News:

December 2011

Wishing you a Peaceful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year

Nollaig Shona agus Áthbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh

Please note that the Festival Office will be closed
from Friday 23rd December to Tuesday 3rd January 2012.

News:

November 2011

Please note·that the deadline for the Non-competitive strand of the 2012 Cork International Choral Festival is fast approaching and closes on the 30th of November 2011.·

Come play your part...

Looking to involve your choir without the pressure of competition? Then Cork is the perfect place for you next May. Much more than a competition, the choral festival is very much about celebrating and sharing the magic of choral and vocal music with as many people as possible. Each year the festival welcomes a diverse range of choirs from all over the world to perform as part of its non-competitive programme, sample the famous festival atmosphere and participate in a vibrant and varied range of performances and events. Come, share your voices and culture, and be a part of one of the most diverse, festive and fun choral events in Europe. Read more...

News:

November 2011

Applications from almost 15 countries have been received for the 2012 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, stretching from the U.S.A to the Philippines.

With a great range and diversity of applications, November brings some tough choices for the festival's artistic team as they set to the task of examining our talented entrants, and selecting the choirs which will compete for the prestigious Fleischmann title in Cork next May.

Read more...

News:

August 2011

As·one of Europe’s premier choral festivals·the·Cork International Choral Festival in Ireland has long been·attracting choirs from all over the world to participate, either as part of the prestigious··Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, in the hugely popular·Non-competitive Strand, or in Ireland's very own·National Competitions.

Next year's festival takes place from·2nd - 6th·May 2012·-will you be joining us to take part in this celebration of choral music? Cork welcomes choirs from across the world for a programme of choral concerts, national and international competition, and internationally renowned performances as thousands of participants bring the city to life for five days in May. For visiting choirs, Cork provides an opportunity not only to perform; but also to·experience some of·the world's best choral music, soak up the·atmosphere and enjoy the mingling, singing and fun of the Festival, and explore the vibrant city of Cork and its surrounds onIreland’s beautiful south coast.

Click·here to download the·2012·International Application Forms(competitive & non-competitive)

Click here to download the·2012 National Competitions Application Form

News:

October 2011

Choral singing is good for the soul, it heightens our sense of well-being, gives a warm feeling of togetherness and is said to increase the production of endorphins and adrenaline. All in all, the simple act of group singing promotes positive mental health·and brings happiness to people across the globe.

The 10^th of October marks World Mental Health Day, which this year co-incides with National Choral Singing Week, taking place the 8th - 16th October. As part of dozens of celebrations across the country, Cork International Choral Festival will present a special performance by Voices of Cork for patients of St Michael's Psychiatric Unit at Cork's Mercy University Hospital.·

Voices of Cork, a four part harmony choir, was founded in 2005. Find out more about the choir...·

News:
July 2011

The Big Sing for World Refugee Day·was a great success, with over 60 people from Cork's newest communities turning out at Camden Palace on Monday 20th June, to celebrate the common thread between every culture, tradition, and religion - the inspirational power of the human voice.

Read more here...

News:
July 2011

We've been busy over the summer compiling our best of the best of the multimedia memories floating around festival HQ, and our·Facebook page features a collection of this years photos highlights and video clips for all to enjoy.

However for all our non Facebook fans, we've put together a short slideshow of magic moments you may or may not have managed to squeeze in,·which you can find here. Enjoy!

News:
June 2011

On Monday 20^th June, Cork International Choral Festival in association with NASC and EDA Cork will host·The Big Sing for·World Refugee Day with renowned·conductor John O’Brien, as part of a series of events being held in Cork dedicated to raising awareness of the situation for refugees throughout the world.

We invite·you to come and lend your voice to this unique event and in doing so celebrate the common thread between every culture, tradition, and religion - the inspirational power of the human voice.
In what will be·a free and public event at Camden Palace Hotel, renowned Cork conductor John O’Brien will teach a specially selected song to the massed choir of participants in just 45 minutes. You don’t need to be able to sing, you don’t need to know the song, and no preparation is necessary - just bring your voice!·Read More...

News:
May 2011

For the past week, Cork has been alive with the sound of over 4,000 singers from across the world, as more than 50 venues featured over 85 different events for young and old alike. We are absolutely thrilled with the success of this year's Festival and, on behalf of the Organising Committee, would like to thank all the volunteers and supporters who made it happen.

We would also like to thank all of the choirs who participated in this year's event and sung across City and County; from concert halls, castles and cathedrals, to galleries, libraries, churches, and even from the top of Shandon Bells! A special congratulations to this year's prize winning choirs; we are pleased that all of the competition results of are now online and can be found by clicking here.

