The Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland and Chamber Choir Ireland are pleased to announce that composers Timothy Ethan Doyle, Brian Keegan and Conor McGlone have been selected to participate in the 2023 Choral Sketches programme.
The Choral Sketches programme call out was expanded for 2023, inviting applications from any composer born or based on the island of Ireland, without the stipulation of representation by CMC. All submissions were anonymised before review by the selection panel, with the final three composers selected by unanimous vote. Of the applications received, there was a 50/50 split between women and men composers.
Choral Sketches is a unique professional development opportunity for composers who wish to develop their skills in writing choral music with mentoring from renowned Irish composer, Rhona Clarke. The purpose of the programme is to provide a creative and open environment for composers to deepen their experience in writing for voices in a choral context.
On the announcement of the 2023 Choral Sketches participants, Composer Mentor Rhona Clarke said:
I am really looking forward to working with the three composers selected this year. From seeing their applications, very different styles and personalities emerge; it will be really interesting to see what paths they take – twists and turns in developing their own brand of choral music for Chamber Choir Ireland.
The Choral Sketches composers will meet this month for one-to-one mentoring ahead of submitting their sketches later in March. These sketches will be the focus of a public workshop led by conductor Sofi Jeannin with Chamber Choir Ireland on Thursday 20th April 2023, in the National Concert Hall, Dublin as part of New Music Dublin 2023.
Following this workshop there will be a further mentoring session before the composers submit their finished pieces in early August 2023. The works will have a final performance reading by Chamber Choir Ireland in Mid-September 2023 marking the culmination of the programme.