AUDITIONS 2026/27: Please note the choir is full at present, apart from a small number of spaces in the tenor and bass sections. We will be auditioning on Mondays 5th and 12th October 2026. To arrange an audition on one of these evenings, please contact: cantoiri@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest in joining Cantóirí Choir.

About the Choir

Cantóirí is an amateur mixed-voice adult choir that performs a varied repertoire of unaccompanied short pieces in 4-8 parts. Led by Musical Director Ben Barnes, we are a friendly, sociable group that welcomes adults of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Repertoire

We aim for a mixture of renaissance/classical songs, folk songs from different countries (sung in their original languages), modern choral compositions and pop songs. Pieces are kept for 1-2 years and then replaced. The full repertoire is 15-20 songs, worked on throughout the year to performance standard. We sing off by heart and without folders in concerts and competitions. There are some sample videos on www.cantoiri.com .

Auditions

A short audition is required for entry. Sight-reading is not essential but a good musical sense and familiarity with sheet music are helpful.

We audition each September and usually again in January. Notifications of audition dates are posted on www.cantoiri.com and publicised through the choir’s social media.

Those coming along for audition are encouraged to join the choir for the first half of the evening’s rehearsal, before having an audition at break time. This gives them a chance to experience the choir and see how they enjoy it.

When you arrive, please ask to speak to a committee member, who will take your contact details, and introduce you to Ben, our Director, and a couple of the other members to sit beside.

It will just be yourself, Ben and one member of the committee in the room during the audition. You’ll be asked to sing a verse or two of a song. Choose any song you enjoy and that suits your voice. It’s fine to refer to lyrics or sheet music and Ben will be happy to give you a starting note. Then Ben will ask you to do a quick ear test i.e. to sing back a short phrase after he plays it, and he’ll check your range: how high and low you can sing.

As Cantóirí is a mixed SATB choir, Ben needs to consider blend and balance across voice parts. Not everyone who auditions can be offered a place. We’ll let you know either way, by text or e-mail, shortly after the audition.

Rehearsals

Joining the choir is joining a team. We ask that each member does their best to make all rehearsals & events.

Monday night is Cantóirí night! Members are expected to attend rehearsals at our venue Wesley House in Ranelagh (D06 N5P0) each week in term-time (Sept-June), 19:15-21:30. There are no rehearsals on Bank Holidays (although we often arrange a substitute Tuesday or Thursday rehearsal on those weeks) and we take a few weeks off over Christmas.

There is a short tea/coffee break and members take turns bringing milk & biscuits/cake each week. On-street parking on Leeson Park is free of charge after 19:00 and the Luas and several bus routes run nearby. If you have physical access requirements, please let us know. We will ensure routes are clear & bathrooms open.

A folder of sheet music is provided to each member and we go through and learn new pieces together. Individual weekly practice (1-2 hours, outside of rehearsals) is also expected. Line recordings are not routinely provided, but for more difficult pieces, Ben may circulate these. Members within each section also support each other by sharing learning resources & meeting for occasional sectional practices between rehearsals. Additional rehearsals may be organised in the run-up to concerts/competitions.

Choir Performances & Activities

The choir aims to sing 2-3 concerts per year and take part in 1-2 weekend competitions somewhere in Ireland. We also organise occasional social events (e.g. Christmas party, end of year BBQ) and vocal workshops.

For most performances, we dress in uniform (see photos on www.cantoiri.com ). The uniform is any smart, all-black clothing. Sleeves should cover the shoulders and preferably be full-length. Shoes and socks or tights should be black. Colourful accessories should be avoided. Gerbera lapel pins are worn and these are provided.

Fees & Administration

The work of running the choir falls to a voluntary committee of members, elected at AGM each June.

The choir’s costs are covered through member subscriptions each term. These costs include: rehearsal venue rental, Musical Director’s fees, insurance, purchase of music, competition entry fees and photocopying.

The year is split into two terms Sept-Jan and Feb-June. The fee per term is €170 (with a reduced rate of €140 available for anyone who needs it).

Fees can be paid in cash to Richard (Treasurer), or by bank transfer to the Cantóirí account (BIC & IBAN details are circulated to members each term).

If you are interested in auditioning or have any other questions about the choir, please e-mail cantoiri@gmail.com or phone Áine on: 0871261160.