The Charles Wood Girls’ Choir
Patron: Edward Wilson
Charles Wood Girls’ Choir
10 - 16 August 2024
The Charles Wood Girls' Choir is a week-long residential summer course for girl choristers aged 12-18, proudly supported by Ulster Carpets. Participants will experience intensive, fun training in singing and choral music under the direction of Ian Keatley (Director of Music at Southwark Cathedral).
In 2023, Girls’ Choir members took part in workshops with two renowned choral composers and conductors - John Rutter and Bob Chilcott. The schedule included opportunities to perform at services and concerts in some of Northern Ireland's most impressive sacred spaces, as part of the Charles Wood Festival of Music. The choristers also enjoyed a range of social events, including a cinema visit.
The course costs £300 and all meals and accommodation are provided in The Royal School Armagh, under the care and supervision of an experienced all-female on-site boarding team and matron. Safeguarding procedures and documentation are overseen by the Girls' Choir Course Safeguarding Panel in consultation with the Church of Ireland’s Safeguarding Officers.
If you have any queries, please contact charleswoodfestival@gmail.com.
Auditions
This year, we are accepting online applications and new applicants are asked to send a video recording of themselves singing one song of their choice. This can be recorded on a mobile phone or other device, and an accompaniment track can be used. Recordings can be attached in your application form (via YouTube link or WeTransfer) or emailed to charleswoodfestival@gmail.com. Your application is only complete once you have submitted your video.
Open Auditions
There will be open ‘in-person’ auditions in Armagh and Belfast (Dates TBC) and visits to post-primary schools. An online video recording is not needed if you attend these open auditions and school visits.
Virtual Showcase with Bob Chilcott
In 2022, members of the Charles Wood Girls' Choir had the opportunity to take part in a workshop with the renowned composer and conductor Bob Chilcott, focusing on Bob’s own setting of the famous text, Be Thou My Vision. The workshop is available to watch on the Charles Wood Festival YouTube channel.
Top Tips From Ely: A Chorister Special
In 2021, Ian Keatley travelled to Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire to hear their renowned girl choristers in action. The video features Sarah MacDonald, Director of the Cathedral’s Girls’ Choir, and the Charles Wood Festival’s Patron, John Rutter CBE.
Sing Unto The Lord
The debut album of the Charles Wood Girls' Choir was released in 2021. It was conducted by Ian Keatley with organist Stephen Disley, and recorded at St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh. Listen to this piece composed by Jack Oades, specially commissioned for the Charles Wood Girls' Choir. The album is available for purchase here.
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“Singing in the Girls’ Choir has expanded my musical knowledge and repertoire. I’ll never forget how fun and eye-opening this course has been and could never thank the amazing boarding team and staff enough! 110% would recommend to any enthusiastic and music-loving girls.”
“I would highly recommend the Charles Wood Girls’ Choir to anyone interested in music or singing. The training I received was second to none. I found it to be a fabulous experience and I made new friends from all over Ireland in a very fun environment. I cannot wait to return next year if given the opportunity.”