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UCD Philharmonic Choir

UCD Philharmonic Choir

Founded in 2007, the UCD Philharmonic Choir now comprises around 130 members and is offered as a performance module in the School of Music. The “Phil” performs a diverse range of choral music from all genres, regularly collaborating with its sister ensemble the UCD Symphony Orchestra in works such as Beethoven's Choral Symphony and Ein Deutsches Requiem by Johannes Brahms. The choir seeks to achieve the highest standards of choral technique and ensemble by exploring choral repertoire in an intensive and enjoyable environment. Its members receive training in sight-singing, notation and vocal technique, improving their general musicianship skills through weekly rehearsals. Works performed have included requiems by Fauré, Duruflé, and Mozart, plus core repertoire from Tallis and Vivaldi to Britten and Arvo Pärt. The choir has joined the UCD Symphony Orchestra in concert on a number of occasions, including several sold-out concerts at the National Concert Hall. Amy Ryan was appointed as Artistic Director in 2014, and her stewardship has seen a consistent development of the choir in terms of size, quality and ambition.

The choir can be taken as a module for credit or for fun. It is also a unique opportunity to meet students and staff from across the UCD campus in a performance-oriented and friendly environment.

Philharmonic Choir Spring 2024
  • Rehearsal Time: Tuesdays at 18:00 – rehearsals commence on Tuesday, 19th September
  • Auditions will be conducted by video submission or live audition
  • Video submission deadline: Friday 26th January at 5pm.
  • Live auditions take place on Friday, 26th of January from 12-2pm. Please email amy.ryan@ucd.ie to request a time.
Audition Instructions

Audition videos should contain three elements:

  1. Range test
  2. Prepared sight-singing
  3. Unaccompanied performance of a short song/excerpt of a song of your choice, no longer than one minute.

This video will lead you through the audition process: we recommend that you listen to it as you record your video.

Once you have recorded your video, upload it to Youtube, ensure it is unlisted, and then complete the application form adding the link to your video where prompted.

Deadline: Friday, 26th January at 5pm. Late applications will not be accepted.

For information on the Philharmonic Choir module please email the Philharmonic Choir Director Ms. Amy Ryan (amy.ryan@ucd.ie) or the School office music@ucd.ie.

Go to Audition Information Page

Philharmonic Choir Module - Frequently Asked Questions

Admission to the choir is by audition only. Auditions this year will take place by video  submission. The audition consists of  

  1. A range test 
  2. A piece of prepared sight-singing 
  3. A short performance of an unaccompanied song/ excerpt from a song of your choice  (no longer than 1 minute). This can be as simple as “Happy Birthday”! 
Audition Instructions  

Audition videos should contain three elements:  

  1. Range test
  2. Prepared sight-singing
  3. Unaccompanied performance of a short song/excerpt of a song of your choice, no longer than one minute.

This videowill lead you through the audition process: we recommend that you listen to it as you record your video.

Once you have recorded your video, upload it to Youtube, ensure it is unlisted, and then complete the application form adding the link to your video where prompted.

Deadline: Friday, Saturday, 16th September at 11am. Late applications will not be accepted.

For information on the Philharmonic Choir module please email the Philharmonic Choir Director Ms. Amy Ryan (philharmonic@ucd.ie) or the School office music@ucd.ie.

See above. Applications will not be accepted beyond this point.  

No, you are not required to re-audition or complete the form for this semester if you sang in  the previous semester.

Yes, you are required to re-audition and complete the audition form if you have taken a  semester break from the choir as your voice type may have changed (voice types: Bass,  Tenor, Alto, and Soprano).  

You do not need to re-audition if you have not taken a semester break, for example, joined  in Year 1 for both semesters and re-joined in Year 2 for both semesters. If you wish to re join in Year 3, you will need to re-audition as your voice type may have changed.

Rehearsals take place Tue 21st September and will be scheduled on your timetable. The first  lecture slot in the semester is usually made available for auditions.

You can take it for credit or for fun. Each module carries 5 credits and you can take it in one  or both semesters.

If you are auditioning for the first time, or re-auditioning you DO NOT register to the module  until AFTER you have passed the audition.  

OR if you are re-joining the choir and are not required to re-audition, you can register to the  module.  

If you are not part of the BA programme in Arts you cannot register to the choir and can  contact the School Administrator at music@ucd.ie to manually register you. Please indicate  if you are taking the module as an elective, or for fun.

UCD School of Music

Newman Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 8178 | E: music@ucd.ie