Newpark Festival 2025
17th - 23rd of Feb
The prestigious Newpark Festival is back and will be bigger and better than ever.
The competitions will be in-person remaining at
Newpark Academy of Music, Blackrock Co. Dublin A94KT44
Registration for the Newpark Festival 2025 will open on the 1st of November 2024!
The Newpark Festival is designed for instrumentalists and singers to compete in a relaxed and welcoming environment while receiving invaluable feedback from renowned adjudicators who are professional musicians themselves.
The Newpark Festival is an annual celebration of the immense musical talent that is throughout Ireland. The Newpark Festival welcomes musicians to perform classical and modern repertoire and to compete against other musicians alike.
View & choose your competition from the competition headings below.
REGISTRATION
TO REGISTER FOR A COMPETITION
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Entries for the Newpark Festival 2025 will open on Monday the 1st November, 2025.
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All competition requirements are stated below each competition heading on the festival page, please make sure you read this information clearly.
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All entries are made online on the Newpark website, through the register button at the top of the Newpark Festival 2025 page.
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You first need to register for the competition and complete the form.
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Once the form is completed, it will bring you to a payment page, to complete registration and make a payment for the competition you are entering.
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Payment are accepted via our website
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Choose your competition from the drop-down list & complete payment.
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Confirmation of your entry will be sent out following your submission.
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Competition days & times will be sent out in advance of the competition.
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The closing date for entries is Saturday 18th January 2025.
Festival Director
Mary Walsh – Festival Director Bio
Mary Walsh is a Dublin-based conductor with an MA in Conducting and a BMus from MTU Cork School of Music. During her studies, she conducted works by Stravinsky, Mozart, and Barber.
In 2022, Mary was a finalist in the Dublin Feis Ceol Conducting Competition, conducting the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. She also conducted the National Symphony Orchestra in the National Concert Hall's Female Conductor Programme. In 2021, she participated in the Sorrell Women’s Conducting Programme at the Royal Academy of Music, London.
Mary has worked as an assistant conductor on opera productions with Elaine Kelly and Stephen Barlow. Currently, she conducts the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir, Wexford Gateway Orchestra, St. Mary’s College Junior School Choirs, and Newpark Junior Choir. She also sings with New Dublin Voices, directed by Bernie Sherlock.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
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Entries:
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All competitions must be entered online.
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Entry fees are non-refundable unless a competition is cancelled.
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The closing date for entries is Saturday, 18th January 2025. No entries will be accepted after this date.
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Age Categories:
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The age groups for the competition are based on the competitor's age as of 1st January 2025. This means:
• If a competitor turns 10 on or after 1st January 2025, they are still considered 10 and under for this competition.
• However, if a competitor turned 10 before 1st January 2025, they must enter the 12 and under category.
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It is the applicant's responsibility to choose the correct age group on their entry form. Competitors will need to provide their date of birth and current age when entering.
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Performance Pieces:
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Where competitors are asked to play one piece, this refers to one short piece or one movement of a work.
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Each competition will have its own allocated performance time.
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Class Sizes:
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Large entry classes will be divided into smaller groups, with each treated as a separate competition.
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Competitions will not take place unless there are at least two entries.
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Music Copies:
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Copies of the music to be performed must be provided to the adjudicator before the competition begins.
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Note: Newpark cannot print music on the day of the competition; this must be done in advance.
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Adjudication:
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The adjudicator’s decision is final. No correspondence or discussion regarding the results will be entertained.
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Accompanists:
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Competitors must arrange their own accompanists. An official accompanist will not be provided.
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Prohibited Items:
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Active mobile phones, watch alarms, videos, cameras, or tape recorders are strictly prohibited during competitions.
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Objections:
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Any objections regarding noncompliance with the regulations must be submitted in writing to the Festival Director within 48 hours of the competition. Include your name and contact details.
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Penalties for Noncompliance:
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Breaching any regulations may result in disqualification and forfeiture of any prize awarded.
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