Many applications were received for this prestigious international competition each year, and the selected choirs for 2011 joined us from all corners of the world. Representing Czech Republic, Ireland, Korea, Latvia, Philippines, Slovenia and Switzerland, 2011 competitors really turned up the heat for this internationally renowned award.
Ad Hoc Chorale, Ireland
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Ad Hoc Chorale was started in 2003 and has, in the last seven years gained a national reputation that a full-time professional choir would be proud of.· Ad Hoc have taken part in numerous competitions over the years and taken major awards in New Ross, Sligo and Cork.
They were successful in the Cork International Choral festival in 2008 and again this year 2010 where they won first prize in the Premier Mixed Voice competition and were named National Choir of the festival, a first for a Waterford Choir.
This mixed choir which contains a blend of youth and experience likes to perform a wide variety of music ranging from early to contemporary.· They have also had the privilege of performing works written for them by members of the choir, notably Ben Hanlon and Greg Scanlon.
The name Ad Hoc alludes to the fact that when the choir began, the members only intended to perform for fun, on special occasions. Their audiences convinced them to become a fully fledged choir and Waterford music is all the richer for that.
APZ Tone Tomšič University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
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APZ Tone Tomšič University of Ljubljana unites students from all Departments of the University of Ljubljana which share a great love of singing and an unceasing wish to perform at the highest artistic level. The choir continues the tradition of the Akademski pevski zbor v Ljubljani (Academic Choir of the University of Ljubljana) founded in 1926 by FrSince its beginnings APZ Tone Tomšič has been one of those directing Slovenian choral singing, not only as far as its performance and technique are concerned but also because of its choice of programme. The choir’s repertoire includes works from all musical periods, and special attention is given to modern choral music.ance Marolt. Since October 2009 it is led by conductor Sebastjan Vrhovnik.·APZ with its commissions and competitions encourages both young and already acknowledged Slovenian composers to create new pieces and with first performances of their works, furthers the recognition of Slovenian choral music at home and abroad.
The choir confirms its quality with successful performances at many festivals and competitions both in Slovenia and abroad and has won many prizes in the last ten years: Gorizia/Gorica, 2001, Varna, 2001, First prize at the competition Grand Prix of Europe in 2002 in Arezzo and Debrecen, 2008, International Choral Festival, Tampere Finland, 2003, Cantonigros, Spain, 2005, NAŠA PESEM, Slovenia, 2005, International Choral Competition C.A. Seghizzi, Italy, 2005, Varna, 2005, Grand Prix Basilica di Aquilcia, Italy, 2005,· Debrecen, Hungary, Grand Prize of Europe, 2008, Olomouc, Czech Republic,· April, 2009, Cantonigrós, Spain in July 2010 and Grand Prix of Rimini 2010.
For its achievements and merit on the state level, APZ Tone Tomšič received the highest national award ZLATI ČASTNI ZNAK and The Golden Sign of the Public Fund of Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities·
Canticum Novum, Czech Republic
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Canticum Novum was founded thanks to the Polish Artistic Society Ars Musica and has been in existence since September 1999. The founder and its Artistic director is Dr.Leszek Kalina.· At present the choir has 60 members aged between 18-40 years. Prof. Alojzy Suchanek (famous pedagogy voice specialist) also works with the choir. The repertoire of the choir consists of polyphonic, classicist and romanticist works, arrangements of folklore songs and dance music, contemporary and experimental works – in a word, the ensemble tries to create maximal genre variety and repertoire universality.
The choir is a member of Musical and Choral Organization of Polish Choirs in the Tišín region and also, of The Association of Choirs and Orchestras in Warsaw and of the Union of the Czech Choirs.
The most important successes of Canticum Novum are:
2010 - The Gold and Silver Medals in Festa Musicale in Olomouc 2009 - Second and 3rd place in one of the most prestigious European Competitions – 48th International Musical Competition Seghizzi in Gorizia (Italy) 2008 -··· Three Silver Levels at 20th International Competition of Academical Choirs in Pardubice 2008 -··· The Gold Diploma in IV International Competition Gaude Cantem in Bielsku-Biala 2007 -··· Third prize in Mixed Choirs Competition, Fourth prize in Female Choirs and Folk Song Parts Competitions in one of the most prestigious European competition – XXV International Musical Competition in Cantonigròs (Spain) 2005 - First place in the award for the best conductor in the competition of Rybnik Coral Autumn (Poland)
Cois Cladaigh, Ireland
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Founded in 1982, Cois Cladaigh specialises in contemporary choral music and European music from the late 15th and early 16th centuries.· The choir has performed extensively throughout Ireland and also regularly tours Europe having visited France and Italy three times, Belgium and Germany twice and single visits to Wales, Portugal, The Netherlands the U.S.A. and the Czech Republic, Derry, Spain, Estonia and Poland.· Cois Cladaigh’s most recent visit was to Essen in June, 2010 where they represented Ireland in the European City of Culture choral extravaganza.· They are planning a second trip to Spain in October 2011, where Seville is their destination. The choir’s tours have invariably been a great success due to the blend of both European and Irish choral music with traditional Irish song and dance music, as there are some excellent musicians and traditional singers within the choir’s ranks.
