Syllabus
Choral Conducting
Syllabus ID: 19.02
Competition: In association with Chamber Choir Ireland. Age: Over 18 years. The winner will also be offered the opportunity to observe rehearsals for 2 CCI projects with different conductors throughout the year and the opportunity to conduct one rehearsal session and receive mentoring from a CCI conductor.
1st Prize: Gold medal & certificate
Test Pieces 2025Round 1: A maximum of 8 candidates to work with a group of 8 singers from Chamber Choir Ireland.*
Competitors must select one piece from the ‘own choice’ list. They will have up to 20 minutes each to work with the group on their own choice piece.
*(If there are more than 8 entries for this competition, they will be shortlisted on the basis of their experience as outlined in a separate entry form).
Round 2 (Final):
Three candidates will be chosen to proceed to the final round where they will work with the full choir on the set piece and a second own choice piece, to be selected from the ‘own choice’ list. The final will comprise two elements, a rehearsal component (up to 45 minutes) and a performance component, both of which will be adjudicated.
In both rounds, competitors will be given time to rehearse and perform as follows:
In Round 1 a total of 20 minutes maximum will be allocated for rehearsal and performance. In Round 2 up to 45 minutes may be used for rehearsal.
Performance of all the selected works by the three finalists will take place in concert after the three rehearsals.
Both the rehearsal and performance will be assessed by the adjudicators in both rounds. Finalists are not permitted to attend the rehearsal or performance of the other candidates.
Round 2 will take place on a different day during Feis Ceoil.
NB: Choices for both rounds to be listed on the entry form. Repeat competitors may not repeat choice(s) from 2024.
Set piece:
Edward Elgar: Owls op. 53 no. 4 (IMSLP)
Own choices:
Einojuhani Rautavaara: El grito and La luna asoma from Suite de Lorca (in Spanish) Fazer Edition:
GIA Publications - "Suite" de Lorca (SATB)
William Byrd - Civitas Sancti Tui SATTB, G Maj Published by Church Music Society:
https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/1/14/Civitas_sancti_tui_Byrd.pdf
Rhona Clarke - The Kiss - SATB div. - Available from the Contemporary Music Centre: https://www.cmc.ie/music/kiss
Eoghan Desmond - A Babe is Born (from 4 Medieval Carols) - Published by Sulasol: https://sulasol.fi/en/nuottikauppa/4-medieval-carols/
Carlo Gesualdo - Mercè Grido Piangendo SSATB: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/2/28/Gesu-11Me.pdf
Fanny Mendelssohn - Abendlich schon rauscht der Wald (Op. 3 No. 5) SATB:
https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/images/e/ed/Abendlich_schon_rauscht_der_Wald_Hensel.pdf
Maurice Ravel - Nicolette (from Trois Chansons) SATB:
https://s9.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/c/ce/IMSLP01774-Ravel_-_Trois_chansons_(Complete_score).pdf
Entrance Fees: €70.00
