Initiated in 1998 by the Cork International Choral Festival and the Arts Officers of Cork Corporation and Cork County Council, Composers-in-the-Classroom is designed to offer music students and their teachers the opportunity to work, in their own classrooms, with professional composers throughout the school year. The scheme is designed to complement the general music studies curriculum at senior cycle and has proved of special interest to students taking the higher elective in composition in the new Leaving Certificate syllabus.

Students are required to listen to a wide range of music, analysing and discussing various elements. For the teacher, this residency provides an opportunity to work alongside a professional composer, discussing and developing approaches to creative composition in the classroom. The residency culminates in a seminar held as part of the Cork International Choral Festival. Compositions, created by the participating students are performed.

2007
Bishopstown Community School, Bishopstown, Cork - Composer: Irene Buckley
St. Aidan's Community College, Dublin Hill, Cork - Composer: John Spillane
Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork - Composer: Louise McCarthy
Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co. Cork - Composer:  Ann Cleare
Regina Mundi College - Composer: Irene Buckley

2006
Carrigaline Community School, Co Cork - Composer: John Spillane
Coláiste an Chroí Naofa, Carraig na bhFear, Co Cork - Composer: Irene Buckley
St Aloysius School, St. Maries of the Isle, Cork - Composer: Louise McCarthy

2005
Coláiste an Chraoibhín, Fermoy, Co Cork - Composer: John Spillane
Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Co Cork - Composer: Irene Buckley
North Presentation Secondary School, Farranree, Cork - Composer: John Spillane
Ursuline Convent Secondary School, Blackrock, Cork - Composer: Irene Buckley

2004
Mayfield Community School, Cork
Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Blarney, Co. Cork

2003
Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork
Glanmire Community College, Co. Cork
Coláiste Cholim, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Bishopstown Community School, Cork

2002
Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane
Carrigaline Community School, Cork
St. Angela's College, Sion Hill
Coachford Community College, Macroom

2001
Kinsale Community School, Co. Cork
Kinsale Community School, Co. Cork
Ursuline Convent, Blackrock, Cork

2000
St. Aloysius College, Carrigtwohill
St. Aloysius School, Cork
St. Marys Secondary School, Mallow, Co. Cork

1999
Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk, Co. Cork
Loreto Convent, Youghal, Co. Cork
St. Vincents Secondary School, Cork

1998
Ursuline Convent, Blackrock, Cork
Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane