Cork International Choral Festival is proud to announce, James May as the winner of the 2019 Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. As winner of the competition, his piece street after street alike will receive its world première in the spectacular surrounds of St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Friday 3rd May 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.
As a composer James May creates music that focuses on texture, timbre, and space. He additionally is an improvisor, conductor, experimental performer, founding member of AmiEnsemble, and contributing writer for icareifyoulisten.com. James is one of the recipients of the 2018-19 George J. Mitchell Scholarship, funding an MA in Experimental Sound Practice at University College Cork. His work has been performed and recorded by JACK Quartet, the San Francisco Choral Artists, Longleash piano trio, and the University of Louisville Orchestra and Collegiate Chorale. James was the winner of the San Francisco Choral Artists' 2017 New Voices Project for The Garden ("arresting… intricate and intense” – San Francisco Classical Voice), the Wooster Chorus 2016 composition contest for his work The Dead, and composed Zaira and Irene for the 2018 Huang Orchestra Commission from the University of Louisville.
On receiving the news of his win, James said:
I’m thrilled to have been selected as the winner of the Sean Ó’Riada competition. I’ve been so impressed and humbled by the vibrant music and sonic art scene in Cork, all-embracing in its desire and support for exciting creativity. I’ve already had so many wonderful music–making experiences here, and the opportunity to contribute my part to this community through the Cork International Choral Festival is an absolute dream. Working with such world-class musicians as Chamber Choir Ireland and Paul Hillier is a huge honor, as is sharing the program with such influential living composers as Anne Boyd, Julia Wolfe, and Santa Ratniece (and, of course, Bach).
His composition, street after street alike was chosen by the members of the judging panel, composer Rhona Clarke and Paul Hillier, Artistic Director and Conductor of CCI, who summarised their reaction and evaluation to May’s winning piece as follows:
Although reasonably straightforward and practical, the style of this work is contemporary and has the mark of an individual voice. There is a strong sense of structure, starting with limited pitch range and building towards an upward sweep at the climax, and it shows skill on the part of the composer in handling word setting in quite an intense way.
Along with receiving a cash prize, kindly donated by the Ó Riada family, James’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 their stunning programme, ‘Before Bach and After’.
Initiated in 1972, the present format of the Seán Ó Riada Competition offers a platform for composers born, or resident, in Ireland to have their work judged and rewarded purely on its own merits without the judges being influenced by the reputation or status of the composer. All compositions are submitted under a pseudonym, with the author’s real name not being revealed until after the judges’ decision has been made. Works composed in the Irish language are encouraged. The competition has, as a central aim, the intention of providing Irish choirs with fresh, authentic material for inclusion in their programmes. The competition has attracted the attention of many highly-regarded composers, with past winners including Solfa Carlisle, Rhona Clarke, Patrick Connolly, Frank Corcoran, Séamas de Barra, Eoghan Desmond, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Donal MacErlaine, Simon MacHale, Michael McGlynn, Kevin O’Connell, Amanda Feery, Criostóir Ó Loingsigh and last year’s winner, Donal Sarsfield. With nearly 200 compositions being submitted in the past 9 years of the new format, the Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition clearly highlights the number of composers now working and living in Ireland, and further demonstrates the Cork International Choral Festival’s continuing commitment to encourage the composition and performance of contemporary music.
In collaboration with Chamber Choir Ireland
EuroChoir is a special choir project to promote the networking of talented singers at the European level, and to foster the emergence of the next generation of talents.
It is open to singers 18 to 30 years old and offers the opportunity to rehearse a challenging program with renowned conductors, improve their vocal skills and present the results of their work in public concerts.
For the years 2019 to 2021, EuroChoir designed a cycle under the direction of one of the emerging talent of the European scene, Yuval Weinberg. To kick-start these three years cycle, a “light” session is organised in 2019 during the Choralies festival. The program will be of course demanding for singers who like to be challenged, but adapted to the shorter rehearsal time. With more free time, the singers will have a change to enjoy the festival, the French “art de vivre”, get to know each other and maybe decide to apply again for the next editions.
Experience a summer in France!
Spend nine days of your summer 2019 in the Provence, the beloved region in Southern France. Known for its sunny weather and incredible landscapes, Vaison la Romaine and its surroundings also offer exciting hiking possibilities, food experiences, and of course many wines to discover!
The city is located between Lyon and Marseille, between the alps and the Cevennes, a perfect place to start or end your vacations in France.
Don't miss this unique opportunity! Register now here.
Invitation to Wander (2019) is a contemporary music project created by composer Karen Power, in partnership with Cork Midsummer Festival and in association with Cork International Choral Festival, Cork Centre for Architectural Education and Nano Nagle Place.
