Competition Results

The Cork International Choral Festival came to a climactic penultimate close with its Awards Ceremony at 5.15pm on Sunday 30 April 2017 in Cork City Hall. Following a hugely successful Festival, the Jury Results were finally announced for all sections of the Festival’s varied and prestigious categories. International and national choirs from near and far waited nervously for the announcements.  The following are the final results for all categories:

Fleischmann International Trophy Competition Prize Winners

1st Prize
Codetta, Ireland
Conductor: Dónal Doherty
91.25%

2nd Prize
Bodeča Neža Girls Choir, ITALY
Conductor: Mateja Černic
90.67 %

3rd Prize
UBC University Singers, British Columbia, CANADA
Conductor: Dr. Graeme Langager
90.25%

International Awards

Lady Dorothy Mayer Memorial Trophy
Donated by Chris Mahon

Special Award for the performance of a piece in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Awarded to:
Mukogawa Women’s University Junior & Senior High School Chorus Club, JAPAN
Conductor: Takako Okamoto
For the performance of: Chukkyari Asabana, by Takatomi Nobunaga

Schuman/Europe Trophy
In memory of Moira Pyne (1916 – 2009)

Special Award for the performance of a piece by a living European Composer in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.

Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, IRELAND
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie
For the performance of: The Old Woman, by Rhona Clarke

Heinrich Schütz Perpetual Trophy
In memory of Hans Waldemar Rosen

Special Award for the performance of a choral work by Heinrich Schütz in the National or International Competitions.

Awarded to:
Codetta, IRELAND
Conductor: Dónal Doherty
For the Performance of: O Lieber Herre Gott SWV287

The McCurtain and McSwiney Memorial Trophy
Donated by the Cork Council of Trade Unions

Special Award, decided by the members of the International Jury, to a conductor in the International Competition for the performance of an imaginative and artistic programme. The recipient of this award, which is kindly donated by Musica International, will gain access to the Musica International website and their full software along with presence and promotion on their virtual choral library, a major project of the International Federation for Choral Music.

Awarded to:
Cywair, WALES
Conductor: Islwyn Evans

PEACE Trophy
Donated by the P.E.A.C.E Movement Cork

Awarded to the choir that best embraces the spirit of the Festival, and fulfils the intentions of the trophy’s benefactors, the P.E.A.C.E. Movement, Cork.

Awarded to:
Madrid Male Chorus, SPAIN
Conductor: Juan Pablo de Juan

Ireland’s Choir of the Year

IRELAND’S CHOIR OF THE YEAR
and
Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy
Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson

1st Prize
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Co. Dublin
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie
86.67%

2nd Prize
UCC Choral Society, Cork
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
85.78%

3rd Prize
The Academy Chamber Choir, Co. Offaly
Conductor: Ciarán Brady
83.44%

National Adult Competitions

National Competition for Chamber Choirs

1st Prize
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Conductor: Ciarán Kelly
90.33%

2nd Prize
NUIG Alumni Ensemble, Galway
Conductor: Peter Mannion
81%

National Competition for Male Voice Choirs

1st Prize
Portadown Male Voice Choir, Co Down
Conductor: Gordon Speers
86%

2nd Prize
Testostertones, Co Galway
Conductor: Peter Mannion
83%

National Competition for Mixed Voice Choirs

1st Prize
Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Kildare
Conductor: Ruaidhrí O Dálaigh
86.83%

2nd Prize
Cór Mhaigheo, Mayo
Conductor: Brian Lennon
84.17%

National Competition for Female Choirs

1st Prize
The Voices, Cork
Conductor: Mary Pedder-Daly
87.75%

2nd Prize
Douglas Harmonia Singers, Cork
Conductor: Lorna Moore
84.75%

National Competition for Youth Choirs

1st Prize
WIT Youth Choir, Waterford
Conductor: Niall Crowley
87.25%

2nd Prize
The Penston Vocal Academy, Co. Wicklow
Conductor: Naoimh Penston
85.5 %

