“Colin Mawby Prize” to inspire next generation of composers
- CultureHead Staff
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Phoebe Savage (17) from Co. Antrim will see her winning composition performed at this year’s New Music Dublin festival by Chamber Choir Ireland
Chamber Choir Ireland has just announced the winner of the inaugural Colin Mawby Composition Prize.
The prize has been awarded to Phoebe Savage, aged 17, from Carrickfergus Grammar School, Co. Antrim. Savage was selected from over 30 students across Ireland and Northern Ireland, and as part of the prize, her winning composition, titled “Time of Roses”, will be performed at this year’s New Music Dublin festival by Chamber Choir Ireland.
The award is named in honour of the late Colin Mawby who founded Chamber Choir Ireland in 1996, having previously served as the RTÉ choral director. The new award will be given each year to one young person at secondary school level in recognition of outstanding achievement.
Speaking at the award ceremony in the National Concert Hall, Chamber Choir Ireland CEO Majella Hollywood congratulated the young people involved:
“We’re thrilled to announce the winner of the inaugural Colin Mawby Composition Prize, in honour of the legacy of the choir's founder. It is our vision that the annual award will help inspire and nurture the future generation of young composers in Ireland. Congratulations to all the students who took part from schools across the country, and to the winner Phoebe Savage, we look forward to seeing your work performed live at New Music Dublin.”
The winner was selected from participants in this year's Composers in the Classroom initiative, an annual outreach educational programme in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre, which gives secondary school students across Ireland the opportunity to compose their own choral music. Applications for the next round of Composers in the Classroom will open later this spring, and music teachers are encouraged to apply on behalf of their students for the 2026/27 intake.
The new award has been established to mark Chamber Choir Ireland’s 30th anniversary. Elsewhere as part of the anniversary programme, the choir is set to perform “Love Blooms”, a romance-themed concert under guest director Ellie Slorach at Dublin's Pepper Canister Church on 7th February.
Following that, the choir’s newly appointed conductor and artistic director, Gabriel Crouch, will make his debut with “To Star the Dark”, spotlighting 21st-century women composers in concerts at Pepper Canister Church in Dublin on 7th March, and at Clonmel's Finding a Voice festival the following day, on 8th March.
For further information see chamberchoirireland.com
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