The programme of this increasingly popular major annual event in Armagh is extensive and includes BBC broadcasts.
Sunday 21st August
18.30 Friends of the Charles Wood Summer School Reception
The Palace Demesne
David Hill will meet members of the Friends of the Charles Wood Summer School before giving a talk.
20.00 Organ Recital – David Hill and Thierry Mechler
Church of Ireland Cathedral
The programme will include selected pieces by David Hill and improvisation in the French style by Thierry Mechler.
Admission £10
In association with the Dunleath Organ Scholarship Trust, the Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters and the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition.
Monday 22nd August
10.15 CWSS Singers Open Rehearsal
Methodist Church Hall
An opportunity for choir directors, singers and organists to see the Charles Wood Singers rehearse under the direction of David Hill and Daniel Hyde, and to put questions on aspects of choir-training and conducting.
Admission £5
12.30 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition: Senior Class (Post Grade 8)
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Admission £5; Concessions £3
19.00 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition: Senior Class (Post Grade 8)
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Admission £5; Concessions £3
Discounted rate for attendance of both Senior Class sessions – £8; £5 Concessions
20.00 Seminar: The Achievements of Women in Church Music – Dr Aisling Kenny
St Mark’s Church
This seminar will attempt to illuminate the achievements of women in church music from the Middle Ages to the present day. Featuring live performance of new repertoire as well as audio samples and visual aids, it seeks to widen perceptions of the history of sacred music by acknowledging women’s significant and long-standing contribution to musical worship.
Admission £5
Tuesday 23rd August
10.15 CWSS Singers Open Rehearsal
Methodist Church Hall
An opportunity for choir directors, singers and organists to see the Charles Wood Singers rehearse under the direction of Daniel Hyde, and to put questions on aspects of choir-training and conducting.
Admission £5
10.30 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition: Junior Class (Grades 4-5)
St Malachy’s Church
Admission Free
13.10 Lunchtime Concert: Charles Wood Chamber Singers
First Presbyterian Church
Aisling Kenny (Director); Judith Gannon and Rodney Spence (Piano)
Featuring a selection of music including Brahms’ Liebeslieder Waltzes and songs by Gershwin and other composers.
Admission £5
14.00 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition: Intermediate Class (Grades 6-8)
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Admission Free
19.00 Northern Ireland International Organ Competition: Organ Masterclass – Thierry Mechler
Church of Ireland Cathedral
An outstanding opportunity to work with Thierry Mechler, Professor of Organ and Improvisation at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, Germany. Participants should be of Grade 4 standard and above, and should apply by emailing info@niioc.com
Participants £15; Observers £5
19.30 Traditional Concert with Brian Vallely and Armagh Pipers’ Club
First Presbyterian Church
Returning by popular demand, this internationally renowned group will perform a wide selection of traditional music, using a range of instruments.
Admission £10; Concessions £8
19.30 Sung Mass
St Malachy’s Church
Charles Wood Singers; Daniel Hyde—Conductor; David Hill—Organist
To include Palestrina: Missa Assumpta es Maria
Collection
20.30 Bach at Twilight
St Malachy’s Church
To round off the day, Daniel Hyde presents an hour of organ music, performed by organists associated with the Summer School.
Admission £5
Wednesday 24th August
10.15 CWSS Singers Open Rehearsal
Church of Ireland Cathedral
An opportunity for choir directors, singers and organists to see the Charles Wood Singers rehearse under the direction of David Hill and Paul Farrington, and to put questions on aspects of choir-training and vocal technique.
Admission £5
10.30 Organ Workshop – Daniel Hyde
St Malachy’s Church
Daniel will offer advice to players of all levels using the two manual mechanical action instrument. Participants should bring a copy of a prepared piece.
Participants £15; Observers £5
13.10 Lunchtime Concert: Steven Irwin (Baritone)
St Mark’s Church (Please note change of venue)
Steven will perform the song cycle Earth and Air and Rain by Gerard Finzi and songs by Fauré.
Admission £5
17.00 Choral Evensong
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers; David Hill—Conductor; Daniel Hyde—Organist
Collection
17.30 Vocal Workshop – Paul Farrington
Music Hall, Vicars’ Hill
Participants should submit in advance two copies of a prepared song of any genre, from classical to music theatre. Observers are welcome.