National Competition for Light, Jazz and Popular Music

1st Prize
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Ciarán Kelly
92.75%

2nd Prize
UCC Singers
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
91.25%

National Competition for Church Music

1st Prize
Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Kildare
Conductor: Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh
86%

2nd Prize
Carrigaline Choral Group
Conductor: Aonghus Joyce
83%

Special Awards – National Adult and Youth Competitions

IRELAND’S CHOIR OF THE YEAR
and
Recipient of The Victor Leeson Perpetual Trophy
Donated by The Guinness Choir in memory of its founder Victor Leeson

Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Dublin
Conductor: Dr. Róisín Blunnie

Trofaí Cuimhneacháin Philib Ui Laoghaire
Donated by Cór Cois Laoi

Special Award for the performance of a choral work in Irish.

Awarded to:
UCC Choral Society, Cork
Conductor: Daniel Beuster
For the performance of: Bagairt na Marbh by Michael Holohan in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition

Perpetual Trophy for the Performance of Irish Contemporary Choral Music
Donated by The 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.

Awarded to:
Laetare Vocal Ensemble, Co Dublin
Conductor: Dr Róisín Blunnie
For the performance of: It’s Strange about Stars by Seán Doherty in Ireland’s Choir of the Year Competition

The John Mannion Trophy
Donated by the family of John Mannion

Special Award to a Chamber Choir for the performance of a work in the National Competitions.
Awarded to:
Ardú Vocal Ensemble, Co. Dublin
Conductor: Ciarán Kelly
For the performance of: Butterfly by Mia Makaroff in The National Open Competition for Chamber Choirs

National Competitions for Schools

National Competition for Schools: Section 1 (Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize
Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní, Cork
Conductor: Maeve-Ann O’Brien
85.5%

2nd Prize
Cór Scoil Bhríde Eglantine, Cork
Conductor: Patricia O’Donovan
85%

National Competition for Schools: Section 2 (Equal Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize
Loreto Secondary School Choir, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Conductor: Tim Fouhy
90.5%

2nd Prize
Presentation Secondary School Choir, Ballyphehane, Cork
Conductor: Anne Dunphy
89.75%

National Competition for Schools: Section 3 (Mixed Voice Post-Primary School Choirs)

1st Prize
Wesley College Senior Choir, Dublin
Conductor: Helen Doyle
90%

2nd Prize
Maynooth Education Campus Chamber Choir
Conductor: Jonathon Hanlon
85.5%

Special Awards – National Competitions for Schools

SCHOOL CHOIR OF THE FESTIVAL
and the Recipient of The John Cunningham Trophy

Awarded to the school choir who received the highest overall mark in the National Competitions for Schools.

Awarded to:
Loreto Secondary School Choir, Fermoy, Co. Cork
Conductor: Tim Fouhy

The Association of Irish Choirs Trophy

Special Award for the performance of a piece in the National Competitions for Schools.

Awarded to:
Cashel Community School Girls Choir, Co. Tipperary
Conductors: John Murray & Helen Colbert

For the performance of: For Him All Stars Have Shone by Bob Chilcott, in the National Competition for Schools: Section 2: Post Primary Equal Voice

The Irish Federation of Musicians & Associated Professions Trophy

Special Award for the performance of a choral piece in Irish in the National Competitions for Schools.
Awarded to:
Laurel Hill Coláiste F.C.J, Co. Limerick
Conductor: Orla Colgan Ahern

For the performance of Fionnghuala by Michael McGlynn in the National Competition for Schools: Section 2: Post Primary Equal Voice.

The Association of Irish Choirs Bursary for Conductors

Special bursary award to a conductor in the school competitions to attend the AOIC’s Annual Summer School.

Awarded to:
Jonathon Hanlon
Conductor of Maynooth Education Campus Choir, Co. Kildare

Cork International Choral Festival is proud to announce, Criostóir Ó Loingsigh as the winner of the 2017 Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. As winner of the competition, his piece Scél Lemm Dúib will receive its world première in the spectacular surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Friday 28th April at 7.30pm.  The Festival’s Choir-in-Residence, Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, will premiere the performance as part of its annual collaborative concert with the Festival in what promises to be a wonderful evening of song. In what was an exceptional high-quality competition one additional composition was chosen as runner-up, which was Michael Doherty of Dublin, with his piece The Art of Dying.