This mixed media music project will explore four of the world’s most fascinating and mostly
unreachable places: The Arctic, Amazon, Arnhem Land - Australia and Deserts and will premier from 19th - 22nd June 2019 as part of Cork Midsummer Festival.
Invitation
We are inviting 15 individuals, Emerging and/or Amateur singers/vocalists (any voice range) to form Ireland’s first ever ‘Sound Choir’ and to be part of:
What is a ‘Sound Choir’?
A ‘Sound Choir’ is a concept conceived by composer, Karen Power. It is a roaming body of voices (choir) who listen and respond to Power’s sound compositions for the four aforementioned worlds, using a series of guided improvisations, text and composed musical phrases. The ‘Sound Choir’ will perform vocally and respond to these worlds.
Professional Development Programme
The professional development programme has 4 distinct workshops in extended vocal
techniques, improvisation, movement and creative practice with Irish and International leading practitioners:
The workshops will be held on Friday or Saturday evenings in Cork City with two workshops in March, one in April and one in May. Exact dates to be confirmed.
Summary
Invitation to Wander (2019) an experimental mixed media music project will select 15 committed individuals to
• Take part in a professional development programme
• Participate in 2 rehearsals in the performance space with professional musicians on 17th & 18th June
• Be part of the ‘Sound Choir’ in 4 premier evening performances with professional cast on 19th, 20th, 21st & 22nd June
- There is future potential for the ‘Sound Choir’ to perform in other festivals beyond
Cork Midsummer Festival 2019.
- And selected individuals will receive a small contribution towards performance expenses. This will cover refreshments but not long distance travel or accommodation costs.
Expression of Interest
Submit no more than 500 words in word (.doc) or pdf with your singing/vocal experiences to date and reason for wanting to be part of the ‘Sound Choir’ by 11th February 2019.
You must be over 18 years old. If you have url links to singing/vocal experience and/or previous performances, please include. However, they are not a requirement for your submission.
Email [email protected]
For further information, go to www.karenpower.ie
Invitation to Wander (2019) is supported by the Arts Council and Cork Midsummer Festival.
Photo credit: William Murphy, 2015
Continuing the very successful collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the Big Sing at the Cathedral is returning this year for a very special day of rehearsal and performance of some of our history’s most magnificent choral works. The day will be led by Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral Director of Music and choral specialist, Peter Stobart.
After such a magnificent coming-together of voices last year for Fauré’s Requiem, we have chosen Handel's Messiah, Part II for the 2019 edition, in the 260th anniversary of Handel's death.
Saturday 16th February 2019 is the date to book on your diaries to come and sing one of the most popular and glorious choral works of all time. Certainly George Frideric Handel had no idea when he was composing his oratorio Messiah how far-reaching and universal its appeal would be!
Singers from all backgrounds are welcome, but reading music would be a great asset. You will learn Part II of the Messiah which will be then performed that same evening. You can download the score here.
If you would not like to sing, you can come to listen to the performance at 6.30 pm - Free admission, however donations are welcome.
Saturday 16th February, 2019
Day Schedule
1.30 pm - Registration
2 pm - Rehearsal
3.30 pm - Break
4 pm - Rehearsal
5.30 pm - Break
6.30 pm - Performance
Please note
We look forward to having you with us!
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Announcement time!
We are so excited to announce the international choirs that will participate in the non-competitive strand of the 2019 Cork International Choral Festival!
We look forward to welcoming them to Cork for an unforgettable 65th festival
Cheep Trill, Australia
Sing For Your Life! Choir, Australia
The European School of Brussels (UCCLE) Secondary Choir, Belgium
øre-sound, Denmark
Choeur Azimuts, France
In the coming weeks we will introduce each of the choirs in the Biographies area. Stay tuned!
A reminder that closing date for National Competition entries (Ireland’s Choir of the Year, National Schools Competitions, National Open Competitions) is Friday 18th January 2019, and closing date for National Non-Competitive entries is Friday 15th February 2019. Don’t delay – get in touch at [email protected]
This year has been spectacular for the Cork International Choral Festival but we couldn’t have done ANY of it without the loyal and enthusiastic support of all of you.
Ending 2018 on a high, last weekend we have announced our Gala Concert programme for 2019 as part of the World Choral Day celebrations.
We're now preparing the office for a short break from 21st December - 2nd January. We look forward to 2019 and we hope to have all of you with us for the 65th Festival!
All the best for the Holiday season from all at Festival HQ
Festival Office Internship
The Cork International Choral Festival is looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated candidate who is keen to establish a career in the festivals and music events industry.
