Two local singers to train with prestige choir

Two Westmeath singers were among the 15 of Ireland’s finest emerging choral singers from across Ireland and Northern Ireland who came together for the first of three training weekends as part of the CCI Studio 2025.

The CCI Studio was established to offer training and development for young singers, equipping them with the skills and experience to pursue professional choral singing careers.

The two Westmeath singers are alto, Faye Maloney, and soprano, Emma Arthur.

Faye won first place in the Sacred Music competition at last year’s Derry International Choral Festival with the Lynn Singers.

Emma Arthur is pursuing her PhD at Oxford University, where she is a Choral Scholar at Merton College.

Following a selection process last autumn, these young artists worked through the weekend with conductor Eamonn Dougan (The Sixteen, Britten Sinfonia Voices), in workshops and rehearsing side-by-side with mentors from Chamber Choir Ireland.

They will return for further training weekends in March and May

In addition to the training weekends, the CCI Studio singers will observe Chamber Choir Ireland rehearsals, attend CCI concerts, and later in the year, some Studio singers will be selected to perform in concert with Chamber Choir Ireland.