Choirs at Christchurch

Featuring

Octuor Vocal de Sion SWITZERLAND 

and

APZ Tone Tomsic University of Ljubljana  SLOVENIA

Octuor Vocal de Sion

Conductor: Rev. Francois - Xavier Amherdt

Swiss male Choir Octuor Vocal de Sion celebrate their 35th year this year, and take part in the Cork International Choral Festival after many successful appearances in International festivals across Europe and Canada.

Established in 1976 by the conductor Rev. Francois - Xavier Amherdt, the choir's penchant for eclecticism is displayed through their exciting performances and diverse collection of recordings, which include anniversary albums, an album of seasonal  carols as well as a range of a cappella recordings. Today's program

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PROGRAMME

Sviat . A. Archangelsky, 1846 - 1924

Duo Seraphim . J. GALLUS, 1550 - 1591

Ave Maria. F. BIEBL, 1906 - 2001

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho.   Trad

Tequila. THE CHAMPS/ arr. J. C. BROCCARD

J'ai encore reve d'elle. arr E GILLOZ

Don't worry, be happy. B. MC FERRIN, 1950 -

Soul Man. BEN UNCLE SOUL, 1950-

APZ Tone Tomsic University Ljubljana

SLOVENIA

Conductor: Sebastjan Vrhovnik

Since its beginnings in 1926, APZ Tone Tomšič has been one of the driving forces directing Slovenian choral singing, not only as far as its performance and technique are concerned but also because in terms of programming and the genres and styles of music being performed.

The choir have enjoyed a highly successful career to date, and in the last ten years in particular, have been awarded honours at many European Festivals. APZ Tone Tomšič Choir's repertoire includes works from all musical periods, with particular attention paid to modern styles of choral
music.

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Admission: Unticketed and free of charge

PROGRAMME

Ave Maria. JAAKKO MANTYJARVI, 1963 -

O Be Joyful In The Lord. EDWIN FISSINGER, 1920 - 1990

Kasar Mie La Gaji.; ALBERTO GRAU, 1937 -

The Conversation of Saul. Z. Randall STROOPE, 1953 -

Nachtwache II. JOHANNES BRAHMS, 1833 - 1897

Vodometi.   TADEJA VULC, 1978 -

Ce bi jaz bila fcelica.Folk song arr. TDEJA VULC

This evening's performance by Swiss ensemble Octuor Vocal de Sion will be held in the Lewis Glucksman Gallery, a cultural and educational institution that promotes the research, creation and exploration of the visual arts. 

Located within the grounds of University College Cork on Western Road, the Glucksman is an award winning building with a range of multi functional exhibition and performance spaces.

Octuor Vocal de Sion carry a wide repetoire of sacred music including Orthodox and Latin liturgies as well as spiritual music from around the world. This evenings performance will include a range of works that span the centuries, from 16th century composer Jacobus Gallus to popular contemporary composer Bobby Mc Ferrin.

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Admission: Unticketed and free of charge

IRD Duhallow is a community based intgrated rural development company. For more info visit www.irdduhallow.com

Admission: Tickets €5 available at the door and in advance from IRD Duhallow 087 - 6729648/ 029 - 60633

This year the Cork International Choral Festival is delighted to expand it's boundaries even further into the county, with a  delightful evening of sacred music in the picturesque village of Kanturk in north west Cork. Hosted by IRD Duhallow, a local rural  development company, the concert will be held in the atmospheric 19th century, Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Performing tonight will be the Czech choir Canticum Novum. Founded in 1999 under the artistic direction of Dr. Leszek Kalina, Canticum Novum have risen to become a true force in European choral music, and come to Cork this year to compete in the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The ensemble takes a broad approach to it's repetoire, incorporating a wide variety of choral genres. Tonight's programme reflects this diversity, incorporating elements of classicist and romanticist styles, new arrangements of traditional folk songs and music as well as some contemporary  experimentations on sacred and spiritual wqrks.

