Members Directory

Since moving from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall in February 2022 , with the National Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony Chorus and Cór Linn youth choir, we are enjoying rehearsals in our new home and opportunities to take part in exciting projects and concerts.

We meet in the NCH twice a week during term time and perform regularly, with Christmas always being particularly busy! The choir has sung in hundreds of events, working with guest musicians of the highest calibre, appearing on RTÉ TV and Radio as well as performances with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Our Team provides first-class choral tuition in a relaxed and happy atmosphere where young singers can develop both vocally and socially. The repertoire is varied with the best music from all genres. Many members continue their singing in Cór Linn youth choir and as adults, life-long friendships are formed and many have returned as Cór staff.

Singing is not just a hobby for us, it is a vital part of who we are, and as we head into our futures, we go confidently, knowing that we have been given, literally, Voices for Life.

If you would like to know more about joining us, please contact Lesley - lesley.bishop@nch.ie 087 247 2993

Rehearsal Times: during term time - Wednesday 5pm-6.30pm; Saturday 9.30am-11am plus concert dates as required

We perform two major concerts annually, one at Christmas and the other in the Spring. The choir

takes pride in singing many of the great choral masterpieces, including Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Bach’s

B Minor Mass, Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, Faure’s Requiem and Haydn’s Creation. We

have also premiered new works by leading contemporary composers, including Bob Chilcott’s On

Christmas Night and Jonathan Dove’s Arion and the Dolphin.

In 2005, the Society received the Santa Cecilia Choral Award from the Vocal Heritage Association of

Ireland in recognition of its contribution to Dublin’s cultural life since 1898. In 2006, we were

pleased to be chosen as the Ryder Cup Choir at the opening of the tournament in the K Club, Co.

Kildare. In 2016, the choir participated in A Nation’s Voice, a celebration of the 1916 rising,

comprising about 1,000 voices.

In 2017, Culwick performed at the Canta Al Mar International Choral Festival in Calella, Spain, along

with many other choirs from around the world.

In 2018, to mark its 120th year, we commissioned a piece by the Irish composer, Sean Doherty,

based on the Brendan Kennelly poem the Happy Grass. It was premiered by Culwick at the National

Concert Hall in December of that year.

The choir, which has over 70 members, was formed to create a community of people who love to sing and enjoy the many health benefits associated with choral singing. There are no auditions.

Rehearsals are held in Dalkey on Wednesday afternoons, under the direction of Derek Verso, whose emphasis is on enjoyment and the love of singing. Members also get together informally for line practice.

The choir gives an annual summer concert in Dalkey and a Christmas concert to support a local charity. We also sing in a local care home, Dalkey library, a local church and have participated in Limerick Sings festival on two occasions.

As a mixed community of like-minded people, we participate in artistic expression, integration and interfaith dialogue in the heart of Dublin City. Since its foundation in 2004, Discovery has grown from a small community group to a widely celebrated choir. Ever-growing in demand, we have graced the stages on The Late Late Show, at Electric Picnic, in Áras an Uachtaráin, for the 'Ireland 2016' commemorations and alongside renowned artists such as Stevie Wonder, Kíla, Sinead O’Connor, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Gemma Hayes to name only a few. Discovery currently includes over 35 members of 14 different nationalities and a diverse repertoire of gospel and world music in over 30 different languages. New members are welcome – singers learn by ear and an audition is required. Feel free to get in touch.

The choir's repertoire is wide-ranging; from Pergolesi to Cole Porter and encompasses classical, blues, jazz, spiritual and pop. The choir is a fun-loving but hard-working group and has grown in both standard and numbers. Conductor Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh has recently joined and the choir is now seeking new members. An ability to sight read is an advantage but not required. Diva Voces has featured on RTÉ Radio's 'The Business' and 'The Arts Show' and performs concerts regularly.

Positivity, community and musical excellence are the 3 core values of the choir, and the atmosphere at rehearsals promotes and reflects these ideals. The music sung is an eclectic mix of choral favourites, modern arrangements of popular and traditional music from various cultures along with modern choral compositions. Dolce has travelled abroad to Bilbao, Bonn, Bratislava and looks forward to more trips following COVID. Singing in small groups in wooded areas of a local public park, Dolce succeeded in staying together throughout the COVID lockdowns but members are delighted to be rehearsing normally again. Dolce has won many prizes in choral festivals and competitions throughout Ireland.