What you will learn and be a part of
This is a great opportunity to be fully involved from the outset with the production of a well-established and exciting festival. You will learn the basic fundamentals of festival events during the 3 months leading up to the Cork International Choral Festival. You will also be exposed to the management of all logistical needs including but not limited to entertainment, catering, signage, audio/visual, gifts, etc. of festival events. The internship will involve pre-production planning (marketing/publicity), content creation for our website and social media accounts, copywriting. During the Festival days, you will be required to work on-site at our events (concerts, workshops, rehearsals) at different locations across Cork city and County.
Your strengths and interests include
About the Internship
3 month internship period: 11th February 2019 – 10th May 2019 30 hours per week + increased hours during festival days (1st – 5th May 2019, schedule to be agreed). This is an unpaid internship. We are flexible regarding working hours and start/end dates for the right candidate. We will be working from our own offices in Civic Trust House on 50 Pope Quays, Cork.
To Apply
Please email a cover letter and CV to Festival Manager Elaine FitzGerald at [email protected] by 31st January 2019.
About us
Founded in 1954 to be a dynamic force in developing choral music in Ireland, the Cork International Choral Festival is held annually over the five days preceding the first Monday in May in venues across the city, centering around the City Hall, one of the most attractive and acoustically superb venues in Ireland. It is one of Europe’s premier international choral festivals and is noted for its high competitive standards, excellent organisation, and the friendliness of its welcome. Each year some of the finest amateur international choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy. The selected choirs also have an opportunity to perform non-competitively in a range of Festival activities presented over the weekend, including Fringe concerts, church and informal performances. Their presence gives audiences and Irish choirs the unique opportunity of attending a diverse range of concerts and competitive sessions while in Cork. As well as foreign choirs, the Festival annually features up to 100 Adult, Youth and School choirs who participate in National Competitions. Overall the Festival attracts some 5,000 participants. The festival continues to ensure that choral music, representative of many historical and cultural traditions, is brought to the people of Cork and the many visitors who travel to the city for the event.
Questions?
If you require further information, please email: [email protected]
The Adolf Fredriks Chamber Choir from Stockholm (winners of the 2018 Fleischmann International Trophy) and DIT Chamber Choir (runner-up in the 2018 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition) will be performing together in Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin on Sunday December 9th, 7.15 pm.
With this stunning concert, “From Darkness to Light”, the choirs will be celebrating light in the winter darkness and heralding the arrival of Christmas.
The first part of the concert will be a performance of traditional Christmas carols, both Swedish and International. The second half will be a celebration of the Swedish ceremony of Sankta Lucia. The Cathedral will be cast into complete darkness, as the singers evoke a Nordic winter. A choral procession led by a maiden wearing a wreath of candles will then emerge from the back of the Cathedral to welcome the audience in to the magic of Nordic Yuletide Celebration.
The ceremony of Sankta Lucia is one of the oldest celebrations of midwinter to be found across the world, and is truly an iconic part of Christmas in Sweden. The Sankta Lucia Celebrations in Ireland have been taking place in Christchurch Cathedral with the Adolf Fredriks Chamber Choir for 10 years.
The Choir’s relationship with Ireland has never been stronger, having won the top prize at Cork Choral Festival this year. They are delighted to be joined by the DIT Chamber Choir, and their combined abilities will truly begin the Christmas season on the right note!
The event is a sell out every year – tickets are available at Eventbrite (€20 regular/€15 group/ €40 premium).
The deadline for applications for the 2019 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition has now closed after an unprecedented response. We have been overwhelmed by entries! Thanks again to all choirs who applied.
Participant choirs for 2019 have been announced here. A reminder that applications for 2020 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition are open!
The non-competitive strand of 2019 festival is also accepting applications until November 30th. Don’t delay - get in touch at [email protected]!
Cork International Choral Festival is proud to announce the selected choirs competing in the 2019 Fleischmann International Trophy Competition.
Each year some of the finest amateur choirs are selected to compete for this prestigious international competition. We would like to congratulate the 11 choirs that will travel to Cork in May 2019. We look forward to having them with us for the 65th festival!
Kamarikuoro Addictio, Finland
KYL Helsinki Academic Male Choir, Finland
Kamarikuoro Näsi, Finland
Hamburg Academy of Music And Theatre, Germany
Mornington Singers, Ireland
The Women's Choral Society of the University of Oslo, Norway
Dominanta Choir, Poland
Chamber Choir KGBL, Slovenia
Bella Voce - Lunds studentsångerskor, Sweden
Korallerna, Sweden
Petrosyan Chamber Choir, Ukraine
Thanks to all choirs who applied!
A reminder that applications for the non-competitive strand of the festival close on November 30th. Don’t delay - get in touch at [email protected]
English 
Bulgarian 
Czech 
Danish 
German 
Greek 
Spanish 
Estonian 
French 
Hungarian 
Italian 
Polish 
Portuguese 
Ukrainian