Kilkenny Music Festival has launched its annual event and announced that this year there will be six new competitions during its 11th Festival.
Launching its new syllabus on Thursday last, organisers said that they are introducing a special competition for girls solo voice, dedicated to the memory of Kilkenny's first lady Mayor, Margaret Tynan.
The festival launch was attended by friends and family of the late Ms Tynan including Minister John McGuinness, current Mayor of Kilkenny, Pat Crotty and several local representatives.
Other competitions announced for this year's Festival include the Little Larks cup for infant choirs dedicated to the memory of Imelda Connolly; the Rev Fr Donal Kelly Chamber Choir Cup for secondary schools; the Chamber Music for Primary Schools Cup presented in memory of Mai Duggan by Kilkenny Academy of Music; The Hackett Cup for boys vocal solo and a new composition competition for music composed for any instrument of any grade.
"We are delighted to announce 69 competitions and two major awards of €1,000 each for the festival's most outstanding individual performance and most outstanding choir" said Regina O' Leary, committee member of Kilkenny Music Festival. "We are looking forward to an excellent festival this year with participants performing across wind, piano, string, chamber music, solo voice and choral competitions and our grand finale gala concert of the festival's best performances next February."
The 11th Kilkenny Music Festival takes place in St Canice's National School, Presentation Secondary School and Kilkenny College from Wednesday January 28 to Sunday, February 1, 2009. This year's syllabus of competition details is out now and applications close on November 21.
Overall winners will go on to compete for top awards and bursaries at Kilkenny Music Festival's Gala Concert which will be held in Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.
To contact the festival or to receive a syllabus please call the Festival mobile on 086 3569745 or e-mail kilkennymusicfestival@gmail.com