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PROGRAMME

Tota pulchra es Maria . GREZEGORZ G. GORCZYCKI, 1667 - 1734

Pater noster . ZDENEK LUKAS, 1928 - 2007

Ojcze nasz . STANISLAW MONIUZKO, 1819 - 1872

Os iusti . ANTON BRUCKNER, 1824 - 1896

Salve Regina - FRANCIS POULENC, 1899 - 1963

Bogorodice djewo . SERGEJ RACHMANINOW, 1873 - 1943

Ave Maris Stella  . EDVARD H. GREIG, 1843 - 1907

Parce Domine . FELIKS NOWOWIEJSKI, 1887 - 1946

Cantate Domino .JOHN RUTTER, 1945 -

Regna coeli . ROMAULD TWARDOWSKI, 1930 -

Jerycho . JESTER HAIRSTOWN 1901 - 2000

Founded in 1974 by Per - Hakan Jansson at Abo Akademi University, The Academic Student· Choir Pedavoces is the only Swedish - speaking mixed academic student choir in Finland. Consisting· of approximately 40 singers, and conducted by Maria Timoshenko, the choir has participated in many international competitions, including the 2006 Malta International Choir Competition. This is their first visit to the Cork International Choral Festival.

The academic Student Choir Pedavoces has recorded two full length CD's, the first in 1997 being a compilation of songs from the choir's standard repetoire and the latter, in 2003, a Christmas- themed recording with a mix of songs in Swedish, Finnish, English and Latin. Performing in the fitting venue of the Honan Chapel, UCC, the choir presents a beautiful repetoire of hymns, psalms and traditional folk songs from around the world

The Young Children's Choir of Viimsi Secondary School come to Cork for the first time as part of this year's festival. From it's establishment in 1974 by Elle Toper, and in more recent times under the direction of conductor Age Toomsalu,· the choir has been a regular participant at all local youth and national youth competitions, and has performed on numerous occasions at important national celebrations and festivals.

Today's concert, performed in one of the city's oldest buildings, presents a charming programme of works by contemporary composers.

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FRIDAY 29TH APRIL , 2011, 1.10PM

CHRISTCHURCH , TRISKEL ARTS CENTRE

Choirs at Christchurch

featuring

Jubilant Gospel Girls ITALY

and

Stockholms Musikgymnasium

Chamber Choir SWEDEN

Jubilant Gospel Girls ITALY

Conducto: Nicole Petra Papa

From humble beginngs· in 1997 as a small church group. Director and conductor· Nicole Petra Papa has developed Jubilant Gospel Girls into a strong ensemble concentrating in the main on contemporary gospel and spiritual music, as well as material from musicals and jazz styles. The choir have performed at countless civic and private events throughout Milan in the last number of years.

This uplifting performance will include a range of styles from traditional spirituals to contemporary gospel, passing through rock and pop along the way.

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PROGRAMME

Everlasting God . BRENTON BROWN

Medley Old Gospel . Traditional Gospel

Gonna be a lovely day . KIRK FRANKLIN 1970 -

My lif's in your hands . KIRK FRANKLIN 1970 -

Shackles . · MARY MARY

He knows . CECE ROGERS . 1962 -

Seasojns of love . JOHNATHON LARSON 1960 - 1996

Salve Regina .Trad arr. MARK SHAIMAN 1959 -

Fly . JUBILANT GOSPEL GIRLS

Stockholm's Musikgymnasium

Chamber Choir SWEDEN

Conductor: Helene Sturborg

Stockholm's Musikgymnasium Chamber Choir make a welcome return to Cork this year after an all singing, all dancing performance in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in 2008, where they also performed at the Shandon Sunrise.

Founded in 1989 by Gary Graden, the choir is one of the several from Stockholm's Musikgymnasium (Upper Secondary School of Music) and play a prominent part in the musical life of Stockholm, taking part in festivals, concerts, TV and radio projects.

Stockholms Musikgymnasium Chamber Choir have gained a widespread reputation, following a premiere awards competitions at International competition and bring their colourful performance of traditional folk and spirituals to Christchurch this lunchtime.

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Admission: Unticketed and free of charge

PROGRAMME

Maria Rubens rosa . OLA GJEILO 1978 -

Kristallen den Fina . Folktune/ arr D. WIKANDER

Salve Regina . FRANCIS POULENC 1899 - 1963

Kristallen den Fina . Trad/ arr NILS LINDBERG 1933 -

Sequentia de Virgine Maria . JANOS VAJDA 1949 -

Kristallen den Fina . Trad/ arr GUNNARERIKSSON 1936 -

Tota pulchra es . OLA GJEILO 1978 -

FRIDAY 29TH APRIL 2011, 1.10PM

CURTIS AUDITORIUM, CIT CORK SCHOOL OF MUSIC

featuring:

Music for Two  Pianos

 Brian MacNamara and

Padhraic O Cuinneagain IRELAND

Mallow Art Alliance hosts tonight's programme of music by Israeli ensemble, Regavim Choir, in the historic 19th century St. Mary's Church. Founded in 1818, the church was extensively renovated in the mid 1970's and 1980's and is situated on the main street in the centre of the town.

