4 Things Your Choir Should Know About Before You Enter the City Of Derry International Choral Festival
Applications for the City of Derry International Choral Festival 2016 are now open – With so many things to consider before you sign your choir up for this exciting competition, here are four things you should know about before you apply to CODI Choral Festival (…or to any choral competition for that matter!)
The Contemporary Music Centre Online Library
Explore our online library for some of the best contemporary choral music written by Irish composers. Browse by composer’s name or category to see sample pages and hear recordings.
The Contemporary Music Centre library, located at 19 Fishamble St., Temple Bar, Dublin 8, is also open to the public from Monday to Friday 10am – 5:30pm.
Click to access the CMC Online Library
CMC’s Choral Catalogue Series
The Contemporary Music Centre has made available three catalogues of choral works by Irish composers;Children’s and Female Voice Repertoire, Mixed Choir Repertoire and Christmas Repertoire. They have been selected by specialist curators with a comprehensive set of guidelines about each work and a full set of sample pages available within the catalogues.
Works are graded from easy to professional standard, and conductors can click through on the online PDFs to find out more about the works and listen to extracts.
CMC Children’s and Female Voice Catalogue
CMC Mixed Voice Catalogue
Choirland
‘Choirland’ is a collection of 15 pieces by Irish composers for unaccompanied mixed choir. The music ranges in difficulty from the simple to perform, to the more challenging. From arrangements of traditional melodies, new settings of familiar texts and strikingly original works, the selection encompasses a wide array of styles, which illustrate the diversity and vibrancy of Irish choral music. Each piece is presented with performance notes designed to aid conductors and singers alike, and the book includes a CD recording of the music by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland conducted by its Artistic Director Paul Hillier.
Choirland is available to purchase from the CMC shop here
The Contemporary Music Centre’s Special Prize
In partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre, The City of Derry International Choral Festival will present an award for the best performance of a piece by an Irish composer.
All choral works found in the Contemporary Music Centre’s online library are eligible for consideration. Works from the graded CMC Choral Catalogues are particularly recommended. A cash prize plus vouchers to redeem on choral works from the Contemporary Music Centre will be awarded to the winning choir.
Find out more on how your choir can apply for the festival and CMC’s Special Prize here
Pictured above: Voci Nuove conducted by Lynsey Callaghan – winners of the Contemporary Music Centre Special Prize 2015 for their performance of Bagairt na Marbh by Michael Holohan.