Do you dare to sing? We do and we're back, bigger and better than ever!

Dare to Sing Choral Festival 2026

One ticket. Two days. Ten exceptional facilitators. A whole lot of singing.

Dare to Sing is back in Kilcock for a weekend packed with music, creativity, laughter, performance, learning and connection. Whether you already sing in a choir, love performing solo, want to build your confidence or simply want to discover what your voice can do, Dare to Sing is a chance to immerse yourself in music alongside singers of all backgrounds and experience levels.

This year’s extraordinary line-up brings together some of Ireland’s and the UK’s most exciting choir directors, vocal coaches, performers, arrangers and creative facilitators.

Across the festival, you can expect expertise spanning gospel, pop, contemporary choir, solo singing, vocal technique, musical theatre, choral arranging, community singing and beatboxing.

We’re keeping the full workshop programme under wraps for just a little longer—but trust us, there will be plenty to choose from!

Your full festival ticket includes:

The opening workshop and performance on Friday 9th Oct from 6.30pm

Three workshops of your choice on Saturday (two big group workshops and one small specialised workshop with capped numbers)

Entry to the Dare to Sing concert on Saturday night

Entry to the festival after-party on Saturday night

Opportunities to perform during the festival

A full weekend of singing, learning, music and connection

All of this is included in one festival pass:

€75 for SUSO choir members

€85 General Admission

How workshop booking works

Please read the following carefully. Buying your festival ticket and choosing your workshops are two separate steps.

Step 1: Buy your festival ticket now

Your ticket gives you access to the full Dare to Sing festival - including the Friday opening event, three Saturday workshops, Saturday night’s concert and the after-party.

You do not choose your individual Saturday workshops when purchasing your festival ticket.

Step 2: Full Workshop details are released on Monday, 14 September

The complete workshop programme will be revealed on 14 September.

Everyone who has purchased a ticket will receive the information by email. SUSO choir members will also receive festival information through the usual WhatsApp channels.

This gives you time to read through the programme and decide which workshops you would most like to attend.

Step 3: Workshop booking opens at 6pm on Monday, 21 September

Ticket holders will receive an email that day containing the workshop-booking link.

Workshop places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so we strongly recommend booking your festival ticket in advance and being ready to make your selections when booking opens at 6pm on Sept 21st.

Please note: Festival tickets will remain available after 21 September

You can still purchase a festival ticket after workshop booking opens. However, some workshops may already be full, so you may not be able to secure your first choices. If you book after 21st of September you will be emailed your workshop booking link within 24 hours and can choose from what is still available.

If there are particular styles or facilitators you are especially interested in, buying early will give you the best opportunity to access the widest selection, and it is also really helpful for us on the management side.

Meet the 2026 facilitators!

Craig Lees

Craig is an internationally renowned contemporary vocal coach, choral director and arranger. He will be working with pop and rock choir and with soloists and we cant wait - we never cease to be amazed by what we learn from Craig! We have had him every year at our choral festival because you keep asking to bring him back - you ask and we deliver!!

Declan Davies

Declan is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, arranger and Lecturer in Songwriting at Leeds Conservatoire. He has delivered songwriting and choral workshops internationally and works with artists, writers and record labels across the music industry. Craig and Declan have become firm Dare to Sing favourites—and anyone who has worked with them before will understand why! This year Declan will also be offering songwriting and soloist workshops.

Tim Uffindell

Tim is an internationally highly experienced vocal coach, choir director and workshop facilitator specialising in gospel and community singing. He has led mass choirs and festival sessions across the UK and Europe, bringing the same commitment and energy to every group he meets.

His warm, holistic and inclusive approach helps singers develop healthy vocal skills, build confidence and sing with freedom and passion. Tim has a remarkable ability to bring a room of people together and have them creating something powerful in a very short space of time. We cant wait to have him join us for the first time - we will give him the best SUSO welcome!

Ross Scanlon

Ross is a professional tenor, vocal specialist and Lect

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