The beloved classical music competition run by Feis Ceoil Association has been held annually before Easter in Dublin since 1896. A showcase performance of the most outstanding competitors from this year’s Festival will perform at a special Gala Concert in the National Concert Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 26 April.
“ESB Feis Ceoil is an event of major significance in the development of musical talent in Ireland,” says Laura Gilsenan, CEO of ESB FeisCeoil. “By promoting excellence in learning andperforming music we can equip young musicians with skills that can last them a lifetime.”
The musical competitions at Feis are open to everyone to enjoy, and those who aren’t participants can come along as an audience member. For a €5 daily ticket, all of the competitions, from opera performances to children’s choirs, are open to the public. Information is available at www.feisceoil.ie, to help audiences choose which performances they would like to see. Tickets can be bought daily at the RDS.
Since 2007, the Feis has worked closely with the sponsorship team at ESB. Both organisations have similar heritage, nationwide scope and a commitment to promoting excellence.
The collaboration won the Best Long Term Partnership Award at the Allianz Business to Arts Awards in 2016. In response, Pat O’Doherty, Chief Executive of ESB said, “One of the things we want to do with any sponsorship is to make something better because we are involved. It goes much deeper than swapping a logo for the title rights.
"I am a strong believer that partnerships do get better over time. ESB has always appreciated the important role the arts play in every aspect of Irish life, especially in the next generation. It is a core value of ESB and it was important that our partnership with Feis Ceoil reflect this.”
Over the years, Feis Ceoil and ESB have continuously thought about innovative ways of keeping the partnership vibrant. Feis Ceoil started some new competitions such as the ESB Choir of the Year and a competition for amateur conductors in partnership with RTE Concert Orchestra – the first of its kind in Ireland.
For further information check out the website www.feisceoil.ie