Our 10 Top Picks for the Cork International Choral Festival
The Choral Festival in Cork is an annual extravaganza that brings together choirs from around the world, creating a harmonious tapestry of voices that captivates audiences and fosters a spirit of unity.
This year’s festival will be running from May 1st to May 5th and will see choirs from around the world take up residence in Cork for the weekend to help our own musical locals hold Gala concerts, School Concerts, National and International Competitions, and world-class performances.
There will be Choral trails and events held in every nook and cranny of the city in all of our major venues, along with local libraries and churches of the suburbs surrounding the city so no matter where you’re living in Cork, you will find something interesting nearby.
There will be so much on that it will be impossible to choose what to see, so we’re here to help with our 10 top picks for which events you should go to this week for the Choral Festival!
1. Opening Gala Concert
Kicking off the festival with flair, the Opening Gala Concert sets the stage for days of musical magic. Featuring captivating performances by the Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra and Fleischmann Choir, who will present the Anglo-Irish composer Charles Villiers Stanford iconic Stabat Mater. This event will be held on Wednesday, May 1st at 8 pm in the Cork City Hall and you can get tickets by clicking here. You can take a look at last years opening gala on their Instagram here.
2. Choral Trail at Central Library Cork City
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of choral music as the Central Library becomes a hub of melodious activity. From intimate performances to interactive workshops, the Choral Trail offers a unique opportunity to experience the power of song up close. This is a free event and will be held at 12pm Thursday May 2nd.
3. Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
This event will be an organ recital with Matthew Breen. We are suggesting this event to you because we think you will be amazed at how the acoustics as the choir’s voices reverberate throughout this space. The surroundings of this cathedral are perfect for a concert such as this one. It will be held Friday, May 3rd at 1.10pm and is free admission.
4. Choral Trail at Tequila Jacks
If you’re in work during the day but are out at the weekend and you want to experience the musical magic of the Choral festival, don’t worry you still can! Tequila Jacks is hosting a Choral Trail where visiting choirs from different parts of the world will be showcasing their diverse talents and styles in pop-up performances. This event will be Friday the 3rd of May at 7pm and is also free admission.
5. National Competitions (Saturday Morning)
Witness the thrill of competition as choirs from across Ireland vie for top honours in a variety of categories. From stirring traditional tunes to innovative contemporary pieces, the National Competitions showcase the incredible talent and diversity of choral singing in the country. This event is on Saturday, May 4th at 9.30 am in Cork City Hall, and you can click here to see the lineup of competitors.
6. The Big Sing
Join voices with fellow festival-goers in a mass sing-along that transcends barriers of age, background, and experience. Led by talented conductors, The Big Sing is a joyous celebration of unity and harmony that will leave you uplifted and inspired. This event is on right after the national competitions at 12.45 pm so stick around for that!
7. Fleischmann International Gala Concert (Session 1)
If you’re looking for a core memory that really showcases what this festival is about, we recommend heading to the Fleischmann International Gala Concert. Featuring top choirs from around the globe, this concert promises an evening of breathtaking performances that will leave you spellbound, where the world’s leading amateur choirs are competing for the Fleischmann International Trophy, one of the most prestigious choral prizes in Europe. This competition will be held Saturday May 4th starting 3pm, and you can buy tickets by clicking here.
8. Festival Club at Clayton Hotel
Keep the festivities going late into the night at the Festival Club, where singers and music lovers alike come together to unwind and revel in the spirit of camaraderie. With live performances, dancing, and good company, the Festival Club is the perfect way to end a day of choral delights. This event will be held Saturday at 10 pm, in the Clayton Hotel and is free admission.
9. Light Jazz & Popular Music Competition
This competition involves some amazing Irish choirs competing by performing covers of popular music. This competition will be held on Sunday May 5th at 2pm in Cork City Hall, you can see the lineup and buy tickets by clicking here.
10. Closing Gala Concert
Bid farewell to another spectacular festival with the grand finale: the Closing Gala Concert. Featuring highlights from the week’s performances, this concert is a fitting tribute to the talent, passion, and camaraderie that define the Cork Choral Festival. This closing ceremony will be at 8pm in the City Hall on Sunday May 5th, and you can buy tickets by clicking here. Here’s a photo from last years closing Gala.
That’s all from us this week, if you would like to visit a city full of music, festivals, and excitement you should consider taking an English course with us here in Cork City Centre! You can get in contact with us by clicking here.