Call for Expressions of Interest

Community Choirs Project 2017 - 2019

Introduction

The Association of Irish Choirs (AOIC), in partnership with Chamber Choir Ireland (CCI) and Poetry Ireland (PI) plan to produce a large-scale, all-island performance projectfor adult choirs to culminate in a gala performance in the first half of 2019. The project is now seeking four provincial choirs to work on the creation of a newly commissioned work (made possible through generous funding from the Arts Council of Ireland) by Elaine Agnew to texts from All Through the Night curated by Marie Heaney as well as newly created texts by an Irish poet. AOIC and CCIwill work together to bring four project choirs together along with a later call for a massed choir of singers to form the final choral performance component of the project.

What will the performance be?

A 25-30 minute work for massed choirs, chamber choir (CCI) and two pianos has been commissioned from composer, Elaine Agnew.There will most likely besome otherchoral works alongside this commissioned work. The final performance will take place at the National Concert Hall, Dublin in the first half of 2019.

Who will take part?

The project is now calling for expressions of interest fromchoirsinterested in taking part as provincial project choirs (four choirs in total). There will also be a later call for a larger massed choir made up of voices from other interested choirs. The project will select four suitable provincial project choirs that are chosen for their artistic suitability to the project as well as their geographic location. The commitment for the four provincial choirs will be more involved as they will be partaking in the creation of the work.

What is involved?

Choirs who wish to get involved with the project will undertake to sing as part of the live performance in early 2019. Rehearsals/workshops of the commissioned piece and other works will be as follows:

1) Workshop with Elaine Agnew and a poet to take place from September 2017 – April 2018 (2 workshops)

2) Rehearsals of the resulting commissioned work at the choir’s own rehearsal venue from September – December 2018

3) A workshop/rehearsal with singers from Chamber Choir Ireland from September – December 2018. The time that would be allocated to rehearse during a choir’s own rehearsals would be left to the discretion of each choir.

Selection Criteria

Choirs will be selected for the project with various factors in mind including:

  • Geographic location - the project will seek to represent all four provinces on the island of Ireland
  • Artistic – each choir’s experience and ability
  • Availability – the choir’s availability to commit to the project
  • Make-up of the choir – the commission is being scored for SATB voices and so the balance of voice types is important. Male Voice or Female Voice ensembles are also invited to apply and a balance will be created in the selection of choirs.

A selection panel may be formed following receipt of expressions of interest.

Should your choir be interested in taking part please complete the below form and return to the Association of Irish Choirs by email or post by Friday, 22nd September, 2017. Should you have any queries please call the Association of Irish Choirs’ office.

Association of Irish Choirs

University Concert Hall

Foundation Building

University of Limerick

Limerick

Ph: 061 234823

Email:

Section 1General Information

Name of choir: ______

*Contact name: ______

Address of choir:______

______

Tel (mobile): ______Tel (landline):______

Email:______Website: ______

*The contact name will be the name of the person who will be the primary point of contact for the project

Section 2 Information about your choir

Which of the following best describes your choir?

 Professional

 Semi professional

 Association/corporate

 Adult - church

 Adult – community

 Third level / youth (aged 18 years and over)

 Other (pleas explain)______

Which of the following descriptions best fits your choir’s voice type?

 Female: AdultApproximate Numbers and Voice Types:______

 Male: AdultApproximate Numbers and Voice Types:______

 Mixed: AdultApproximate Numbers and Voice Types:______

 Other (please explain)______

Approximate Numbers and Voice Types:______

Section 3Further information on your choir

Summarise the current musical activities of your choir (outline your musical aims and objectives and include information on rehearsals, performances, repertoire, tuition, masterclasses, training etc.)

Please do attach a CV or Biography as appropriate to accompany this expression of interest form.

Section 4 Declaration

We have read the details of the project. Should our choir be selected, we agree to take part in the project.

Signature:

Name (block capitals):