Photos and videos of the Festival will go online over the next month. Please sign up to our newsletter to stay tuned.·

We extend our thanks to all the sponsors of this year's raffle:·Ardfallen Pharmacy, Butler’s Irish Chocolates, Clancy’s Bar & Restaurant, Cllr Catherine Clancy, Cllr Mick Finn, Fleming’s Pharmacy, Irish Distillers, Irish Hotels Federation, Jane O’ Hagan, The Medical Centre, Johnson & Johnson, Lily & Clara’s Boutique, Michael McGrath TD, Micheál Martin TD, Neil Bowen, O’Driscoll’s Supermarket, Ballinlough,·Origin Hair Design, Simon Coveney TD, and Maldron Hotel Cork

The results are now online and can be found here.

News:
April 2011

The day by day Event Guide of this year's Festival, 27th April-1st May, can be downloaded by clicking on the picture on the left.

...over 85 events including Gala & Fringe Concerts, International and National competitions, the Choral Trail, Church Visits, Seminar on New Choral Music, workshops, and much more!! 

News:
April 2011

The winner of this year’s Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition was last night unveiled at Cork International Choral Festival’s official Press Launch.

The winner, who submitted their entry under the pseudonym 'EJD', was last night announced as 23 year old composer, Patrick Connolly, from Louth.

Read more here...

Ethna Barror (1915 - 2011)

News:

March 2011

The death of Ethna Barror, conductor of the Lindsay Singers, on Thursday 17 February 2011 in her 96^thyear ·brought to an end a unique chapter in the choral life of Ireland, and of the Cork International Choral Festival.· She was justifiably celebrated in her lifetime as the country’s foremost and most successful choral conductor.· Her reputation, and that of her choirs, was acknowledged at home and abroad.· Her ability to perform music of all genres and periods to the highest international standards was her hallmark.·· Her standards were high and, while performing and presenting many concerts, she loved in particular the tension and sharp-edged element of competition.

Read more...

News:
March 2011

With just over six weeks to go before the 57th Cork International Choral Festival kicks off, we’re delighted to announce that tickets are now on sale from our box office at the Everyman Palace Theatre! Whether you are online from overseas, or only down the road, booking couldn’t be easier. Click here for more details.

This year’s concerts present a top notch selection of talent. Want to be a part of the multimedia spectacle·'The Armed Man' conducted by world famous composer Karl Jenkins at our Opening Gala? Don’t want to miss another superb concert with the country's most distinguished choral ensembleThe National Chamber Choir of Ireland? Feel like being enchanted by the haunting music of·Russian ensemble Sirin at the late night evocations concert? Or are you ready for French beatboxing sensation Ommm to turn the world of a capella singing upside down?! For more information and audio clips on all of these groups just·click here.

News:

February 2011

On Saturday 19th March at the Masonic Hall, Tuckey Street, Cork, The Munster Freemasonwill present a night of musical miscellany. The concert will be held as a Choral Festival fundraiser and is sure to be a wonderful night of music and song.

Featuring·PolyPhonics Male Barbership Chorus, conducted by Douglas Kelly will lead a very special line-up of guests including Soprano's Jennifer Davis and Michaela Maher, Baritone Thomas Grogan, and Tenor Liam McCarthy. Accompaniment will be provided by Padraig Wallace, with Kevin McGrath on classical guitar.

Read more...

News:

February 2011

Cork International Choral Festival in association with Cork Opera House presents

French vocal sensation - 'Ommm'

French beat-boxing sensation Ommm take centre stage at Cork Opera House in our sensational Thursday Night Gala performance. This young, talented ensemble comprises five remarkable voices united by a passion for rhythm, improvisation, harmony and stagecraft. From jazz to trip-hop via French and world music, audiences will be treated to a vocal mosaic of styles and sounds, not to mention a few surprises!· ·Read more...

News:
January 2011

SPECIAL OFFER: Become a Friend of the 2011 Festival and make sure you're at the front of the action!

If you sign up and also bring another new Friend on board, both of you will receive a 25% discount on the cost of the package, meaning you can get 4 gala concert tickets, unrestricted entry to daytime competitions, invitations to receptions and press launch, festival club passes and much more for just €75!
Read more...

News:
December 2010

The shortest day of the year has just passed and spring once again, along with the Cork International Choral Festival, will soon be on its way. Here at the Festival Office we are putting the final touches to next year’s programme, which will see·over 4,000 singers take to the stage to present some of the·finest vocal music in history. Covering more than·1,000 years of music, singers perform everything from·plain chant and classical music to jazz, blues and contemporary;·from just a single voice to full choir and orchestra. 
With world renowned composer/conductor·Karl Jenkins' evoking multimedia production 'The Armed Man' opening the Festival, five other outstanding Gala Concerts, ten Fleischmann International Trophy competitors as well as seven non-competitive choirs, Cork audiences are sure to be in for a treat! The sheer power of singing in and listening to, a wall of voices is an experience that captivates both singers and audiences from across the world, and we look forward to seeing you all over next year’s May Bank Holiday Weekend. 
Click here for a Sneak Preview...