Cois Cladaigh’s tour to Estonia in 2007 was a particular success and the choir was greatly honoured by Arvo Pärt, who attended our concert in Tallinn and met with all the singers. The choir also met with composers Veljo Tormis and Urmas Sisask on the same trip.
Cois Cladaigh has often been successful in competition, winning the premier national award on four occasions at Ireland’s most important choral event, the Cork International Choral Festival. The choir has also won numerous other competitions at the same festival, including the chamber choir and the church music sections.· Cois Cladaigh has competed five times in the international section of the Cork International Choral Festival and in 2009 won the Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy for Best Song in this competition.
The choir takes an active role in commissioning new works.· Irish based composers such as John Buckley, Micheál Ó Súilleabháin, Hugh Kelly, Marion Ingoldsby, Martin O’Leary, Peter Michael Hamel, Jenny Walshe, Eamonn Murray, Br. Ben Hanlon, Ann Hoban, Emily Magner and Máire Ní Dhuibhir have been commissioned. The New Zealand composer, David Hamilton has also written for the choir, as has the Basque composer, Javier Busto, who wrote a piece to celebrate the choir’s 20th anniversary. The most recent commission is by the U.S. composer Mathew Harris.
In 2007, Cois Cladaigh organised a three concert tour in Ireland by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.· In 2009, Cois Cladaigh joined with PipeWorks and organised a tour to Ireland by the all male USA vocal ensemble, Chanticleer.
Imusicapella, The Philippines
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Formed in 2002, Imusicapella is a church choir that regularly sings at the Imus Cathedral and at the St. Peregrine Chapel in Imus, Cavite.· It is a non-profit, amateur, self-supporting choir composed of young professionals and students coming from Imus and its nearby towns in Cavite, under the leadership of Tristan Ignacio.
Imusicapella has had three international concert tours embarked in 2003, 2005 and 2007 in countries such as U.S.A., Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic.· They won a total of seven First Prizes, two Grand Prix Awards and six Special Prizes in International Choral Competitions in San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.A.;Montreux and Neuchatel, Switzerland; Marktoberdorf and Lindenholzhausen Germany; and Sopot, Poland. They also participated in several International Choral Festivals in Jihlava, Czech Republic; Burgos and Vitoria, Spain; Alzenau, Germany; and Nancy, France.
·They also participated in several International Choral Festivals in Jihlava, Czech Republic; Burgos and Vitoria, Spain; Alzenau, Germany; and Nancy, France.
The choir has recorded three CDs in Germany.· Its purpose is to continuously promote, advance and uphold Philippine culture, in the country and internationally, through an abiding commitment to choral excellence.· They have become steadfast in their goal of attaining choral distinction and recognition as one of the Philippines’ finest vocal ensembles.
Männerstimmen Basel, Switzerland
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Männerstimmen Basel is a young men’s choir from Basel, Switzerland, consisting of twenty two singers aged between 20 and 30. It was formed in 2008 by former singers of the Knabenkantorei Basel.· The motive to form a young male choir originated from the need to continue singing with people of the same age group after leaving the Knabenkantorei.· Yet the quality of singing had to match the high standards, experience and training received at the Knabenkantorei.
Männerstimmen Basel’s aim is to take a prominent place among Swiss shoirs. One step in this direction has been achieved by the choir, by celebrating its first successes on national and international stages.
At the 2008 Swiss Choir Festival in Weinfelden, they were rated “Excellent” by the jury and at the International Choir Festival Tallinn (Estonia) 2009, the Männerstimmen were honoured by winning first prize for best male choir.· In addition to a second prize in the competition of the 2010 Ohrid Choir Festival (Macedonia) the Männerstimmen were awarded the prize for best interpretation of a contemporary piece of music (Lux aurumque – Eric Whitacre).· Furthermore, the Männerstimmen Basel contributed to radio broadcasts for the Swiss radio stations DRS 1, Radio Suisse Romande and Radio Rumantsch.
Männerstimmen Basel present a varied program including works from the last five centuries – from traditional classical male voice music to modern finds.
The Conductor
Oliver Rudin was born in Basel on 3rd March, 1981 and studied violin, choir conducting and music education with Rudolf Barshai, Alexender van Wijnkoop, Jost Meier and Raphael Immoos at the Basel Academy of Music.· In addition, he attended several Master classes with Edith Kraft at the Juilliard School for Music in New York.· In Autumn 2007, he concluded his post-graduate studies with a “Master of Advanced Studies” in cultural management at the University of Basel.
Riga Chamber Choir, Latvia
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Riga Chamber Choir has contributed significantly to Latvian culture and education.· Gunta Malevica is the chief conductor of Riga choir since 1983. The choir holds concerts at the most prominent concert halls of Latvia, such as the Latvian Philharmonic and the Dome Cathedral. Riga Chamber Choir has a good work experience with many cultural, concert and educational organisations of Europa and U.S., particularly with AMJ and Europa Cantat.
