The Soloist 2021 is currently suspended due to Covid-19.
Vocalists (including soloists, duos or groups of up to six singers) between the ages of 13 and 25yrs who would like the opportunity to perform with CBOI & Peace Proms, can submit a short CV including links to vocal performances, for consideration, to cboisharon@gmail.com
ANNOUNCEMENT: In response to evolving Government guidance and in order to protect against the spread of VOVID-19, The Soloist has been cancelled for this year.
We sincerely thank everyone for their interest in singing with us and we hope that you will re-apply again next year. All entry fees have been refunded.
We are thrilled to announce that the Winner of The Soloist 2019 is Cobhla Surlis from Cavan. This year’s lucky winner will perform with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland to audiences of over 50,000 people during our arena tour in Spring 2020. Performances will be held at iconic venues including the Simmons Court Arena, RDS, Dublin; the Odyssey Arena, Belfast; the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, the Kingfisher Hall, Galway Arena and Waterford Institute of Technology Arena. In addition to these exceptional performance opportunities, Cobhla also receives the coveted Soloist Trophy and a €1,000 cash prize. We are thrilled to be showcasing the outstanding talent of this young stellar performer, Cobhla Surlis, to audiences across Ireland and the UK.
Cobhla Surlis is a twenty-year-old student attending Maynooth University. She is a member of the celebrated Maynooth University Chamber choir which recently won the coveted ‘John Mannion Award’ at Cork International Choral Festival.
Cobhla gained recognition in 2016 when she sang the National Anthem at the ‘Raising of the Flag’ ceremony to launch commemorations celebrating the foundation of the State. Cobhla has performed as soloist on many more notable occasions including during the recent visit of the Papal Nuncio to Ireland for the presentation of Pope John Paul Awards.
Cobhla enjoys singing both Classical and Musical Theatre and has completed the Royal Irish Academy of Music exams in Musical Theatre and Popular Singing to Grade 8 with distinction.She also has a silver medal for Sean-Nós singing.
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in The Soloist Competition this year. From almost 400 on-line entries, 50 of Ireland’s most promising and talented young performers made it through to the semifinal which was held yesterday (Sunday 11thAugust)at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum.
Our panel of judges had the unenviable task of selecting 20 performers to go through to the final. The finalists were Carla Moran, Dublin; Karina Hayes, Dublin; Sreya Sudheer, Dublin; EJ Dunne, Louth; Barry Murphy, Louth; Lauren Carroll, Meath; Lisa Moran, Meath; Helen Keenan, Monaghan; Classic Harmony (The Kelly Family), Kildare; Holly Prestage, Wicklow; Sophie Doyle, Antrim; Cobhla Surlis, Cavan; Mallory Maisner, Cork; Sarah Hoben, Down; Aoife ic Aoidh, Down; Aimme Banks, Galway; Kerry Ann McCreery, Sligo; Cleo Griffin, Tipperary; Caoimhe Boyle, Wexford; Hayley Crosbie, Wexford;
All of the finalists gave outstanding performances and any one of them would have been a worthy recipient of the title. Huge thanks to our judges whose impossible task it was to select the winner: Greg Beardsell, Conductor and Music Educator; Phil Ferguson, Performer and Music educator; Susan Forde, CBOI Director and performer. At the end of a very intense and wonderful competition, the winner Cobhla Surlis, was announced.
Huge congratulations to all our 2019 semi-finalists, listed below. Thank you to all who submitted a video, we have been blown away by the standard of auditions this year.
Our live finals will take place in 2 weeks on Sunday 11th August from 11am in The Mill Theatre, Dundrum Shopping Centre.
