The national competition structure provides choirs of a wide range of types, sizes and levels from throughout Ireland an opportunity to participate in the Cork International Choral Festival. As choirs may enter more than one competition over Festival weekend, choirs can make the most of performance opportunities and present a wider competition repertoire, whether participating in the Premier Competitions, the Light Jazz section, Church Music – or all three! With several Special Awards presented over the course of the Festival, choirs are also given an added incentive to explore contemporary Irish repertoire and works in Irish.
In addition to competition, choirs are also encouraged to avail of the opportunity to participate in public performances and sing at church visits during their stay in Cork. Irish choir members will furthermore have the unique opportunity of attending a diverse range of concerts and competitive sessions while at the Festival. Hear some of the world’s finest international choirs as they compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy, and then mingle with them after at the Festival Club!
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Our Schools Competitions continue to provide a platform for schools choirs all over the country to perform in this prestigious event, and by their participation to gain awareness of the wider choral community of which they are a part.
The closing date for National Competitions for the 2011 Cork International Choral Festival is 31st January 2011. For full details of entry see our application form.
Closing date National Competitions: 31st January of the festival year
Application forms for our next Festival can be downloaded here.
Competitions
- Premier National Competitions:
Premier National Competition for Chamber Choirs
Premier National Competition for Female Voice Choirs
Premier National Competition for Mixed Voice Choirs
Premier National Competition for Male Voice Choirs
Repertoire: Three contrasting a cappella works, which must represent an historically balanced and coherent range of styles and include an original work written after 1950.
- National Open Competition
General: Open to Adult Mixed Voice, Female Voice & Male Voice Choirs. Choirs entering any of the Premier National Competitions are excluded from entry. Minimum 16 Voices
Repertoire: Two contrasting works. One may be a piece which has a piano accompaniment.
- National Competition for Church Music
General: Open to Adult, Youth & Church Choirs. Minimum 16 Voices
Repertoire: Two contrasting pieces of sacred music from any period (Plainchant to modern). One piece may have instrumental accompaniment.
- National Competition for Youth Choirs
General: Minimum 20 Voices. Maximum age: 24.
Repertoire: Two contrasting works. One may be a piece which has a piano accompaniment.
- National Competition for Light, Jazz and Popular Music
General: Open to all Choral Groups. Minimum 4 Voices.
Repertoire: Two contrasting choral arrangements of Barbershop; Gospel Music; Jazz or Popular Music. Instrumental accompaniment is permitted. Electronic vocal amplification is not permitted. Choreographic movement is permitted.
- National Competitions for Schools:
Section 1: Primary School Choirs
Section 2: Equal Voice Post-Primary
Section 3: Mixed Voice Post-Primary
General: Number of voices unlimited.
Repertoire: Two contrasting works, one of which must have an Irish text. (A translation from another language is not acceptable). One may be a piece which has a piano accompaniment.
Music Purchase
Special Note: Each choir is advised to order music 2-3 months in advance of the National Competition Application deadline of 31st January. Penalties for the receipt of late music will be strictly adhered to.
Where an Irish work is sought, please refer to these lists made available by Contemporary Music Centre Ireland:
- Choral Works Level A (Accessible)
- Choral Works Level B (Moderately Difficult)
- Choral Works Level C (Difficult)
The Festival is pleased to recommend the following for the purchase of music:
Special Awards - Adult Competitions
Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy - National Choir of the Festival
Awarded to the best overall choir in the Premier National Competitions.
The winner of this Award will be invited to represent Ireland in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in the subsequent year provided they come within the Regulations of the Competition.
Trofaí Cuimhneacháin Philib Uí Laoghaire
(The Pilib Ó Laoghaire Memorial Trophy donated by Cór Cois Laoi)
Special award for the performance of a piece in Irish.
Perpetual Trophy for the Performance of Irish Contemporary Choral Music
(Donated by the Irish 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.
The John Mannion Memorial Trophy
(Donated by the family of John Mannion)
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the Premier Competition for Chamber Choirs.
Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy
(In Memory of Dr. Hans Waldemar Rosen)
Special Award for the performance of a work by Heinrich Schütz in the National or International Competitions.
Special Awards - Schools Competitions
John Cunningham Trophy
Awarded to the best overall School Choir.
The Association of Irish Choirs Trophy
Special Award for the performance of a piece in the National Schools Competitions.
Irish Federation of Musicians & Associated Professions Trophy
Special Award for the performance of a piece in Irish in the National Schools Competitions.
Application Form 2011: National Syllabus
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