NIIOC

niioc.com/news/2026-comp… @Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates

Entries Open! With a winner’s package of over £5,000 in the Senior Category, this is the first flavour of some exciting opportunities to come. Visit: niioc.com/news/2026-comp… Armagh, 17-19 August 2026 @Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates @davidhconductor @CW_Armagh

A very Happy Easter to you all! Full details of our 2026 competition will be announced on Monday 13 April, including jury, categories and monetary prizes. Applications can also be received from this date. @Organ_Festival @ChoirandOrgan @RCO_Updates @CW_Armagh 🐣🐣🐣

Such a wonderful evening of dance, food and culture as The Mudra Academy of Performing Arts UK support Action Cancer. Richard Yarr MBE represented HM Lord Lieutenant.

Come & Sing with John Rutter in Belfast! As we continue to meet the finalists of our Charles Wood International Song Competition that are competing next week, we’re already looking ahead to another very special moment in the Charles Wood calendar. Don’t forget that Sir John Rutter will be joining us for a Come & Sing at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Saturday 18th April 2026 at 3pm. This is a rare opportunity to sing under one of the most beloved choral composers of our time. The afternoon is open to all singers whether you sing regularly in a choir, at school, in church, or simply for the joy of it. No audition or preparation is required and music will be provided on the day. Tickets are £20 and can be booked at charleswoodsummerschool.org/johnrutter

A message from the composer himself… We’re absolutely delighted to share this short video from John Rutter, who will be joining us in Belfast for a very special Come & Sing event. It’s a rare opportunity to perform his music under his own direction, and we’re very much looking forward to singing together in St Anne’s Cathedral for what promises to be a special and enjoyable afternoon of choral music-making. St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast Saturday 18 April 2026 Open to all singers If you love choral music, this really is one not to miss. Full details and booking here: charleswoodsummerschool.org/johnrutter

We are thrilled to have received Charitable Status from @CharityCommNI as NIIOC looks forward to considerable developments in 2026. Registration Number: 110511 Our thanks to Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors for their invaluable support throughout this process.

Handel’s #Messiah in #Handel’s church. An unforgettable & spiritual performance, conducted by Richard Gowers - winner of @NIIOC1 - as part of the @LHandelFestival. Unsurprising to see Richard’s class take him to this level. A pleasure to meet his fiancée @Mishkapianist too!

Congratulations to the Chair of our 2025 jury, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin who celebrated her 40th anniversary as Titular Organist of Saint-Sulpice, Paris, yesterday. 90 wonderful minutes of improvisation to a silent film. Our Founder Richard Yarr was delighted to attend.

Richard Yarr MBE DL on behalf of HM Lord Lieutenant has conducted a Citizenship Ceremony. Fantastic support from The Irish Guards cadets Mollie Kydd and Zara Dickson. Congratulations and welcome all.

A great chance to hear our 2024 winner, perform one of his prize recitals.

Thanks to the Friends of Armagh @churchofireland Cathedral for their invitation to speak at their annual dinner last night, on the life-long impact of being a chorister: the discipline, opportunities and joy. Pictured with current and former Deans. @_cathedralmusic @abcb_council

Attention School Teachers and Choir Directors!  Our training day is back again as our 2025 Festival continues, taking place on Thursday 23rd October at the Synod Hall, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, Armagh. Whether you're looking to refine your skills or boost your confidence, this workshop is perfect for you! Time: 10:30am - 4:30pm Cost: £30 (Lunch Included) Under the expert guidance of choral expert Dan Turner, this training will cover essential aspects such as effective warm-ups for your choir, Finding and selecting appropriate repertoire, recruitment, vocal techniques for teachers and young singers, building confidence in choral conducting and managing choir learning. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance your skills with bespoke sessions tailored for both primary and post-primary educators, and a perfect development event for any music teachers, facilities and avid learners. Book your place now: charleswoodsummerschool.org/trainingday @Education_Ire @paulgivan @NIACfEd @Education_NI @abcdtweets @SupportIrishMus @ArtsCouncilNI @WeAreTheMU

One of the hymns coming up in today’s #SoundsSacred - @bbcradioulster / @BBCSounds at 5. Do join me for this and many more, including @thepriests @RobinMarkMusic @WAbbeyChoir @CovCathChorus #PatBoone +++ bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00…

Thank you so much to our Colleague Richard Yarr MBE DL for his tremendous support of music and musicians in Northern Ireland. Congratulations on a highly successful CW_Armagh Festival and your important contribution to the Music at the recent @BLieutenancy VJ Day 80 Service.

As The Charles Wood Festival @CW_Armagh draws to a conclusion in the beautiful cathedral city of Armagh, congratulations to our colleague and friend Richard Yarr MBE DL and his hard-working committee on another fantastic celebration of church and choral music. Roll on 2026

The 2025 Charles Wood Festival has drawn to a close with a day of magnificent music in both of Armagh’s Cathedrals. What a week it has been – filled with music, learning, community and friendship. We extend our deepest thanks to everyone who has played a part in making this year’s Festival such a success. To the Charles Wood Singers, Girls' Choir, our visiting choirs, soloists, organists and performers – thank you for sharing your artistry and passion. To our audiences, whose enthusiasm and support gave every performance its energy – we are so grateful. We are indebted to our funders, sponsors and Friends of the Festival, whose generosity ensures that the Charles Wood Festival continues to thrive and grow. To our volunteers, staff, committee and many behind-the-scenes helpers – your dedication, time and goodwill are the backbone of the Festival, and we could not do this without you. Finally, our thanks go to the City of Armagh, who open their doors and welcome us each year with such warmth and hospitality. It has been a privilege to celebrate music together once again. We look forward to building on the success of this year and welcoming you all back in 2026 for another week of inspiration and joy. At next year’s Festival, 16–23 August 2026, we will mark the 100th anniversary of the death of Charles Wood. This centenary edition will honour Wood’s legacy with a week of exceptional music making, world-class performances, premieres, and tributes from artists and ensembles who continue to be shaped by his influence.

The Charles Wood Gala Concert This special event brings together a distinguished line-up of musicians closely associated with the Festival for a magnificent evening of music. The Charles Wood Singers, under the direction of David Hill, will be joined by the Charles Wood Girls’ Choir, conducted by Christopher Gray. They’ll be accompanied by Philip Scriven and Luke Bond. Soprano Ellie Donald, Senior Runner-up in the 2025 Charles Wood International Song Competition, will also perform alongside acclaimed pianist Ruth McGinley, as well as the freshly crowned Senior Winner of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition. Music includes movements from Palestrina’s Missa Assumpta est Maria – to mark the 500th anniversary of his birth. Also Joanna Marsh’s Evening Hymn and Parry’s rousing Hear My Words, Ye People. A true celebration of the Festival’s talent and spirit, this promises to be a real highlight. Time: 8.00pm Venue: St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral Admission: £15 / Under-16 £5. @abcb_council @ArtsCouncilNI @UlsterCarpets @NIIOC1 Tickets on the door or at charleswoodsummerschool.org/events

And they’ve arrived 😊⭐️🎉 #seniorcompetitors2025