Since 1992, concert tours, choral competitions, choir exchanges and master classes have led the Riga choir to many countries including: Germany (2010), France 2009, United Kingdom and Lithuania (2007), Italy (2006 & 2005), Finland (2003), Hungary (2002),··· U.S.A. (1997), Denmark (1996), Sweden (1994) and Spain (1992).
These trips have included many prestigious choral competitions, including:· Seghizzi in Italy, Béla Bartók International Choral Competition in Hungary, Europa Cantat Festival in Austria and Germany, DeKalb Festival in Atlanta-USA and the Tolosa International Choir Contest in Spain
Seocho Baumoe Female Choir, Korea
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Founded in 1986, Seocha Baumoe Female Choir is the representative singing group of Seocho-Gu, one of the districts of the metropolitan city of Seoul.· Every year Baumoe runs their annual concert, sings in various charity parties and the Friday night events hosted by Seocho-Gu in co-operation with other music groups and the chamber orchestra of the community.· Baumoe is also invited to various national festivals and competitions.
Starting with winning the silver and bronze medal in the competition of First and Second World Choir Games respectively in Linz, Austria (2000), in Busan, Korea (2002), Baumoe became the winner of many reputed national competitions, like Taebak, Gumi, Geojedo Competition.
In 2009, Baumoe won the grand prize in the competition of LG Huissen Choral Festival. In October this year Baumoe won the grand prize in the female choir competition held in Woolsan city.
Baumoe is conducted by Mr. Ki-Wan Ro.
Stockholm’s Musikgymnasium Chamber Choir, Sweden
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The different choirs of Stockholms Musikgymnasium (Upper Secondary School of Music) play a prominent part in the musical life of Stockholm and are involved in projects with production companies, “Rikskonserter” and the Swedish Radio. They have held concerts at Stockholm´s tri-annual New Music Festival. International contacts have resulted in concert tours to among other places Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Estonia, China and South Africa. Founded in 1959, the Stockholm´s Musikgymnasium was an integrated part of the music classes of the Adolf Fredrik School for many years. In 1984, however, the Stockholm’s Musikgymnasium music classes were relocated to the since then beautifully renovated jugend style school of 1902 at Kungsholmen in Stockholm.
he Chamber choir was founded in 1989, by Gary Graden, who was at the time, music teacher at the school and wanted to offer the students extended experiences in choral singing, as a complement to the regular choral education. It has, since then, gained a wide-spread reputation and has won several international competitions, including Neumünster in Germany (1990), Tours in France (1991) and Riva del Garda in Italy (1992).· Another highlight in the choir’s history was the invitation to the IFCM (International Federation of Choral Music) Symposium in Ljubljana in 1995, where the Chamber choir represented Sweden. In 1997 the Stockholm’s Musikgymnasium Chamber Choir was invited to the Vatican’s annual Christmas Concert. It was televised and broadcast in several countries and seen by millions of people!
In 2002, the conductor Gary Graden retired from the choir after twelve years of loyal duty. Helene Stureborg, conductor and music teacher at the school since 1990, replaced him and hopes to continue the successful work with this talented choir. Since then, they have produced a CD (released in October, 2010).· They have been successful in the choral competition in Tours, have performed in Usedomer Musikfestival, have won choral competitions in Marktoberdorf in 2009, and have toured several times in Berlin.· The choir has of course hosted many concerts. In spring 2010 they went on a tour with Andrea Bocelli in Oslo, Copenhagen and Stockholm.
The Mornington Singers, Ireland
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The Mornington Singers is a mixed-voice choir based in Dublin. The choir has thirty-five singers from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities including Ireland, England, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and the USA. Awarded the Grand Prix at Sligo International Choral Festival in 2009, 1st prize in lyric fm’s ‘Choirs for Christmas’ Competition in December 2008, and 3rd prize in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in 2008, The Mornington Singers has established itself as one of Ireland's leading choirs. The choir performs a wide range of choral music, with a particular focus on a cappella repertoire from the 20th and 21st centuries
In October 2010 the choir released its third CD, Water Night. Other recent highlights have included a tour to Slovenia in 2009 for the Maribor International Choral Competition, workshops with internationally renowned groups and conductors including Péter Erdei, László Nemes and Chanticleer, and a soundtrack recording for Conor Mc Pherson’s film The Eclipse. The choir has been conducted by Orla Flanagan since 2002. A lecturer in music at Trinity College Dublin, Orla studied choral conducting in Hungary with Péter Erdei. She also directs Milltown Chamber Choir, a nine-voice professional vocal ensemble based in Milltown Church, Dublin, and has recorded and performed as a guest conductor with the National Chamber Choir of Ireland.· The Mornington Singers are very much looking forward to their return to Cork Choral Festival.
Cork International Choral Festival is proudly supported by: