Open Call for Composers: Write a New Mini-Opera for Young Voices based on Seamus Heaney’s Fables

Are you a composer from Northern Ireland — or based here — with a passion for storytelling through music?

We’re inviting applications for an exciting opportunity to create a five-minute opera for children’s choir, soprano, and chamber ensemble based on Seamus Heaney’s translation of Robert Henryson’s Fables.

This project is part of our commitment to nurturing emerging talent and is made possible through support from the PRS Foundation’s Talent Development Partner programme.

We are commissioning three composers to each write a short opera that will ignite young imaginations and showcase the power of music to tell bold new stories. These mini-operas will be professionally performed in Belfast as part of the Young at Art Festival 2027.

What’s the brief?

Each commissioned composer will work with librettist Shirley Keane to adapt one of the seven Fables into a five minute long libretto. We’re looking for creative, engaging, and musically inventive ways to bring Seamus Heaney’s timeless poetry to life for young performers and audience.

Vocal lines for the children’s choir must be designed for singers with a wide range of ability, as the Ulster Youth Opera is not an auditioned programme.

The Opera:

The opera should be written for the following forces:

Children’s choir (2-part writing that is sensitive to the changing voices of boys)
Soprano soloist
Chamber ensemble consisting of:

– Flute

– Clarinet

– Violin

– Cello

– Piano

We’re looking for:

Composers aged 18+ who are either from Northern Ireland or currently based in Northern Ireland
Artists excited to write for children’s voices alongside professional musicians

Each commission includes:

A £2,000 composer fee, based on Musicians’ Union commissioning rates (£400 per minute)
Support from our team including musical mentorship, libretto development, and workshops with young singers
A professional performance with children’s choir, soprano, and chamber ensemble

Key Dates:

Extended Application deadline: Friday 10th July 2026
Decisions communicated by: Friday 17th July 2026
Workshop with participants: September 2026 (exact date TBC)
Youth Opera rehearsals begin: September 2026
Piano and Vocal Score due: October 2026
Full score with instrumentation due: January 2027
World premiere performance: Saturday 6th March 2027 in Belfast, as part of Belfast Children’s Festival

How to Apply:

Please send the following by Friday 10th July 2026 to dafydd@ulstertouringopera.com

1. A short expression of interest (max 500 words or 3 minutes audio/video) about your background and why you’re interested
2. Two examples of your previous compositions (MP3s or links, with scores if available)
3. Your CV or short bio

Have questions?

Whether this is your first time writing for voice or you’re an experienced composer, we’d love to hear from you.