Seán O’Riada Competition

The competition is a collaboration between the Cork International Choral Festival and the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, which invites the submission of new works from Irish composers. The winning composition will be selected by a panel of composers and choral experts, and will become a featured work at the Seminar for New Choral Music at the Cork International Choral Festival 2010, hosted by CICF’s artists in residence – The National Chamber Choir of Ireland. The chosen composition will receive its première performance during this year’s Festival at a Gala Concert given by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, on Friday 30th April.

The composer of the work will be invited to attend the festival as its guest and play an active part in the Seminar session. Previous winners of the competition include such well known names as Rhona Clarke, Séamas de Barra, Michael Holohan, Marian Ingoldsby, Michael McGlynn, and Kevin O’Connell.

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

What compositional parameters apply?
While the premiere performance of the will be given by the National
Chamber Choir of Ireland, a chamber choir of 16 voices, 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 unaccompanied capella
Up to 5 minutes in duration
4 parts (SATB with option to include small divisi)
Text may be original or existing. Texts may be sacred or secular.
If a sacred text is chosen it should be non-liturgical in
character. Texts with an Irish link would be welcomed but equal
consideration will be given to compositions which select texts
from other sources. 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?

Scores (if hand written) should be legible and suitable for
duplication for performance and study purposes in maximum A4 format. It
would be preferable for the work to be presented in computerised
notation (Sibelius or other) 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:

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.
Three (3) copies of the score should be provided.
The composer should retain the original manuscript.
Each score should be accompanied by a sealed envelope which
contains the attached form containing 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
envelopes will be opened and the composers 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 Prize of €750 will be awarded to the winning composer.
The winning composition will receive its premiere performance
during the Festival at a Gala Concert given by the National
Chamber Choir of Ireland, conducted by Paul Hillier, on Friday
30th April.
The composer will be invited to attend the Cork International
Choral Festival as its guest, and to participate in the Seminar on
New Choral Music (Choir-in-residence: National Chamber Choir).
The selected composition will be analysed and presented at a full
session of the Seminar on New Choral Music.
Composer’s name added to the list of Seminar composers.
See www.corkchoral.ie ie for full list.
The Seán Ó Riada Trophy will be presented to the winning composer.

Closing Date for receipt of applications?

Friday 12th March 2010.

Please note the competition is closed for 2010 and a winner has been announced

For further information visit www.corkchoral.ie
Or contact the Cork International Choral Festival on 021 4215125