FEIS CEOIL: BY NUMBERS

Julie Feeney, Feis Ceoil Image Name: Julie Feeney, Feis Ceoil Description: Julie Feeney, Feis Ceoil Copyright: Credit photographer Clare Keogh
Feis Ceoil Image Name: Feis Ceoil Description: Feis Ceoil Copyright: Credit photographer Clare Keogh
Feis Ceoil Image Name: Feis Ceoil Description: Feis Ceoil Copyright: Credit photographer Clare Keogh
Lively Group Shot, Feis Ceoil Image Name: Lively Group Shot, Feis Ceoil Description: Lively Group Shot, Feis Ceoil Copyright: Credit photographer Clare Keogh
ESB Feis Ceoil014 Image Name: ESB Feis Ceoil014 Description: CMK 090422014 REPRO FREE NO FEE Amie Dyer of Drogeda at just 16 years is the winner of the Girls Vocal Solo Under 28 years and a student of Skerries Music School at the ESB Feis Ceoil which is taking place at the RDS in Dublin until Friday April 11. 5000 competitors are taking part from all over the country. www.feisceoil.ie Picture: Clare Keogh
Luke and Trumpet Image Name: Luke and Trumpet Description: "NO REPRO FEE" 19/3/2014 Luke Dowdall, 13yrs (Trumpet) who will competed in the classical music competitions at the ESB Feis Ceoil. He is pictured at the launch of the ESB Feis Ceoil which will host 5000 competitors at the RDS from March 31- April 11th , a Gala Concert will be held on Wednesday April 30 at the National Concert Hall for more information go to www.feisceoil.ie. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Broadcast Details: Sunday 11th May, 5.30pm

For the first time, Feis Ceoil: By Numbers takes an intimate behind the scenes look at the ESB Feis Ceoil, offering an illuminating portrait of the next generation of young Irish classical talent, as they compete for Feis Glory.

The ESB Feis Ceoil is an Irish institution. Founded in 1896 to counteract the neglect of music development in this country, the ESB Feis Ceoil continues to thrive as the country’s foremost competition for young classical music talent. Each year, the ESB Feis Ceoil features over 5000 competitors, representing all 32 counties, taking part in over 185 separate competitions over a fortnight of events. A roll call of former competitors includes James Joyce and Count John McCormack, alongside  more contemporary names such as pianist John O’Connor, Regina Nathan, Cara O’Sullivan and even comedian Risteard Cooper. And just to clarify – there’s no dancing at the ESB Feis Ceoil!

For 2014, RTÉ Arts has commissioned an observational television documentary about ESB Feis Ceoil, to be broadcast on RTÉ One immediately after this year’s event. Made and produced by Doris Magee, it will offer vivid snapshots of the wide variety of Feis events and participants, and address the prestigious history of the event.

For the first time, Feis Ceoil: By Numbers takes an intimate behind the scenes look at the ESB Feis Ceoil, offering an illuminating
portrait of the next generation of young Irish classical talent, as they compete for Feis Glory. We experience the exhilarating Choir Of
The Year competition, glimpse the rigorous adjudication process through the eyes of first-time adjudicator (and popular singer and composer) Julie Feeney, and are granted a rare audience backstage with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, as they play host to the ESB Feis Ceoil’s first ever Young Conductor competition. As with the ESB Feis Ceoil itself, however, this is a film about the musicians themselves, showcasing a series of performances from a variety of extraordinary young talent.

Filmmakers Derek O’Connor and Ian Whelan recently won a 2014 Celtic Media Award for their acclaimed TG4 documentary Ponydance: An Scannán: here they apply their unique sensibility to an oft-unsung Irish institution, for a film by turns funny, touching and – above all else – gloriously musical.

A Doris/Magee Production
Presented in association with ESB

Directors Derek O’Connor, Ian Whelan
Producer Tanya White