Lauder Scholarship 2022
We are delighted to announce that the winner of this year's William Lauder Scholarship is Eílis Fox.
This annual scholarship was set up in memory of founder member and former Honorary Treasurer of the Summer School, Mr William Lauder. Open to young singers from Northern Ireland applying to join the Charles Wood Singers for the first time, it enables the holder to participate in the Charles Wood Summer School week free of charge, including an individual singing lesson with internationally renowned vocal coach, Paul Farrington.
Eílis Fox is a 23 year old Soprano from Armagh and has completed her Bachelors of Music in Performance Degree with 1st Class honours at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) in June 2021. In September, she embarked on the Masters in Music Performance programme in the vocal faculty at RIAM and continues her studies with Professor Mary Brennan. Her professional training has introduced her to a broad range of musical genres, demonstrating the importance in having a rounded musical perspective, that subsequently further developed her vocal ability.
To date, Eílis has and continues to engage with high profile professional musicians and advanced vocal coaches, in order to actively enhance her performance technique. Participation in a one to one masterclass with Paul Farrington, an internationally recognised vocal coach, is of particular sentiment for Eílis. Involved in RIAM’s recent production of King Arthur by Henry Purcell, performed in the Samuel Beckett theatre, Dublin; Eílis thrived in this operatic setting and hopes to avail of further roles that utilise her specialised training. Other notable operatic engagements include her participation in ‘Banished’, composed by Stephen McNeff, and was performed in Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin. In addition, Eílis participated in ‘Dream Catcher’ composed by Kevin O’Connell, an opera that was later developed into a professional film recording.
As a soloist and member of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral choir in Armagh; Eílis had the opportunity to sing at the inauguration of Archbishop Martin. Moreover, Eílis took part in several concerts hosted by St. Patrick’s Cathedral, as a lead performer along side Fr Liam Lawton and Karl McGuckin. In up keeping with her career, Eílis is in demand to perform at weddings and funerals, as her vocal range allows her to sing a wide range of repertoire, both in folk and classical music.
