Cork International Choral Festival together with the National Chamber Choir of Ireland are delighted to announce the return of the Seán O’Riada Competition in 2010.

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