Nearly 5,000 singers from all around the world are arriving in Cork this week to take part in the 62nd Cork International Choral Festival, which runs until Sunday May 1.
There will be 6 ticketed gala events, and almost 100 free events throughout the city including a Choral Trail, Friendship Concerts, Fringe Concerts, a Symposium, Schools Concerts, National and International Competitions, workshops and free outdoor performances. The event also spills out to the streets of Cork including many impromptu performances in pubs, cafes, restaurants, churches and libraries - wherever you turn you will hear a harmony of voices.
CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Wednesday 27th April
11am Cork City Hall
The Primary School Choirs Competition
The schools participating include Cór Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh Cailíní [Co. Cork], Bunscoil Bhóthar na Naomh [Co. Waterford], Cór Bunscoil Chríost Rí [Co. Cork], Shountrade National School Choir [Co. Limerick]. There will also be guest performances from international choirs including Marylhurst University Chamber Choir (USA), CasaSawt (Morocco), Choeur et Mouvement (France), and Sing for your Life! Choir (Australia).
2.30pm Cork City Hall
The Post-Primary Mixed Voice Choirs Competition
Participating schools include Mercy Mounthawk School Choir [Co. Kerry], Cór Choláiste/Gaelcholáiste Choilm [Co. Cork], Cashel Community School [Co. Tipperary], Wesley College Senior Choir [Co. Dublin]. There will be guest performances by Tung-Hsin Choral Society (USA) and DelicaTon Freigericht (Germany),
8pm Cork City Hall
Opening Concert, A celebration of Heritage
Fleischmann Choir and CIT CSM Symphony Conductor, Conor Palliser will perform a celebration of our heritage. It will feature Gerald Finzi's Intimations of Immortality for Tenor, Chorus and Orchestra with soloist Robin Tritschler and the first performance in Cork of Fleischmann's Cornucopia for Horn and Orchestra with soloist Cormac Ó' HAodáin. The Programme will also include Seán Ó Riada’s Mise Éire Suite together with an accompanying film of the period. Pre-concert recital will feature the Band of 1 Brigade.
Thursday 28th April
11am Cork City Hall
The Post-Primary Equal Voice Competition
Schools taking part in this competition include, St. Leo’s College Choir [Co. Carlow], Laurel Hill Coláiste F.C.J. [Co. Limerick], De La Salle Senior Choir [Co. Waterford], Cashel Community School Girls Choir [Co. Tipperary], Cór Choláiste na Toirbhirte, Bandon [Co. Cork], Ursuline Convent Senior Choir [Co. Waterford], Regina Mundi College [Co. Cork], Scoil Mhuire Choir, Trim [Co. Meath], Ursuline Singers [Co. Tipperary], Loreto Secondary School Choir, Fermoy [Co. Cork]. There will be guest performances from Helene Stureborg’s kammarkör [Sweden], Bærum Vokalensemble [Norway], Rezonans [Turkey].
8pm Cork City Hall
The Real Group – Headline act
Based in Sweden, The Real Group is one of the world’s finest vocal ensembles. They are renowned for their excellent ensemble singing, stunning arrangements, and for captivating audiences world-wide. Their repertoire consists of arrangements of jazz, sometimes leaning towards folk and pop.
Other
Cork City Library, 10.30am – Barum Vokalensemble [Norway]
Cork University Hospital (CUH), 11am – DelicaTon Freigericht [Germany]
Hollyhill Library, 11.30am – Tung-Hsin Choral Society [USA]
Lewis Glucksman Gallery UCC, 1pm – DelicaTon Freigericht [Germany]
Crawford Art Gallery, 1.30pm – Tung-Hsin Choral Society [USA]
Ballyphehane Day Care Centre, 2pm – CasaSawt [Morocco]
l’Atitude 51, 5.30pm – Rezonans [Turkey]
Maldron Hotel, 5.30pm – DelicaTon Freigericht [Germany]
Electric Restaurant & Bar, 6pm – CasaSawt [Morocco]
Franciscan Well, 6pm – Mixed Choir KOOR [Estonia]
Friday 29th April
2.00pm Cork School of Music
Choral Music Symposium
An interactive workshop session curated by one of the world’s leading specialists on choral music, Paul Hillier, and the Festival’s choir-in-residence.
