Charles Wood Song Competition Results

Armagh once again hosted a fantastic weekend of music-making as the Charles Wood International Song Competition returned for its fifth year. The event culminated with the final of the Senior Class, which was held in St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral on the evening of Saturday 11th March. Five young singers aged between 22 and 28 each performed a programme of four songs, accompanied by pianist Ruth McGinley.

Dame Felicity Lott was the guest judge of this year’s Competition. The world-renowned soprano was joined by expert vocal coach Paul Farrington, Northern Irish mezzo soprano Carolyn Dobbin and Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle, Vice Chair of Northern Ireland Opera. They all had the difficult task of deciding which competitors impressed the most.

First prize was awarded to Scottish baritone Colum Donovan-Paterson for his exceptional performance of pieces by Alma Mahler, Franz Schubert and Henri Duparc, as well as an impressive interpretation of ‘Shall I Forget’ by Charles Wood. Receiving a trophy and prize money of £1,000, Colum will also have the opportunity of performing at the prestigious Charles Wood Festival, including the showcase Gala Concert on Friday 25th August.

Second place went to soprano Laura Coppinger, whose programme included songs by Maurice Ravel, Hugo Wolf and Felix Mendelssohn. Laura was also the winner of the Charles Wood Song Prize for her beautiful performance of ‘Shall I Forget’.

The winner of the Irish Prize was Aimee Kearney for her programme of works by Richard Strauss, Franz Schubert and Claude Debussy. Aimee is a former member of the Charles Wood Girls’ Choir and was the winner of the Junior Charles Wood Song Competition in 2020.

Irish soprano Aimee Banks was presented with the First Prize trophy in the Junior Class for her superb performance of songs by Gabriel Fauré and Gustav Mahler. Open to singers aged between 18 and 21, the runner up prize in the Junior Class was awarded to Samantha Brady, while the Portuguese soprano Madalena Tomé received the Charles Wood Song Prize for her rendition of ‘At the Mid Hour of Night’. All competitors in the Junior Class were accompanied by Tristan Russcher.

Senior Class finalists and jury members

Junior Class finalists and jury members