Choirs - WIT Music School - South East Technological University | Waterford

The SETU Choral Programme is one of the most dynamic and popular programmes of its kind in Ireland. Since its foundation it has nurtured thousands of the most talented young singers in the region. In a fun and engaging way members are encouraged to develop their singing, musical, creative and performance skills.

Our simple yet profound aim is to help children achieve high musical and artistic standards through choral singing. Central to the ethos of the programme is the development of self-confidence, teamwork, and a positive and aspirational character. Membership is open to boys and girls from Senior Infants to 6th Year.

All six choirs within the choral programme regularly perform locally and nationally, with the senior choir periodically undertaking international tours. Highlights include performances at Carnegie Hall, New York, the children's opera 'Lily's Labyrinth' and being slected as the closing act on The Late Late Toy Show. In addition to the programme's impressive performance history the choirs have been hugely successful at regional and national choral competitions. The senior choir of the programme, the SETU Youth Choir, have also received prizes at international competitions in Slovakia and Belguim, amongst others, and in May 2016 were awarded 'National Choir of the Year' at the Navan Choral festival - the first youth choir to ever win the prize.

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SETU Singing Club | Senior Infants & 1st Class

The SETU Singing Club is ideal for children who enjoy music and want to make friends while singing. This group works in a friendly, relaxed and social environment. Through fun, action songs, musical plays etc. members learn the basics of good singing and take the first steps of their musical education.

The aim of this choir is not only to help young children to sing, but also to grow in self-confidence. Concerts are staged throughout the year for friends and family and are an excellent laid-back introduction to performing.

Rehearsal: Friday 4:15-5:15pm

SETU Children's Choir | 2nd & 3rd Class

The next step in the Choral Programme is the SETU Children’s Choir. Hugely popular and enjoyable, this choir is primarily about fun but its members have also proven their ability to learn and perform some challenging music with enthusiasm and confidence!

In addition to singing in regular concerts and musical plays, the choir enjoys an annual appearance on the Winterval Singing Christmas Tree. The group has also featured in Waterford New Music Week's very popular annual concerts.

Rehearsal: Friday 4:15-5:15pm

SETU Boys' Choir | 4th Class - 6th Class

At this age, boys just want to be boys! So this, along with making the most of the special sound of a boy’s voice before it changes, lead us to have a boys’ choir for this age group.

Members of the Boys’ Choir learn a wide variety of musical styles, tackle music in parts (harmony) and explore important aspects of vocal technique. The choir has been involved in a vast array of projects and performances since its inception including a live performance on Lyric FM, recording a Christmas single and singing as part of a massed choir of 300 at the opening ceremony of the Tall Ships Race in Waterford 2011.

The level of the choir is such that they have participated and won at choral festivals such as Arklow and New Ross. From time to time the Boys’ Choir combines with the Girls’ Choir for concerts and special events. Together they have staged a children’s opera, won at the Feis Ceoil and closed out the Late Late Toy Show.

Rehearsal: Tuesday 5:30-6:45pm

SETU Girls' Choir | 4th Class - 6th Class

The SETU Girls’ Choir was the first choir to establish within the SETU Music School (formerly Waterford Larks) and it continues to be a very active and successful group. This choir has considerable competition experience and the high level of commitment shown by the girls means that they have developed to an advanced standard. They have been winners at Choral Festivals in Dublin, Arklow, New Ross and Waterford.

Travelling with the choir, whether on day trips to choral festivals or on overnight rehearsal camps, helps the girls to grow in confidence and independence and prepares them for travelling internationally if and when they progress into the Youth Choir.

Rehearsal: Tuesday 5:30-6:45pm

SETU Junior Youth Choir | 1st - 3rd Year

The SETU Junior Youth Choir is the newest addition to the Choral Programme. This group provides a new challenge for singers as they enter secondary school and allows them to experience the rich sound of a mixed-voice choir for the first time. As boys’ voices change, they are carefully nurtured and developed. Members of the choir continue their musicianship studies, while undertaking enjoyable and challenging repertoire at rehearsals.

The JYC travels to choral festivals throughout Ireland to participate in concerts and competitions.

Rehearsal: Thursday 5:30-7:00pm

SETU Youth Choir | 4th Year - 6th Year

The senior choir of the Choral Programme provides a fitting challenge for all keen singers of secondary school age and is widely regarded as one of the best youth choirs in Ireland. Members of this group take on innovative repertoire, explore advanced vocal technique and are given high profile performances opportunities such as collaboration concerts, national competitions and visits to international music festivals.

Highlights to date have included performances at Carnegie Hall, New York (see picture) and prizes at international festivals in Poland, Belgium, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The SETU Youth Choir has won many awards at choral festivals in Ireland. It has the accolade of winning the National Competition for Youth Choirs at the Cork International Choral Festival on each of their last five visits and was titled ‘National Choir of the Year’ at the Navan Choral Festival in 2016 – the first youth choir to ever win this prestigious award.

Past members of the choir have gone on to study music at third level and have received choral scholarships to various universities in Ireland and the UK. Many more have gone on to establish professional conducting and singing careers including some of Ireland’s leading professional, collegiate and amateur choirs such as Chamber Choir Ireland, Tenebrae, New Dublin Voices and the World Youth Choir.

Rehearsal: Thursday 5:30-7:00pm

Auditions for our 2023/2024 season are now open.

There are a limited number of places remaining across the six groups. Click here to book an audition

The audition itself is free and very straight-forward (a sample is available to view below.) There are two parts to the audition:

Vocal Assessment - Each candidate should prepare a song to perform at the audition. This could be a song from school or a verse and chorus from a favourite pop song or even a simple nursery rhyme for younger candidates.
Musicianship Assessment - The audition will also have some simple listening tests e.g. clapping back and echo singing. There is a short sight-singing test for older candidates along with some questions on musical symbols etc.