Participants £15; Observers £5
20.15 Ave Maria: Concert By Candlelight
Roman Catholic Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers; David Hill—Conductor; Daniel Hyde—Organist
To include music by Palestrina, Parsons, Holst and Bruckner.
Admission £10
Thursday 25th August
10.15 CWSS Singers Open Rehearsal
Church of Ireland Cathedral
An opportunity for choir directors, singers and organists to see the Charles Wood Singers rehearse under the direction of David Hill and Daniel Hyde, and to put questions on aspects of choir-training and conducting.
Admission £5
13.10 Lunchtime Concert: Malachy Frame (Trumpet)
First Presbyterian Church
Malachy performs a selection of music on a variety of instruments.
Admission £5
17.00 BBC Broadcast Choral Evensong (Radio 3)
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers; David Hill—Conductor; Daniel Hyde—Organist
To include Wood: O Thou, the central orb; Howells: Gloucester Service and Salve Regina
Members of the congregation are asked to be seated by 16.40
Retiring Collection
19.00 Vocal Workshop – Paul Farrington
Music Hall, Vicars’ Hill
Participants should submit in advance two copies of a prepared song of any genre, from classical to music theatre. Observers are welcome.
Participants £15; Observers £5
19.30 Sung Mass
St Malachy’s Church
Charles Wood Boys’ Choir; Nigel McClintock—Conductor; Ian Keatley—Organist
Mass Setting: Haydn, St Nicholas Mass
Collection
19.30 Worship Concert with The Mark Ferguson Band
First Presbyterian Church
At home on an open-air stage or in a local church, the band is much in demand across Ireland, north and south. With songs of their own which have impacted many and arrangements of both modern and traditional hymns, the band bring a fresh and lively approach to worship.
Admission £10; Concessions £8
20.00 Come and Sing: Haydn’s Nelson Mass
St Mark’s Church
Daniel Hyde—Conductor; David Hill—Organist
Bring your own copy. A limited supply of copies will be available for loan on the day.
Admission £10
Friday 26th August
10.30 Organ Workshop – David Hill
Church of Ireland Cathedral
David will offer advice to players of all levels using the three manual instrument. Participants should bring a copy of a prepared piece.
Participants £15; Observers £5
20.00 Gala Concert
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers & Boys’ Choir; David Hill & Nigel McClintock— Conductors; Daniel Hyde & Ian Keatley—Organists
Also featuring the Winner of the Senior Class of the Northern Ireland International Organ Competition.
To include music by Byrd, Harris, Parry and Wood
Admission £15; Concessions £12
Pieces performed in this concert will be signed by an interpreter from the Royal National Institute of the Deaf. In association with HSBC Bank, Noel Conn & Co., and Lennon, Toner and O’Neill Solicitors.
Saturday 27th August
12.00 Singers’ Concert
First Presbyterian Church
Paul Farrington introduces a range of material performed by singers selected from his workshops during the week.
Audience Admission £5; Participants Free
19.00 Sung Mass
Roman Catholic Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers; David Hill—Conductor; Daniel Hyde—Organist
Music to include Frank Martin: Mass
Collection
Sunday 28th August
10.15 BBC Radio Ulster Morning Service (Pre-recorded)
Recorded in Armagh during the week.
Charles Wood Boys’ Choir; Nigel McClintock—Conductor; Ian Keatley—Organist
This service, recorded earlier in the week, will be broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster at 10.15.
10.30 Morning Service
St Mark’s Church; Methodist Church
Members of the Charles Wood Singers will lead worship in these churches.
11.00 Sung Eucharist
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Charles Wood Boys’ Choir; Nigel McClintock—Conductor; Ian Keatley—Organist
Collection
11.00 Morning Service
First Presbyterian Church
Members of the Charles Wood Singers will lead worship at this service.
15.00 Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland 75th Anniversary: Festival of Hymns Methodist Church. Come and join with singers and local church choirs in singing a selection of popular hymns, both old and new, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Hymn Society.
17.00 Festal Evensong
Church of Ireland Cathedral
Charles Wood Singers & Boys’ Choir; David Hill—Conductor; Nigel McClintock—Organist
Music by Wood, Byrd, Stanford and Howells
Collection
Tea will be served in the Methodist Church Hall after the service.