About

Mission Statement

The Fleischmann Choir seeks to perform major works and large-scale repertory for mixed-voice choir and orchestra to the highest possible standards.

Curtis Auditorium, April 2023

Seumas O'Donovan

Background

The Fleischmann Choir was founded in November 1992. Initially called the Cork School of Music Symphony Orchestra Chorus, it sang in public for the first time on 22 April 1993 when it gave a concert with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in Cork’s City Hall to mark the opening of the 40th Cork International Choral Festival. The programme was of music by Aloys Fleischmann – one of the founders of the Festival – who had died the previous year. Shortly after this concert, and with the permission of the family, the choir was renamed in memory of the man who did so much to further the cause of choral music and choral singing in Ireland. From 1992 to 2013, the choir was led by founder-conductor Dr Geoffrey Spratt (former Director of the Cork School of Music, and founder-conductor of the Irish Youth Choir and Canticum Novum). In 2013, Conor Palliser was appointed conductor; and since September 2022, the choir has been under the direction of Tom Doyle.

The Fleischmann Choir has achieved an enviable reputation for fulfilling its mission to perform major works and large-scale repertory for mixed-voice choir and orchestra. Recent concerts have included Charpentier’s Te Deum, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, Poulenc’s Gloria, Vaughan Williams’ Towards the Unknown Region, Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem and Dvořák’s Stabat mater. In addition, the choir has accepted invitations as diverse as ‘Songs of Praise’ for the BBC, backing Johnny Logan during the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast by RTÉ from Millstreet, Co. Cork, and singing with Niamh Kavanagh for her RTÉ Christmas Show from Cork Opera House. The choir tours regularly with past performances in Como, Italy, and Cologne, Germany.

Schedule

The Fleischmann Choir rehearses weekly on Monday nights, 19:30 – 22:00, in the Curtis Auditorium, MTU Cork School of Music, Union Quay, Cork.

Rehearsals are organised into two self-contained terms (Winter and Spring), each generally culminating in a public performance.

Fees and Contributions

All part-time students are required to pay a fee to Munster Technological University for each of the two terms.

For the 2023 – 2024 academic year, the fee is €120 per term, payable upon invoice from the General Office. For members aged sixty-five and older, the fee is reduced to €100 per term.

If any member cannot afford the allocated fee, further information for a delay of payment and/or reduction can be sought through the General Office.

To cover social activity costs and help support performances, members make a contribution to choir’s self-financing account. The predetermined amount is based on associated activity and generally will not exceed €20 per term.