)
• The selected text may be original or existing.  Texts may be sacred or secular.  If a sacred text is chosen it should be non-liturgical in character.  Texts with an Irish link would be welcomed but equal consideration will be given to compositions which select texts from other sources.
• Any rights related to the use of existing/copyright texts are a matter for the composer to clarify, and receive permission for their use.

Presentation format of score?

Scores (if hand written) should be legible and suitable for duplication for performance and study purposes in maximum A4 format.  It would be preferable for the work to be presented in computerised notation (Sibelius or other) 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.

• All applications will be in hard copy and forwarded by registered post to the Cork International Choral Festival, Civic Trust House, 50 Pope’s Quay, Cork.
• The composer should use a pseudonym on the printed score.
• Three (3) copies of the score should be provided.
• The composer should retain the original manuscript.
• Each entry should be accompanied by a sealed envelope (one) which contains the name and contact details of the composer.  The pseudonym of the composer should be clearly detailed on the exterior of this envelope.
• Should the composer require confirmation of receipt, a pre addressed envelope to an address of the composer’s choice (utilising your pseudonym) or an independent email address, should be included with the application.  Festival staff will confirm receipt.
• Subsequent to the decision of the Assessment Board, the sealed envelope will be opened and the composer will be informed of the success or otherwise of their application.
• Confidentiality will be maintained by Festival staff about composers’ identities in relation to any specific queries received from the composer.

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?

• A Prize of €750 will be awarded to the winning composer.
• The winning composition will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, on Friday 30^th April.
• The composer will be invited to attend the Cork International Choral Festival as its guest, and to participate in the Seminar on New Choral Music (Choir-in-residence: National Chamber Choir).
• The selected composition will be analysed and presented at a full session of the Seminar on New Choral Music.
• Composer’s name added to the list of Seminar composers.  See www.corkchoral.ie for full list.
• The Seán Ó Riada Trophy will be presented to the winning composer.

Closing Date for receipt of applications?

Friday 12^th March 2010.

General Rules of Application

1. The composer gives permission to the Cork International Choral Festival to make sufficient copies of the composition for assessment, performance, and Seminar purposes.  The cost of such reproduction will accrue to the festival.
2. The Cork International Choral Festival will retain a copy of the selected score for archival purposes.
3. In the event of a successful submission, the composer agrees to attend the festival and to participate at the Seminar on New Choral Music in the presentation and analysis of the work.
4. The rights of the Premiere performance are assigned to the Cork International Choral Festival and the National Chamber Choir of Ireland.
5. No commission fee will apply to the CICF and the NCC in relation to the composition of the work.
6. No costs, apart from accommodation and meals, will accrue to the CICF and the NCC in relation to the composer’s attendance at the festival.  Any other costs will be the responsibility of the composer
7. Any performance of the composition during the festival may, without payment, be recorded and the festival shall be entitled to possession of any such recording.
8. The decision of the Assessment Panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding any aspect of its work.
9. The FITC or NCC accepts no legal responsibility in respect of anything pertaining to a composer’s participation in the festival.

Please contact the Festival Office for further information