Regavim Choir was founded in 1983 in Tel Aviv, by conductor Maestro Ze'ev Ulman and a group of fellow music lovers. The choir participates regularly in TV and radio broadcasts, at national and municipal events, and has in the past collaborated with eminent Israeli musicians.

A mixed ensemble, Regavim Choir presents a varied repetoire of Hebrew secular and liturgical pieces for this evenings concert, as well as folk songs from various countries, gospel, jazz, and more classical choral works. Performing their repetoire partly to piano accompaniment and partly a capello, the choir bring their unique arrangements and a splash of middle- eastern colour to St. Marys Church in Mallow, as part of this years Cork International Choral Festival.

SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 2011, 1.10PM

CURTIS AUDITORIUM

CIT CORK SCHOOL OF MUSIC

featuring

Madrigal '75 Vocal Ensemble: Wondrous Love

Director: James Taylor

Based in Cork City and founed in 1975 by university students, Madrigal '75 Vocal Ensemble comprises a diverse combination of singers from many different walks of life. With a repetoire ranging from early to modern music, both sacred and secular, Madrigal '75 has developed a reputation for being  an ensemble of great skill and beauty, performing arrangements from as early as the 14th century right through to contemporary choral works.

Madrigal '75 count services in London at St. Paul's Cathedral, and Southwark Cathedral among it's performances, and in 2005 was a vibrant participant in the Cork European Capital of Culture events. The group was also awarded the honour of touring France as cultural ambassadors for the city. Other successes include best choir at the Montreaux Festival, several Best Performances and the first prize awards at successive Cork International Choral Festivals, and the Irish Choir of the Year award.

The choir has performed with several of Ireland's leading ensembles, including the RTE Vanbrugh string Quartet and the Orchestra of St. Cecilia. In 2008 the choir presented the closing concert of the prestigious East Cork Early Music Festival.

Organist and harpsichordist, James Taylor, has directed the group since Janiuary 2007. James currently lectures at CIT Cork School of Music and s the Assistant Director of music at St. Fin barre's Cathedral, Cork having held previous posts in the UK, New Zealand and Canada.

Madrigal '75 has enjoyed capacity houses at their recent concerts in the CIT Cork School of Music, where they regularly perform repetoire from the Renaissance period, madrigals, baroque vocal music, sacred music and contemporary choral works.

Shandon Bell's will once again host a dawn chorus this May Day, welcoming the first day of Summer in our much - loved Shandon Sunrise event.

At 06.05am, sunrise on Sunday 1st May, the dawn will be met with a chorus of voices, singing from the bell tower of the iconic church of St Anne's Shandon to mark the ancient celebratin of the first day of summer. This unique performance is organised by the congregation and has become a much loved annual event. It is suggested that people wishing to attend arrive at 5.50am.

Admission: Unticketed and free of charge

*Please note that due to space constraints, public will not be admitted to bell tower itself. However, the performance can be enjoyed from beneath Shandon as well as at the Mass that follows.

The College of Clerks Choral in Youghal is an ancient institution, founded in 1464 by Thomas, Earl of Desmond. The college orignally consisted of eight fellows and eight singing clerks, but over the centuries this choral foundation was dissolved and reinstated a number of times. Finally, a large parish choir, the previous inheritor of this long choral tradition, folded up in the 1970's and the organ that was in the High Chancel was removed some time later. However, in 2006, the clerks Choral was reinstated as choir to sing regularly in this ancient church. In 2007 a magnificent organ, built in the eighteenth and ninteenth centuries, was acquired from a closed church in the city of Bristol and placed at the head of the great Nave in the Collegiate church. The clerks Choral often gives secular recitals and RTE live broadcassts, in addition to the regular work  of ther choir.

PROGRAMME

Bow Thine ear O Lord .   WILLIAM BYRD (C. 1539 - 1623)

Motet, Bow thine ear .  HENRY PURCELL (1659 - 1695)