OpportunityDetails
Emerging / early-career women composers are invited to submit an expression of interest for an initial workshop with Irish clarinettist Paul Roe and an established composer mentor, hosted at the Contemporary Music Centre, Dublin on the afternoon of Friday 23 January 2026. Depending on the number of applications, a shortlisting process may take place for this initial workshop, with a maximum of 10 places available.
Following the first workshop at CMC, composers will develop their ideas into more detailed composition sketches for clarinet/bass clarinet. During this process, the composers will each receive an additional mentorship session from the composer mentor.
A maximum of six sketches will be shortlisted by the composer mentor for further refining and a public performance at a Public Workshop & Performance Read-through with celebrated clarinettist Paul Roe at Finding a Voice Festival on Saturday 7 March 2026, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.
The six composers selected to participate in the Public Workshop & Performance Read-through will receive a stipend of €75 and a Saturday Day Festival Pass provided by Finding a Voice Festival.
What we ask ofapplicants:
● Be an emerging / early-career woman or gender-minority composer
● Be born on or currently resident on the island of Ireland
● Be available to attend the initial CMC workshop in January and, if selected, the Public Workshop & Performance Read-through in Clonmel in March.
Application process
To register for this opportunity artists are asked to provide:
● One piece that is reflective of your work which will be used for the adjudication process. Send your score as a PDF,with an MP3 or electronic mock-up if you have one
● A short statement (max. 200 words) outlining your ideas for a composition for clarinet/bass clarinet for Finding aVoice 2026 and explaining how you would benefit artistically from the process. Please note that the proposed work should be for clarinet/bass clarinet only, and may not include an electronic part.
● Your name, contact details and an up-to-date CV
All applicants will receive equal opportunity irrespective of civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, ethnicity, or indigenous status.
Previous applicants and winners of the Emerging Composer Competition are eligible to apply for this professional development opportunity.
Submissions should be sent to: director@findingavoice.ie
Deadline for submission is Friday 9th January 12pm.
Finding a Voice 2026 will take place from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th March 2026 in Clonmel, Co.Tipperary, and will feature performances by Chamber Choir Ireland, Voice Trio, Banbha Quartet, pianists Mary Dullea, Isabelle O’Connell and Máire Carroll, and many more.