7.30pm St. Finbarre’s Cathedral
Remembering the Rising and Shakespeare…
The event will feature two premieres by Festival Commissioned composer Stephen McNeff and the winner of this year’s Séan Ó Riada Composition Competition Amanda Feery, commemorating the centenary of the Easter Rising and the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare.
10.40pm Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne
Late Night Concert Evocations
A late night concert with Switzerland based White Raven, a cappella vocal trio, who sing arrangements of Irish traditional, Scottish, and Medieval song. Hailed as “voices of purest gold” by critics, White Raven has perfected the art of ensemble singing.
Other
Blackpool Library, 10am – Ahjo Ensemble [Finland]
Blackrock Castle Observatory, 11am – DelicaTon Freigericht [Germany]
Blarney Castle*, 11am – Barum Vokalensemble [Norway]
City Hall Meet & Greet, 11am – Various
Tory Top Library, 12pm – Marylhurst University Chamber Choir [USA]
Brown Thomas, 1pm – CasaSawt [Morocco]
Lewis Glucksman Gallery UCC, 1.30pm – Rezonans [Turkey]
Crawford Art Gallery, 1.45pm – CasaSawt [Morocco]
Bishopstown Library, 2.30pm – Choeur et Mouvement [France]
Cork City Library, 2.30pm – Sing for your Life! Choir [Australia]
City Hall Meet & Greet, 4pm – Various
Kent Station, 5.30pm – Sing for your Life! Choir [Australia]
l’Atitude 51, 6pm – Torshavnar Kamarkor [Faroe Islands]
Franciscan Well, 6pm – DeineMaids [Germany]
Tom Barry’s Pub, 6pm – Marylhurst University Chamber Choir [USA]
The Shelbourne Bar, 6.30pm – Sing for your Life! Choir [Australia]
Everyman Theatre Bar, 7.30pm – Tung-Hsin Choral Society [USA]
Saturday 30th April
12.15pm Cork City Hall
The Big Sing
With the ambition of ensuring everybody gets the opportunity to sing in the Festival, Cork International Choral Festival invites all to take part in The Big Sing 2016, the festival’s big and bright participatory singing event. The Big Sing is open to everyone and admission is free. There’s no preparation necessary – just sing from, and for, the heart! In just 45 mins, composer and conductor John O’Brien will teach a well-known choral work to the crowd.
2pm The Clarion Hotel
Afternoons in the Atrium
Afternoons in the Atrium provides a weekend of energetic and entertaining performances by national and international choirs in the fresh, modern setting of the Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay.
3pm & 8pm Cork City Hall
International Fleishmann Gala
Some of the world’s top amateur choirs will compete for one of the most prestigious prizes in International standards.
Other
Festival Food Market, Emmet Place, 10am-6pm – Various Pop Up Choirs
Bakestone Cafe @Ballyseedy Garden Centre, 11am – Tung-Hsin Choral Society [USA]
The Big Sing, Cork City Hall 12pm – Come and be a part of Cork’s largest Choir!
Ambassador Hotel, 1pm – Sing for your Life! Choir [Australia]
Lewis Glucksman Gallery UCC, 1pm – CasaSawt [Morocco]
Clarion Hotel, 2-6pm – Various
l’Atitude 51, 5.30pm – DeineMaids [Germany]
Sunday 1st May
2pm The Clarion Hotel
Afternoons in the Atrium
Afternoons in the Atrium provides a weekend of energetic and entertaining performances by national and international choirs in the fresh, modern setting of the Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay.
8pm Cork City Hall
Closing Gala Concert
International choirs will perform choral music representative of their musical and cultural backgrounds in a joyful celebration of song and colour.
Other
Festival Food Market, Emmet Place, 10am-6pm – Various Pop Up Choirs
Clarion Hotel, 2-6pm – Various
City Hall Awards Ceremony, 5.15pm – Various
Festival Club – Saturday and Sunday
The Festival fun doesn’t stop when the Gala’s end – it simply moves to the Festival Club at the Clarion! It’s the perfect place to kick back and relax with festival choirs and guests, whether you’re in the mood to sing, dance, drink or mingle your way into the small hours.
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This is just a snapshot of what is taking place over the weekend. For the full festival programme see www.corkchoral.ie.
Festival Tickets are available for purchase through the online booking system at www.corkchoral.ie, and in person from the Festival Box Office at The Everyman, McCurtain Street.
The Cork International Choral Festival is proudly supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Cork City Council and Cork County Council, First South Credit Union Ltd. , and Indaver Ireland.