In association with University College Cork

The winner of this year’s Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition was last night unveiled at the Cork International Choral Festival’s official Press Launch. The winner, who submitted their entry under the pseudonym EJD, was announced as 23 year old composer, Patrick Connolly, from Co. Louth.

Having obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in Applied music from DKIT in 2010, in which he specialised in composition under the tutelage of Dr. Ian Wilson, Patrick moved on to undertake an MA (by research) in composition at DKIT with Dr. Eibhlis Farrell, which he is currently completing. Patrick has also attended master classes by Elaine Agnew and attended the Irish Composition Summer school where he studied with Kevin O’ Connell and Kevin Volans. Several of Patrick’s pieces have been performed publicly, including pieces performed by the Contempo quartet as well as the Quiet Music Ensemble. Patrick is also a member of the Irish Composers Collective.

This years judging panel consisted of Paul Hillier (Conductor, National Chamber Choir of Ireland), Siobhán Cleary (renowned Irish Composer) and Rhona Clarke (Seminar Chairperson and famed composer).  Siobhan Cleary remarked that while it was a difficult job overall to choose one piece, she found the winning composition stood out from the beginning. “The piece stuck out from the very first shortlist.  It had a very atmospheric word setting”. Rhona Clarke noted that ‘Geimhridh’ stood out for its “strong, choral language” and found the piece had a very definite and individual style, with great attention to detail.

'Geimhridh' will be premiered by the National Chamber Choir as part of their Gala Performance, Friday 29th April at this year’s Cork International Choral Festival. Rhona Clarke spoke of the great opportunity this affords the winning composer. "It gives them a terrific platform to ear their piece and for their composition to be sung by Ireland’s premier chamber group. I’m really looking forward to the performance.”

The 2011 Seán O’Riada Competition is a composition competition which invites the submission of new works from Irish composers and is collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and choir in residence, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland.  The winning composition becomes a featured work at the Seminar for New Choral Music and will receive its premiere performance during the Festival on Friday 29th April at the National Chamber Choir of Ireland Gala Concert at Cork City Hall at 7.30pm.