Our History
Diva Voces is a four-part female voice choir, founded in 2006 by Liz Powell to provide a choral voice for women singers. Many of the original members are still in the choir, but we have grown substantially since our beginnings. Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh took over as musical director from 2012 to 2017. We are now 60 women strong – and going from strength to strength under the direction of Duncan Brickenden who took over from Ruaidhrí in 2017. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings in central Dublin.
Our Standards and Our Repertoire
Our aim is to achieve musical excellence while maintaining an atmosphere which is always welcoming, friendly and inclusive – focussed on musical proficiency but always allowing for great fun and laughter. We sing in four part harmony and have developed an extensive repertoire and a very faithful following. Our repertoire ranges from classical and sacred music adapted for SSAA choirs to traditional Irish music, gospel, swing, folk and popular music.
Our Aims and Objectives
Diva Voces has a commitment whenever possible to supporting women artists and performers and to commissioning pieces from female composers for the choir. We are in the process of relaunching our policy of outreach to different voices and communities in Dublin.
Our History of Performances
We perform twice yearly, with Christmas and summer concerts held in central Dublin. In 2018 the choir performed a new work composed by Georgia Johnson, based on the work of the renowned poet Paula Meehan. In 2019 we were commissioned by the Sisters of the La Retraite Order to record a piece composed by one of their sisters for the congregation. Divas have also entered and won in several choral competitions – with prizes awarded in 2010 and 2015. In March 2018 we came first place in two categories in the Limerick choral festival. In 2018 we performed in Holy Trinity Church Westport to help raise funds for their organ repair. In 2023 we fulfilled our pre Covid plan of shared performances in Dublin and in Limerick with the American women’s choir Cantigas with the centrepiece the Irish premiere of a poem by the early 20th century social activist Constance Gore-Booth set to music by the renowned contemporary composer Sean Doherty.
Join Us!
We hold auditions twice yearly in September and January. We are always happy to welcome good singers to our choir. Sight reading is a definite bonus but not a prerequisite. We do have a strong commitment to our standard of performance – so we require regular attendance at weekly rehearsal and a commitment to practice between rehearsals as well as a commitment to the tradition of friendliness and mutual support. If you are interested in joining the choir, please email us at divavoceschoir@gmail.com. We will give you a warm welcome!
Diva Voces Committee:
Musical Director: Duncan Brickenden
Chairperson: Céline Leonard
Secretary: Miriam Marron
Treasurer: Eimear O’Broin
Concert Planners: Ruth Carroll, Cinny Cusack, Céline Leonard
Event planners: Kate Hogan, Naomi Zelman
Attendances and rotas: Cinny Cusack
New members: Cinny Cusack, Naomi Zelman
Printing: Naomi Zelman
Choir member for:
Media Design: Niamh Guckian
Social Media Manager: Tonyia Dowling
CLICK TO READ: DIVA VOCES EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT
Diva Voces are committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion within our choir community and beyond. We aim for our performances, membership opportunities, community engagement and decision-making processes to be accessible to, and inclusive of everyone. We oppose discrimination, harassment and bullying in all its forms.
We aim for our choir to be a safe and welcoming space for all. We strive to treat all individuals who engage with us fairly, inclusively and with respect. We aim to promote equality of opportunity, access and outcomes for all our members.
The following statements represent the key standards we are aiming to achieve:
• The choir is a safe and accepting space, both internally, including rehearsals and social events, and externally, when we interact with people outside the choir
• We publicise opportunities to audition and join the choir in an inclusive way to encourage increased diversity and inclusion
• We rehearse and perform at times and in spaces that are as accessible as possible
• We aim to have digital platforms that are easy to use and navigate for all
• Our leadership and decision making process will always be informed by a wide range of views and experiences
• We respectfully perform music from a wide variety of cultures and identities
• We engage with and reach diverse groups in the community
• We will continue to listen to our members and community, and we will continue learning about equality, diversity and inclusion, both in our day to day running and keeping these standards at the heart of everything we do as a choir
• These same standards apply to rehearsals, social events, performances and online spaces.
Diva Voces Choir 