Cookies
This website uses mandatory cookies to ensure website functionality. With your consent, additional statistical and social media cookies may be used on this site.
If you accept additional cookies, please select your choice:
3. Folk Influences in Contemporary Irish Music
Irish choral repertoire is increasingly inspired by folk music. It celebrates the story of a people as a living, evolving tradition still relevant in our changing world.
Join us to explore music that singers respond to immediately and that lies comfortably in the voice. Through composers like Michael McGlynn, David Mooney, Rhona Clarke, and Desmond Early, singers and conductors can access lesser-known repertoire inspired by the richness of the Irish folk tradition, take it back to their homes, and perform it with confidence! The repertoire offers a glimpse into the richness of Irish culture and the beauty of its people.
Lynsey Callaghan
Lynsey Callaghan (she/her) is passionate about excellence in youth choral music. She became principal conductor of the UK’s National Youth Choir (9-15) in 2024, and creative director of the Irish Youth Choir (14-17) in 2025. She also serves as the director of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs.
In 2017, Callaghan founded Dublin Youth Choir. Both the Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs and Dublin Youth Choir are rooted in a shared educational philosophy inspired by the Kodály approach, and the two organisations have collaborated on various initiatives as the Cross Border Youth Choir.
Callaghan’s work with adult choirs includes ten years as music director of Tallaght Choral Society, and serving as chorus master for Chamber Choir Ireland, the country’s flagship professional vocal ensemble.
Following degrees from Trinity College Dublin, DIT Conservatory of Music, and the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Callaghan completed a PhD at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Since 2020, she has been Head of Programmes, Research and Academics at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
Since studying at the Kodály Institute in Hungary, Callaghan has worked internationally as a musicianship tutor, including with the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain, Irish Youth Choir, and others.
Patrick Barrett
Patrick Barrett (he/him) is a conductor specialising in choral music and opera. Currently a chorus director with the RSNO Youth Choruses, the Royal Opera House Youth Opera Company, the Irish Youth Choir (18-28 years), National Youth Choirs (9-15 years), and the award-winning Farnham Youth Choirs, Barrett previously conducted the Irish Youth Choir (14-17 years).
Recent highlights include conducting the RSNO Youth Chorus in performances with Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Benjamin Grosvenor, and Nicola Benedetti. He also led Farnham Youth Choir to two gold medals at the World Choir Games 2024 in New Zealand. He has premiered works by Errolyn Wallen, Jonathan Brigg, and others.
Barrett’s commitment to youth choral music extends to preparing choruses for the Edinburgh International Festival, and for major international performances by the Dunedin Consort. As a dedicated music educator, he has worked with organisations including The Sixteen, BBC Singers, Wigmore Hall, and Aldeburgh Young Musicians, and has spoken at the Post Primary Music Teachers Association in Ireland.
Barrett collaborates with leading UK opera companies like the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, and Garsington Opera. He previously conducted the University of Birmingham’s Upper Voices Choir, University of Reading Chamber Choir, and Brockham Choral Society.
-
Age
No limit
-
Chorus Type
Mixed
-
Lenght
5 days
-
Level
A - ateliers for everybody