Tickets are available now from http://thesoloist.ie/final/
|
THE SOLOIST 2019 SEMI-FINALISTS GROUP 1 11am – 1:30pm SUN 11 AUG 2019 |
||
|
ORDER OF PERFORMANCE |
NAME |
COUNTY |
|
1 |
Lauren Clancy |
Dublin |
|
2 |
Emmagene Cooke |
Dublin |
|
3 |
Jessica Doolan |
Dublin |
|
4 |
Sarah Gordon |
Dublin |
|
5 |
Jack Hopkins |
Dublin |
|
6 |
Katie Maye |
Dublin |
|
7 |
Carla Moran |
Dublin |
|
8 |
Shereen Perera |
Dublin |
|
9 |
Karina Hayes |
Dublin |
|
10 |
Aimee O’Neill |
Dublin |
|
11 |
Rachel Davitt |
Kildare |
|
12 |
Ava Eustace |
Kildare |
|
13 |
Carolann Haskins |
Kildare |
|
14 |
Aimee Leanne Heffernan, Madison Domican Byrne and Emma Vaughan |
Kildare |
|
15 |
Grace Lauhoff |
Kildare |
|
16 |
Anna O’Connor |
Kildare |
|
17 |
Sreya Sudheer |
Kildare |
|
18 |
EJ Dunne |
Louth |
|
19 |
Edward Finegan |
Louth |
|
20 |
Barry Murphy |
Louth |
|
21 |
Lauaren Carroll |
Meath |
|
22 |
Lisa Moran |
Meath |
|
23 |
Tim O’Reilly |
Meath |
|
24 |
Helen Keenan |
Monaghan |
|
25 |
Rebecca Louise Kelly |
Wicklow |
|
26 |
John Kelly |
Wicklow |
|
27 |
Classic Harmony |
Wicklow |
|
28 |
Holly Prestage |
Wicklow |
|
THE SOLOIST 2019 SEMI-FINALISTS GROUP 2 2pm – 4:30pm SUN 11 AUG 2019 |
||
|
ORDER OF PERFORMANCE |
NAME |
COUNTY |
|
29 |
Lisa Dawson |
Antrim |
|
30 |
Sophie Doyle |
Antrim |
|
31 |
Claire Louise McBride |
Antrim |
|
32 |
Cobhla Surlis |
Cavan |
|
33 |
Faye Herlihy |
Cork |
|
34 |
Mallory Patrice Maisner |
Cork |
|
35 |
Chloe Louise Riordan, Jennifer Maria O’ Donovan, Molly Aideen Hickey, Abbie Elizabeth Palliser-Kehoe |
Cork |
|
36 |
Ashton Murphy |
Derry |
|
37 |
Siobhán McParland |
Donegal |
|
38 |
Sarah Hoben |
Down |
|
39 |
Aoife Nic Aoidh |
Down |
|
40 |
Rachael King |
Fermanagh |
|
41 |
Aimee Banks |
Galway |
|
42 |
Daniel Docherty |
Kilkenny |
|
43 |
Cameron Hurley |
Limerick |
|
44 |
Yvonne Breda O’Toole |
Offaly |
|
45 |
Kerry Ann Mc Creery |
Sligo |
|
46 |
Cleo Griffin |
Tipperary |
|
47 |
Caroline Kennedy |
Tipperary |
|
48 |
Fionnuala Knox |
Waterford |
|
49 |
Bernadette Maria Royo |
Waterford |
|
50 |
Ellen Leonard |
Westmeath |
|
51 |
Caoimhe Boyle |
Wexford |
|
52 |
Hayley Crosbie |
Wexford |
|
53 |
Aoife Goodison Lawlor |
Wexford |
|
54 |
Paula Miezlaiskyte |
Wexford |
PRESS RELEASE 13thAugust 2018
We are thrilled to announce that the Winner of The Soloist 2018 is Amber Leigh Dixon from Newry Co. Down. This year’s lucky winner will perform with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland to audiences of over 50,000 people during our arena tour in Spring 2019. Performances will be held at iconic venues including the Simmons Court Arena, RDS, Dublin; the Odyssey Arena, Belfast; the Echo Arena in Liverpool, Limerick University Arena and Waterford Institute of Technology Arena. In addition to these exceptional performance opportunities, the Amber will also receive the coveted Soloist Trophy and a €1,000 cash prize. We are thrilled to be showcasing the outstanding talent of this young stellar performer, Amber Leigh Dixon, to audiences across Ireland and the UK.
