2025 CHARLES WOOD INTERNATIONAL SONG COMPETITION
A full day of world-class singing awaits as the Charles Wood International Song Competition returns to Armagh on Saturday 8th March 2025. Now in its 7th year, the competition continues to cement its place as a leading platform for young classical singers across the UK, Ireland, and beyond. Hosted in the stunning St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, the event offers audiences a chance to witness the stars of the future in an inspiring showcase of vocal artistry.
A major highlight of this year’s competition is the presence of internationally renowned soprano Danielle de Niese as guest judge. Her expertise and experience as both a singer and mentor make her an extraordinary addition to this year’s panel, where she will be joined by distinguished vocal coach Paul Farrington, celebrated Northern Irish mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin and the Competition’s Patron, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE. Their combined knowledge and insight promise to make this year’s competition an unforgettable experience for competitors and audiences alike.
The competition is divided into two categories: the Junior Class (ages 18-21) and the Senior Class (ages 22-28), each featuring some of the brightest young talents in classical music. Whether you're a seasoned classical music lover or new to the world of song, the Charles Wood International Song Competition is an event not to be missed. The competition continues to champion the next generation of musicians, offering an inspiring day of performances that showcase the very best young vocalists. Tickets are just £5, available online or at the door. This is the perfect chance for young musicians to experience world-class singing up close. Come and be part of an unforgettable day of music, mentorship, and discovery in one of Northern Ireland’s most breathtaking venues.
Junior Competition
At 2:30pm, the Junior Final will feature performances from Katharina Bierweiler, Sam Britner, Lewis Menzies, and Cassia Moore. These gifted singers, representing top music conservatoires in the UK and Ireland, will perform alongside pianist Gail Evans.
Senior Competition
The Senior Final begins at 7:00pm, showcasing the exceptional talents of Ash Howard, Ellie Donald, Peter O’Reilly, Madeline Perring, and Jacq Herbots. These accomplished singers will be accompanied by pianist Ruth McGinley, ensuring a captivating evening of music.
All Day Pass
The Song Competition Pass grants access to both Song Competition Finals (2.30pm and 7pm) as well as access to Danielle de Neise's Workshop following the Junior Final.
Danielle de Neise Workshop
Following the Junior Final, a special workshop will take place by Danielle de Neise, providing an invaluable opportunity for young singers to develop their skills through expert coaching, furthering the Festival’s mission to support and inspire young musicians.
Thanks to the generous support of Armagh Credit Union, the competition boasts substantial cash prizes, including a £1,000 award for the winner of the Senior Class. In addition to financial support, finalists will have the opportunity to win the Dame Felicity Lott Song Prize, awarded for the most engaging performance of a Charles Wood song. Beyond the prizes, the competition provides career-enhancing performance opportunities, making it a key stepping stone for young singers. We’re also indebted to the support and funding from Arts Council Northern Ireland Lottery Funding.
Song Competition Jury
Danielle de Niese
Opera Soprano Danielle de Niese is more than just the most magnetic presence in modern classical music, or the woman described by the New York Times magazine as “opera’s coolest soprano.” She’s also the performer who’s shredding the classical rulebook with her unique combination of artistic credibility and exotic 21st-century allure.
Read more at www.danielledeniese.com/about
Photo: Sven Arnstein
Paul Farrington, Chair
Trained as a classical tenor, Paul enjoyed an active performing career, but began teaching whilst still studying and decided to make his love of exploring and teaching voice his full-time career. A founding member of the Professional Voice Users Clinic at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital over a quarter of a century ago, he worked there as an NHS Clinical Vocal Consultant for seventeen years. He now works closely with a number of Harley Street Consultants in rehabilitating both spoken and sung voice clients and is acknowledged as a leader in this field.
Paul has held positions in a number of major Conservatoires and Drama Schools in the UK and also worked as vocal coach on various West End productions, including Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Grease, Spamalot, Evita and Miss Saigon. He is now Vocal Technique and Vocal Health Consultant to the Royal Opera House Covent Garden; The New National Theatre Tokyo; Göteborgsoperan Sweden; and is full Professor of Opera and Vocal Pedagogy at the Kunsthøgskolen (Opera Academy) in Oslo, as well as visiting Professor to the Kunsthøgskolen Stockholm.
He was Music Coach and Musical Director on the movie Quartet, and more recently on the Oscar nominated The Theory of Everything. Much in demand for lecturing, coaching and teaching worldwide, Paul now divides his time between his teaching studio in London and recent and forthcoming engagements in New Zealand, Australia, Japan, the USA, Singapore, Barcelona, Madrid and Zurich.
Carolyn Dobbin
A Northern Irish mezzo-soprano and Samling Scholar, Carolyn began her career as a teacher of Art and Design before commencing the Opera course at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. Carolyn was Associate Artist at Welsh National Opera in 2010 and spent two years at Lucerne Opera House Switzerland from 2012-14.
She has performed extensively in opera, oratorio and in solo recitals, including appearances at the Royal Opera House Linbury Studio, English National Opera, Grange Park Opera, Opera Holland Park, Stadttheater Bern (Switzerland), and the Royal Albert Hall.
She has performed the roles of Carmen, Annio, Penelope, Bradamante, Polina, Meg Page, Dritte Dame, Lucretia, Amastre, Octavia, Nicklausse, Magdalena, Dorabella, Charlotte, Teodata, Concepcion, Scipio, Idamante and Angelina in La Cenerentola.
She recorded the role of Madeleine in Edward Loder’s rare opera Raymond and Agnes with Richard Bonynge, and the Queen in Ethel Smyth’s Fête Galante with Odaline de la Martinez. She released a solo CD with Delphian Records and Iain Burnside of songs by composers from Northern Ireland at the Ludlow Song Festival, and again in Belfast for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Northern Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Night Concert. Recent and future roles include the role of Madam Popova in The Bear, Mary in Der fliegende Höllander for Longborough Festival, Smeton in Anna Bolena, Fenena in Nabucco, Alise in Lucia di Lammermoor, and Carolyn will perform in Wagner's Ring from 2020-23. Carolyn established the Northern Irish Song Project which has seen her collect and record forgotten songs by Northern Irish composers, and also record newly written song cycles by current Northern Irish composers.
Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle
Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE is Lord Lieutenant of Belfast and Vice Chair of Northern Ireland Opera.
Founder of the Glenarm Festival of Voice in 2010, she has a particular interest in young and emerging artists. In a past life, she was a multi award winning soprano who studied voice with Noelle Barker OBE, Frank Caper MBE and Marc Rochester. She is now a regular jury member and chair, author and commentator on voice and cultural matters.