Along with receiving a cash prize, kindly donated by the Ó Riada family, Criostóir’s piece will receive its world première during the Festival. It will be performed by Chamber Choir Ireland in a concert which will also feature another world première of a piece by David Fennessy that was specially commissioned by the Festival. Criostóir will also play an integral part in the Festival’s Choral Symposium under the direction of Paul Hillier and Chamber Choir Ireland in an interactive workshop session on Friday 28th April at 2pm in Cork School of Music.

The much-celebrated Seán Ó Riada Compoisition is now officially launched! Be in with a chance of winning this esteemed composition competition and having your work premiered in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral by the acclaimed Chamber Choir Ireland on Friday 28th April 2017.

Read on to get all the details!

The Seán Ó Riada Competition was initiated in 1972 in recognition of the creative life and work of Seán Ó Riada (1931-71).  It was initially conceived of as an encouragement to amateur adult Irish choirs to select and perform existing or newly composed original works in the Irish language by an Irish composer.  The trophy was presented for the best performance.  In 1976, the competition became specifically a composition competition.  It was open to composers, born or resident in Ireland, to set a poem in Irish for a cappella choir, no performance applied.  In 1978 the competition was further adapted to encourage Irish amateur choirs to commission original works from Irish composers for performance at the festival, the trophy being awarded to the choir.  The aim of the competition was threefold (a) to encourage Irish composers to write new works in the Irish language, (b) to widen the accessibility of new works in the Irish language for amateur Irish choirs, and (c) to enhance the existing repertoire of Irish choral music.  Following a period when interest in the competition diminished it was discontinued, its format not valued either by composers or choirs.  In 2010 the competition was reintroduced utilising a totally new format, and the novel aspect of scores being entered under Pseudonym to protect the identity of the composer.  To enhance the status of the composer and provide an incentive, the winning composer attended the Festival and the winning composition was included as one of the works presented and discussed at the Seminar on New Choral Music/Choral Symposium.  The new format was an instant success.  Since 2010 to date, 187 compositions have been received testifying to the present interest in, and healthy state of Irish composition.  Previous winners of the competition include Solfa Carlile, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Séamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal Mac Erlaine, Simon MacHale, Michael McGlynn, Kevin O’Connell, and last year’s winner, Amanda Feery.  A number of these works have been published by international choral publishing houses.

What is the Seán Ó Riada Competition?

The Seán Ó Riada Competition is a composition competition which invites the submission of new works from Irish composers.  The competition is a collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and Chamber Choir Ireland.  The winning composition will be selected by a panel, comprising of composers and choral experts, and will be a featured work at a Choral Symposium to be held during the Festival.  This Symposium will feature Chamber Choir Ireland and its internationally renowned conductor, Paul Hillier, as artists in residence. The selected composition will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier. The composer of the work will be invited to attend the Festival as its guest and play an active part in the Choral Symposium.

What composers are eligible?

Composers born, or resident, in Ireland are eligible to apply.  Applications are welcomed from both established and emerging composers.

What general compositional parameters apply?

While Chamber Choir Ireland (CCI)—a chamber choir of 16 voices—will give the premiere performance of the work, it should have the potential to be accessible for performance by a wider range of high standard amateur Irish choirs.

The following parameters apply:

• An original work
• Written for a cappella choir
• Up to 5 minutes in duration
• 4 parts (SATB with no divisi)
• The selected text may be original or existing, in the English, or Irish, language.
• Texts should be non-liturgical.

• Any rights related to the use of existing/copyright texts are a matter for the composer to clarify, and receive permission for their use.

Presentation format of score?