Amber Leigh Dixon is a 17-year old Soprano from Newry, Co. Down. Amber is a A-Level student at Our Lady’s Grammar School Newry and she is a member of the Flynn School of Performing Arts where she receives tuition from Fiona Flynn. Amber has made numerous appearances on stage in Musical Theatre performances. She has also performed on Radio in BBC Television. This year, Amber won the very prestigious Girls U18 Vocal Solo, at the ESB Feis Ceoil, Dublin. Amber was also the proud recipient of the Gilbert Award for ‘Best Female Singer’ at the AIMs awards this year which she won for her role as Maria in ‘West Side Story’. We are thrilled and very excited to welcome Amber to the CBOI Peace Proms Team.
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in The Soloist Competition this year. From over 300 on-line entries, 40 of Ireland’s most promising and talented young performers made it through to the semifinal which was held yesterday afternoon (Sunday 12th August)at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum.
Our panel of judges had the unenviable task of selecting 12 performers to go through to the final. The finalists were Sarah Gordon, Dublin; Leah Kavanagh, Lucan; Emily Carrol, Bray; Rebecca, Emily & Orlaith Kelly (Classic Harmony Girls), Wicklow; Cobhla Surlis, Caven; Phoebe Dipple, Wexford; Aoife Goodison, Wexford; Sinead Cronin, Cork; Christopher Green, Lurgan; Woha Mcgerald Akeh, Galway; Sinead O’Donovan, Tipperary; and Amber Dixon, Newry.
All of the finalists gave outstanding performances and any one of them would have been a worthy recipient of the title. Huge thanks to our judges whose impossible task it was to select the winners: Greg Beardsell, Conductor and Music Educator; Phil Ferguson, Performer and Music educator; Patricia Treacy, Virtuoso Violinist; and Paul O’Callaghan, CBOI Director and performer; Liam Monagher, Violinist and performer. At the end of a very intense and wonderful competition, the winner Amber Leigh Dixon, was announced.
Huge thanks to everyone who entered The Soloist 2018 competition. We had a huge number of entries and the standard is extremely high, so please don’t be disappointed if you didn’t make it through this year. The live semifinals and final will be held on Sunday 12th August, 11am – 6pm, at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum Shopping Centre, Co. Dublin. TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/…/crossborderorchestrao…/184709
Lucy Carolan, Dublin
Jessica Doolan, Dublin
John Carlos Estrella, Dublin
Alan Fitzsimons, Dublin
Sarah Gordon, Dublin
Johnston Adam, Dublin
Leah Kavanagh, Dublin
Sarah Kay Kenny, Dublin
Eimear Molloy, Dublin
Maria Nasypanaya, Dublin
Shereen Perera, Dublin
Emilie McCarthy, Kildare
Anna O’Connor, Kildare
Caoimhe McGuinness, Kilkenny
Emily Carroll, Wicklow
Classic Harmony Girls, Wicklow
Rebecca Louise Kelly, Wicklow
Emily Kelly, Wicklow
Orlaith Kelly, Wicklow
Cobhla Surlis, Cavan
Rose O’Neill, Meath
Phoebe Ellen Dipple, Waterford
Bernadette Maria Royo, Waterford
Aoife Goodison, Wexford
Classic Harmony, Wicklow
Camilla O’Connor, Longford
Saoirse Doody, Antrim
Conor Taggart, Antrim
Claire Louise Turner, Antrim
Sinead Cronin, Cork
Molly Buchan, Cork
Ashton Anne Murphy, Derry
Catherine Mary Mooney, Donegal
Amber Leigh Dixon, Down
Christopher S Greene, Down
Jessica McClatchey, Down
Woha Mcgerald Akeh, Galway
Saoirse Bennett, Kerry
Matilda Magner, Tipperary
Clara O Brien, Tipperary
Sinead O’Donovan, Tipperary
PRESS RELEASE 14th August 2017
KATIE WEIR & ROSS SCANLON – JOINT WINNERS OF THE SOLOIST 2017.
