Concert to take place in Tipperary in celebration of International Women's Day

Chamber Choir Ireland has announced “To Star the Dark,” a special concert highlighting female composers of the 21st century and celebrating International Women’s Day.

The concert will feature the world premiere of a new commission by acclaimed Irish composer Amanda Feery, alongside works by some of today’s brightest choral voices. It will take place on Sunday, March 8 at Old St Mary’s Church in Clonmel, as part of this year’s Finding a Voice festival.

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To Star the Dark will be the debut performance of Chamber Choir Ireland’s new Artistic Director Gabriel Crouch and speaking ahead of the concert, Crouch encouraged audiences to come and be inspired: “It’s a profound honour to make my debut as artistic director of Chamber Choir Ireland, and to do so with a programme which spotlights some of the visionary women composers whose work is core to our wider programming throughout the year—work which is shaping contemporary choral music.”

The concert takes its title, “To Star the Dark,” from the work of Irish poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa, whose poetry will be set to music in a newly commissioned work by acclaimed Irish composer Amanda Feery:

“The piece is a setting of the poem Sólás by Irish poet Doireann Ní Ghríofa,” explains Feery. “The poem depicts the soul of a child who has passed on, returning to comfort their mother with song. What I love about Doireann’s poem is how she calls on folklore to help process and navigate this loss. I can’t wait for audiences to hear the piece”

Other programme highlights include “One Body” by Grammy award-winning composer Ayanna Woods and “gone” by recent Grammy-nominated Irish composer, Emma O’Halloran.

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To Star the Dark is part of Chamber Choir Ireland’s 30th anniversary season. Founded in 1996 as Ireland’s national chamber choir, the ensemble has led the way in increasing the appreciation of choral music in Ireland, receiving critical acclaim for its national and international tours.

Now in its ninth year, Finding a Voice is an ambitious four-day festival celebrating female composers, taking place in venues across Clonmel, Co Tipperary.

To Star the Dark will be the second concert in a three-year partnership between Chamber Choir Ireland and Finding a Voice.

To Star the Dark by Chamber Choir Ireland, will take place on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 4pm at Old St Mary’s Church, Clonmel as part of Finding a Voice festival.

Tickets are available here.