Hey guys! My name is Étaín Finn-Henry and I am a member of the Irish Youth Choir (14-17yrs ) since 2024. This week I have been on my TY work experience programme with the Sing Ireland team. I have been to the Sing Ireland Office in the University of Limerick (UL) World Academy of Music and Dance; have attended webinars; discovered what happens behind scenes, and had the opportunity to help out with social media and met with other choirs. As part of my work experience, I was asked to write a blog about what it's like being a member of the Irish Youth Choir (IYC), my own amazing experience and what new members should expect.
As I said, I joined IYC in 2024 and was nervous to say the least. I had no idea what to expect. I had never even been on UL’s campus before! As soon as I reached Dromroe village and said goodbye to my Mom, I was immediately introduced to Jenny and the team, that's when I knew I would be ok. The thing I was most surprised by was how nice everyone was! I soon realised there were many new kids and people who felt the same as me.
After a sectional for our voice parts, I was singing soprano and that is where I met people who I'm still friends with now! The week of IYC isn’t just about singing, it's getting to know new people who become lifelong friends, sports, fun games such as open mic and the quiz and interesting workshops. By the end of the week you don’t even want to leave the place!
My favourite parts of IYC
The concerts and performances as a choir are definitely my favourites. I love singing in front of a crowd with all my friends and our brilliant conductor. Before this week of work experience I didn’t realise how much work goes on behind the scenes to create all of these brilliant opportunities.
Another really cool thing about IYC is that we get pieces written for us! Last year 2025, we performed two pieces which were new and commissioned just for us! How cool is that! The songs were Tadgh Kinsella’s “Tectonic” and Samuel and Sean Doherty’s piece “The Song that Never Ends”. In 2024 we had a workshop with Samuel discussing the piece they were creating. Samuel had asked us to write down things that are important to us and this was where he got inspiration for the lyrics. It was so exciting to work with Sean and Samuel while the piece was coming together and hear their ideas.
Since being a part of IYC my love for choral music has grown massively. Singing in a choir feels like home. I personally love when we sing more classical pieces, however there is always a huge variety in all of our programmes.
Opportunities IYC has brought to me
Since I joined, we have done many performances in amazing venues and places. In 2024 on the summer course we performed two concerts in the Irish Chamber Orchestra building on the UL campus and one concert in the Royal Irish Academy of Music building in Dublin.
In December of 2024 we had a Christmas concert which is still my favourite performance up to now! We sang christmas carols and amazing choral pieces with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. We had two performances in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick and one in the RIAM building, Dublin.
In 2025 at the end of our week’s course, we again performed in RIAM and in August we performed in St. Canices Cathedral during the Kilkenny Arts Festival which was an amazing experience!
2026 is an exciting year for us with a St. Patrick's Festival performance in Dublin city centre and another Christmas concert with the Irish Chamber Orchestra in December which I can’t wait for!!
Lifelong friends made
Apart from excellent singing, opportunities and working with outstanding professionals, the Irish Youth Choir and Sing Ireland has given me life long friends. Friends who I know will be with me forever. The girls I met on the first day I'm still so close with now, and have made many new friends since. The Choir connects us with one common interest that unites us - Singing. The fun times with the IYC and the friends I have made during my two years are some of my favourite memories.
Now you’re probably wondering what to bring with you for the residential week?
The Sing Ireland team always sends out a packing list for things like, comfy clothes, a rain jacket, performance clothes and toiletries. However, coming from someone who's done the summer week twice here are extras I bring. I always bring a few pairs of shorts as you never know with how the Irish weather may be! Also do not forget a rain coat as we do get heavy rain here. Bring clothes you like and are comfortable in, sleepwear, runners as we do a lot of walking day to day, toiletries which are like a toothbrush and toothpaste, phone charger and anything else. Performance gear is usually black, however the packing list will tell you what to wear. I wear a black dress to my ankles, black tights if needed, small black flats and my hair down neatly. I would advise to bring maybe one or two towels as the towels in the accommodation can be a little small. A water bottle is essential as you need water if you’re singing, and also pencils in case we need to mark anything in on our music. There is a shop on site however I always bring spare Soother lozenges and last year I brought a reusable cup and I made honey and lemon tea every night. The team stocks us up with food, lemons and honey and will refill throughout the week. However if you want to bring any snacks you can!
Thank you so much for reading! I hope my blog has helped any new members or convinced anyone thinking of joining! The summer course is the highlight of my summer. What’s better than singing and hanging out with friends!
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