This year’s lucky winners will perform with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland to audiences of over 30,000 people in iconic venues including the RDS, Dublin; the Odyssey Arena, Belfast; the Echo Arena in Liverpool, the Kingfisher Hall, Galway and the Hub in Kilkenny. In addition to this unique opportunity, the winners will also receive the coveted Soloist Trophy and a €1,000 cash prize. We are thrilled to be showcasing the talent of these two stellar performers to audiences across Ireland and the UK in the coming year.
Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in The Soloist Competition this year. From over 300 on-line entries, 40 of Ireland’s most promising and talented young performers made it through to the semifinal which was held yesterday afternoon (Sunday 13th August) at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum.
Our panel of judges had the unenviable task of selecting 14 performers to go through to the final which was held directly after the Semis yesterday evening at the Mill Theatre. The finalists were (Back Row L-R) Deirdre Higgins, Alan Clarke, Melissa Anne Murphy, Aimee Kearney, Caolann Haughton, Anabel Sweeney, Ros Scanlon (joint winner). (Front Row L-R) Abbey Marie McGiff, Aimee Banks, Marby Ariola, Diarmuid McShane, Katie Weir (joint winner), Alissa Keating, Fiona McErlane.
All of the finalists give outstanding performances and any one of them would have been a worthy recipient of the title. However, at the end of a very intense and wonderful competition, joint winners were announced – Katie Weir and Ross Scanlon.
Katie Weir is 16 years of age and has been singing, acting and dancing as long as she can remember. She attends classes at Talented Kids Performing Arts School, Dublin and is also a member of MVW Talent Agency. Katie receives vocal tuition rom Maureen-Victoria Ward and most recently received a Distinction in her Grade 8 Musical Theatre Singing and a Higher Achiever Award from the RIAM.
In 2015, Katie represented Ireland at the World Championships of Performing Arts and won a Gold medal in the Opera category and was awarded a scholarship to the New York Film Academy to study Musical Theatre and Singing. She has deferred her studies until she finishes her Leaving Certificate. Katie has featured in multiple TV shows and commercials as well as musicals. Katie has played Blousey Brown in ‘Bugsy Malone’ and Beth in ‘Oliver’ both produced by Festival Productions at the NCH, Dublin. She has also played Eliza in ‘My Fair Lady’ and Cosette in ‘Les Miserables’ at The Helix Theatre, Dublin
Tenor Ross Scanlon trained at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama where he was awarded the Michael McNamara Gold Medal of excellence in performance. He continues his studies with Philip Doghan at the Royal Academy of Music, London. Ross sings widely in concert. Engagements have included Alexander’s Feast, Messiah and The Creation with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Messiah at the Halle Festival, Germany, at the Handel Music Festival, Dublin, and with the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra.
Ross’s roles include Lurcanio Ariodante, Masino La vera costanza, Monostatos Die Zauber öte and Scaramuccio Ariadne auf Naxos. Le Thérière L’Enfant et les sortlièges with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Hot Biscuit Paul Bunyan for Welsh National Youth Opera, Male Chorus The Rape of Lucretia for Irish Youth Opera, Bookkeeper The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny for OTC, Dublin, Remendado Carmen for Lyric Opera, Dublin, Bill A Hand of Bridge, Remendado Carmen and Tamino Die Zauber öte for Glasthule Opera.
Huge thanks to our judges whose impossible task it was to select the winners: Greg Beardsell, Conductor and Music Educator; Sarah McCann, TV and Radio Producer; Patricia Treacy, Virtuoso Violinist and Paul O’Callaghan, CBOI Director.
The Semifinal and Final of The Soloist 2017 will take place in The Mill Theatre, Dundrum Shopping Centrecommencing at 11am on Sunday 13th August.