It is desirable that the work be presented in computerised notation A4 format (Sibelius or other). The text utilised, including its writer and source, should be detailed on a separate page and form part of the score presentation.  If hand written, scores should be legible and suitable for duplication for performance and study purposes in maximum A4 format.

Application Process?

In keeping with best practice, and to ensure the anonymity of composers’ identities in the application, assessment, and selection process the method of application will be as follows.

• A completed application form found here
• All applications will be in hard copy and forwarded by registered post to the Cork International Choral Festival, Civic Trust House, 50 Pope’s Quay, Cork.
• The composer should use a pseudonym on the printed score.
• Five (5) unbound copies of the score should be provided.
• The composer should retain the original manuscript.
• Each entry should be accompanied by a sealed envelope (one), enclosing the attached form, detailing the name and contact details of the composer.  The pseudonym of the composer should be clearly detailed on the exterior of this envelope.
• Should the composer require confirmation of receipt, a pre addressed envelope to an address of the composer’s choice (utilising your pseudonym) or an independent email address, should be included with the application.  Festival staff will confirm receipt.
• Subsequent to the decision of the Assessment Board, the sealed envelope will be opened and the composer will be informed of the success or otherwise of their application.

• Confidentiality will be maintained by Festival staff about composers’ identities in relation to any specific queries received from the composer.

Assessment of compositions?

The assessment panel will consist of a minimum of three persons.  Both established composers and persons with choral expertise will be represented on the panel.

Benefits to be derived by composer?

• A cash prize donated by the Ó Riada Family, will be awarded to the winning composer.
• The winning composition will receive its premiere performance during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier.
• The composer will be invited to attend the Cork International Choral Festival as its guest and to participate in a Choral Symposium with Chamber Choir Ireland as artists-in-residence.  The Choral Symposium will retain at its centre the work undertaken for many years by the Festival’s established seminar on contemporary music.  The Symposium will also feature a wider range of presentations than existed previously.
•  The selected composition will feature as a selected work at a working session of the Choral Symposium.
• Composer’s name added to the list of Seminar composers.  See www.corkchoral.ie for full list.

• The Seán Ó Riada Trophy will be presented to the winning composer.
• As an added incentive to composers, a representative selection of the compositions received will be given a Performance Reading by Chamber Choir Ireland (CCI) during the Festival. This public session will be presented as part of the Choral Symposium, align with the educational activities of both CCI and CICF, and will involve open discussion on the works.  It is essential that the invited composers are present for this session.  If they are unable to attend, their work will not be performed.

Closing Date for receipt of applications?

Friday 9^th December 2016.

General Rules of Application

1. The composer gives permission to the Cork International Choral Festival (CICF) to make sufficient copies of the composition for performance, and Choral Symposium study purposes.  The cost of such reproduction will accrue to the festival.
2. The composer gives permission for a PDF copy of the composition to be made available, for study purposes only, on the Festival’s website.
3. The Cork International Choral Festival will retain a copy of the selected score for archival purposes.
4. In the event of a successful submission, the composer agrees to attend the Festival and to participate at the Choral Symposium in the presentation and analysis of the work.
5. The rights of the Premiere performance are assigned to the Cork International Choral Festival (CICF) and Chamber Choir Ireland (CCI)
6. No commission fee will apply to the CICF and CCI in relation to the composition of the work.
7. No costs, apart from accommodation and meals, will accrue to the CICF and CCI in relation to the composer’s attendance at the Festival.  Any other costs will be the responsibility of the composer.
8. Any performance of the composition during the Festival may, without payment, be recorded and the Festival shall be entitled to possession of any such recording.
9. The decision of the Assessment Panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding any aspect of its work.
10. The CICF or CCI accepts no legal responsibility in respect of anything pertaining to a composer’s participation in the festival.

Contacts for further information:

• John Fitzpatrick, Festival and Artistic Director

Sinéad Dunphy, Festival Manager

Cork International Choral Festival

Civic Trust House

50 Pope’s Quay

Cork

Tel: 00 353 (0)21 4215125      Email: info@corkchoral.ie