National Chamber Choir
The National Chamber Choir of Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble. Under the internationally celebrated and multi award winning choral conductor Paul Hillier as Artistic Director the Choir has a unique approach to programming, and has gained a reputation for the high artistic quality of its performances. From May 2002 to January 2007 the choir's conductor was Cologne-based Celso Antunes, who succeeded founding Artistic Director Colin Mawby. In June 2008 Paul Hillier was appointed Artistic Director and Chief Conductor. In addition to collaborating with international guest conductors the Choir also provides opportunities for young Irish conductors by supporting emerging talent on the conducting scene. Since its inception, the National Chamber Choir of Ireland has made a significant contribution to the development of contemporary Irish choral music through its commitment to commissioning new work. The Choir’s repertoire spans from early to contemporary music, regularly commissioning pioneering vocal work by both Irish and International composers such as Gerald Barry (composer), Andrew Hamilton, Siobhán Cleary, Kevin Volans and Tarik O'Regan. The National Chamber Choir of Ireland has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network in order to present high quality choral concerts to audiences all around the country. Internationally, the Choir has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and South America and undertook its first US tour with the assistance of Culture Ireland as part of Imagine Ireland, a year of Irish Arts in America in 2011. Recent appearances include performances at the White House on St Patrick’s Day 2011. CD releases in 2011 include One Day Fine on the RTÉ Lyric fm label and Acallam na Senórach on the Harmonia Mundi label. The Choir continues to foster relationships with other distinguished Irish performing ensembles such as the Crash Ensemble, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble enjoys a unique relationship with Cork International Choral Festival with which it collaborates on an annual basis as Choir in Residence. Principal funding for the National Chamber Choir of Ireland comes from the Arts Council of Ireland / an Chomhairle Ealaíon and major in-kind support from Dublin City University, where the ensemble was Choir in Residence from 1996 until 2013 since when the Choir became resident in the National Concert Hall.
External links
http://www.nationalchamberchoir.com/