Tickets available from HERE
| THE SOLOIST 2017 | ||
| SEMIFINALISTS GROUP 1 | ||
| 11am SUN 13 AUG | ||
| Luke Russell | Blanchardstown | Co. Dublin |
| Eimear Molloy | Clondalkin | Co. Dublin |
| Heloise Bosquillon de Jenlis | Dublin | Co. Dublin |
| Quincy Tilles | Dun Laoghaire | Co. Dublin |
| Robert Comiskey | Dundrum | Co. Dublin |
| Gwenaelle Noval | Glasnevin | Co. Dublin |
| Katie Weir | Koncklyon | Co. Dublin |
| Sophie Doyle | Malahide | Co. Dublin |
| Mathilde Bosquillon de Jenlis | Dublin | Co. Dublin |
| Aimee Kearney | Lucan | Co. Dublin |
| Shane Lavelle | Kilcock | Co. Kildare |
| Marby Arriola | Kildare | Co. Kildare |
| Emilie McCarthy | Kill | Co. Kildare |
| Laura Mary Aherne | Kill | Co. Kildare |
| Melissa Anne Murphy | Leixlip | Co. Kildare |
| Ava Eustace | Newbridge | Co. Kildare |
| Abbey Marie McGiff | Leixlip | Co. Kildare |
| Roisin Anne Lynch | Delgany | Co. Wicklow |
| Fiona McErlane | Enniskerry | Co. Wicklow |
| Wallis Hamilton Felton | Greystones | Co. Wicklow |
| Anabel Sweeney | Wicklow | Co. Wicklow |
| Karla Whelan Tracey | Arklow | Co. Wicklow |
| Diarmuid Mac Shane | Blackrock | Co. Louth |
| Conall McMahon | Carrickmacross | Co. Monaghan |
| Dearbhla McCreesh | Castleblayney | Co. Monaghan |
| THE SOLOIST 2017 | ||
| SEMIFINALISTS GROUP 2 | ||
| 2pm SUN 13 AUG | ||
| Makaela Maria Crowley | Killarney | Co. Kerry |
| Saoirse Kissane Bennett | Killarney | Co. Kerry |
| Sarah Cox | Enniskillen | Co. Fermanagh |
| Alan Clarke | Belfast | Co. Antrim |
| Amy Meehan | Letterkenny | Co. Donegal |
| Molly Jane Buchan | Clonakilty | Co. Cork |
| Aimee Banks | Moycullen | Co. Galway |
| Clare Quinn | Renmore | Co. Galway |
| Tadhg Stephen Casey | Castletroy | Co. Limerick |
| Emma Duff | Navan | Co. Meath |
| Caolann Haughton | Athboy | Co. Meath |
| Alissa Keating | Cahir | Co. Tipperary |
| Mary Condon O’Connor | Cashel | Co. Tipperary |
| Sinead Mary | Fethard | Co. Tipperary |
| Ruth Everard | Templemore | Co. Tipperary |
| Cherise Omoore | Athlone | Co. Westmeath |
| Deirdre Anne Higgins | Moate | Co. Westmeath |
| Cobhla Surlis | Cavan | Co. Cavan |
| Ciara Pidgeon | Bailieborough | Co. Cavan |
| Maria McGrann | Craigavon | Co. Down |
| Maria Meagher | Newry | Co. Down |
| Nadine Downey | Newry | Co. Down |
| Saoirse Doody | UK | United Kingdom |
| Ross Scanlon | Bray | Co. Wicklow |
1) WHAT WE NEED FROM FINALISTS by 5pm on FRIDAY 4th AUGUST
2) VENUE & DETAILS
The Semifinals and Final of The Soloist 2017 will take place in the Mill Theatre, Dundrum Shopping Centre, Dundrum, Co. Dublin, commencing at 11am on Sunday 13th August. (The Green carpark at Dundrum Shopping Centre is very convenient to the venue).
The running order for the competition is below.
Competitors should be in attendance from 10:30am (for SEMIFINAL 1 / GROUP 1) and 1:30pm (for SEMIFINAL 2 / GROUP 2). A warm-up room will be available for competitors
All competitors must sign in on arrival.
Minors (those under 18 yrs) must be accompanied by an adult.
From the 50 Semifinalists, a minimum of 10 will be selected to go through to the Final.
The winner of The Soloist 2017 will be announced that evening.
3) YOUR PERFORMANCE
Semifinalists should prepare 2 pieces – the 1st piece for the Semifinal, and the 2nd piece for the Final – should you succeed in qualifying.
