The National Concert Hall has announced that applications are now open for two opportunities for young composers and singers – the Jerome Hynes Young Composers Competition and the Bernadette Greevy Bursary Award. The awards, which are open to artists living in, or from, Ireland offer financial bursaries and performance opportunities. The deadline for both awards is 21 June 2024. 

Jerome Hynes Young Composers Award 
The Jerome Hynes Young Composers Award 2024 is open to composers aged 30 and under. The winner will be commissioned by the NCH to compose a new work that will premiere at the venue and will also receive a prize of €2,500. Applicants must submit the scores of two works, at least one of which is for solo voice and piano. The award is named after the late managing director of Wexford Festival Opera who later became a board member of the NCH, the Arts Council and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival.

Previous recipients of the award include Robin Haigh (2023), Anselm McDonnell (2022), Timothy Doyle (2020), Kevin Terry (2019), Christopher Moriarty (2018), Robert Coleman (2017), David Coonan (2016), Eoghan Desmond (2015), Alex Dowling and Amanda Feery (2014), and Emma O’Halloran (2013).  

Bernadette Greevy Bursary
The Bernadette Greevy Bursary, named after the renowned singer, educator and founder of the Anna Livia Dublin International Opera Festival, is open to singers of all classical voice types. The winner will receive €5,000 to support their tuition and early career as well as the opportunity to perform at the NCH as part of the annual Bernadette Greevy Bursary recital. Applicants must submit a recording of their singing and should be available for auditions in mid-September. 

Previous winners of the award include Clare Quinn (2023), Kelli-Ann Masterson (2022), Sarah Richmond (2021), Susie Gibbons (2019), Sinead O’Kelly (2018), Sarah Brady (2017), Padraic Rowan (2016), Roisín Walsh (2015), Gemma Ní Bhriain (2014), Jennifer Davis (2013), Rachel Kelly (2012), Aoife Miskelly (2011) and Gavan Ring (2010).  

Commenting on the awards, NCH CEO Robert Read said:

We are delighted to provide these opportunities for the country’s emerging artists, supporting and nurturing their development and enabling them to bring their skills to fruition. Celebrating and fostering musical and compositional talent at all levels is part of the National Concert Hall’s central purpose and a key function of the NCH Learning and Participation programme, which seeks to promote access, appreciation and enjoyment of music for all. 

For further information on both awards, visit www.nch.ie.

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