Each Contestant will have a maximum of 4 minutes to perform
A sound system and microphone will be in place.
If you are using backing tracks, they must be emailed in advance to smcmart@yahoo.co.uk
Vocalists should NOT accompany themselves. If you are using an accompanist, please note, a full size KEYBOARD will be available. A piano WILL NOT be available.
If you are using a guitar accompanist or any other form of accompaniment, you must ensure that you bring everything you need.
No props will be allowed
There will be NO special lighting. White lighting ONLY will be used.
DRESS CODE: Please dress as you would for a formal performance.
4) MC
Contestants will be asked to talk a little about themselves before they perform.
5) JUDGING CRITERIA
Contestants will be judged based on their performance. The following factors will be taken into account:
6) VERY IMPORTANT DATES FOR THE WINNER
The winner of The Soloist 2017 will perform with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland on the dates listed below and on any other dates that may arise:
|
January “18 |
Sat 20 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
NUI, Galway |
|
|
Sun 21 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
NUI, Galway |
|
|
Sat 27 |
3pm |
Concert |
Echo Arena, Liverpool |
|
February ‘18 |
Sat 3 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
Simmonscourt Arena, RDS, Dublin |
|
|
Sun 4 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
Simmonscourt Arena, RDS, Dublin |
|
|
Sun 25 |
3pm |
Concert |
SSE Arena, Belfast |
|
March ‘18 |
Sat 3 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
Hub, Kilkenny |
|
|
Sun 4 |
2pm & 8pm |
Concert |
Hub, Kilkenny |
|
|
Sat 10 |
Concert / Tour potential |
|
|
|
|
Sun 11 |
Concert / Tour potential |
|
|
|
|
Sat 17 |
Concert / Not confirmed |
Newry |
|
|
|
Sun 18 |
Concert / Not confirmed |
Newry |
|
|
April ‘18 |
Easter |
|
|
Tour Potential |
If you are not available for all of these dates, please withdraw from the competition. The Winner must also attend CBOI rehearsals in Dundalk on Sundays in advance of concerts.
A trophy will be presented to the winner on the night.
The €1,000 cash prize is payable upon completion of all the above concerts.
The CBOI will decide the performance programme for all concerts. The winner will perform one or more solos with the CBOI and may also be expected to perform as part of a vocal duet or ensemble, or with a large group. The winning contestant must perform material requested by the CBOI.
There may be more than winner of this competition.
7) AUDIENCE TICKETS
A limited number of Audience tickets will be on sale for the Semi final and Final. Tickets are available on the Soloist website or by clicking the link below. A limited number of tickets will also be available on the door.
Individual ticket €10
Group ticket (group of 5) €40
Buy tickets for The Soloist 2017 at Mill Theatre,, Sun 13 August 2017
On Sunday 14th August, The Freemason’s Hall was gripped by captivating performances from 50 of the Nation’s most promising and talented young musicians and singers who had made it through to the Semi Final of The Soloist 2016.
17 were selected to go through to the Final and from the outset it was clear that picking a single winner would be a challenge. It has to be said that the talent of all the young performers who reached the Final, was breathtaking, and any one of them would have been a worthy recipient of the title. Many of the final performances were stunningly beautiful and flawless. At the end of a very intense and wonderful competition, joint winners were announced – Eoin Hynes, from Co. Galway, and Zena Donnelly from Co. Dublin.
The finalists were:
Back Row L-R: Heather Fogarty, Laois; Clare Celine Quinn, Galway; Aine Carroll, Cork; Lisa-Rose McMahon, Monaghan; Orla Sheridan, Monaghan; Yvonne O’Toole, Limerick; Laura Ann Carroll, Wexford.
Middle Row L-R: Melissa Anne Murphy, Galway; Katie Weir, Dublin; Zena Donnelly, Dublin; Aimee Banks, Galway; Jessica Owens, Meath.
Front Row L-R: Oisín Nee, Letterkenny; David Kennedy, Galway; Eoin Hynes, Dublin; Usna James MacErlane, Fermanagh; Leanne Fitzgerald, Kerry.
Tenor, Eoin is an honours graduate of N.U.I. Maynooth and D.I.T. Conservatory of Music and Drama where he trained under Emmanuel Lawlor and Trudi Carberry. He is a multiple prize-winner at Dublin Feis Ceoil and has performed with outstanding acclaim in many operas and as soloist with numerous ensembles including the RTE Concert and Symphony orchestras.
13 year-old Zena Donnelly has performed on National TV on multiple occasions and has achieved great acclaim despite her young age. Most notably, she has performed as soloist in ‘Voice in a Million’ at Wembley Arena; at the ‘UN World Peace Party’, and at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Royal Gala Performance. Zena also performed alongside Olly Murs, Jedward, Boyzone and Mc Busted at the Cheerios Childline Concert in 2015.
We are thrilled to be bringing these two stellar performers on board and are hugely looking forward to showcasing their talent to audiences across Ireland and the UK in the coming year. This year’s lucky winners will join the CBOI as they perform to over 30,000 people in iconic venues including the RDS, Dublin; the Odyssey Arena, Belfast and The Echo Arena in Liverpool. In addition to this unique opportunity, the winners will also receive a €1,000 cash prize.
Huge thanks to our judging panel whose impossible thanks it was to select the winners: Cherrie McElwaine, Maggie Doyle, Patricia Treacy, Sarah McCann and Philip Ferguson.
Sharon Treacy-Dunne, CEO of the CBOI, said: “Thanks to sponsorship from HMV and the Freemason’s Hall, the Soloist has managed to grow even bigger this year. The talent at this years’s competition was astounding and we are thrilled that two young outstanding performers will join the CBOI on stage for Peace Proms 2017. Congratulations to all of our finalists, semi-finalists , and indeed everyone who entered the competition. Sincere thanks to thank Paul McGowan, CEO Hilco Capital and owner of HMV, for his continued support of the CBOI.”
HMV EXCLUSIVELY REVEAL THE SOLOIST 2015 SEMI-FINALISTS
As proud sponsor of The Soloist 2015, hmv are delighted to reveal the performers that are going through to the semi-final of this year’s talent competition, organised by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI).
Out of over 450 singers, musicians and dancers who entered, 35 semi-finalists were picked from all corners of the island and will perform live in front of a panel of judges on Sunday 9th of August from 2pm, in the historic Freemasons’ Hall on Molesworth St in Dublin. The top 10 scoring performers will go on to compete in The Soloists Final, which is taking place later that day in the same venue.
This year’s lucky winner will join the CBOI, a full symphony orchestra comprised of over 100 young musicians from North and South of the border, as they perform to over 30,000 people nationwide in some of Ireland’s most iconic venues, including the RDS in Dublin and the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. In addition to this unique opportunity, the winner will also receive a €1,000 cash prize.
Paul McGowan, CEO of hmv owners Hilco Capital, said: “hmv are proud supporters of Irish music, so we’re delighted to be involved with such a wonderful initiative. The Soloist has already unearthed some seriously talented Irish performers and the standard of this year’s competition has been really high. We’re confident that we’ll be able to follow through on our promise of finding Ireland’s next big talent and look forward to seeing what the finalist have to offer on the day.”
Sharon Treacy-Dunne, CEO of the CBOI, said: “Under the sponsorship of hmv, The Soloist has managed to grow even bigger this year. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the semi-finalists on making it through to the live finals, and indeed to everyone who entered the competition. I’d also like to thank Paul McGowan, CEO of hmv owners Hilco Capital, for his continued support of the CBOI as we endeavour to find Ireland’s next big talent.
This is the second year The Soloist has taken place, and the first year hmv have sponsored it. Last year’s competition was a rousing success, culminating with 17-year-old singer Megan Ruby Walsh from Navan, Co Meath winning the coveted prize.
For more information check out www.thesoloist.ie
The full list of semi-finalists for The Soloist 2015 are:
www.facebook.com/thesoloistireland
Visit hmv Ireland on Facebook and Twitter.
