The Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal competition, which this year focuses on flute and whistle playing, is seeking final submissions before the deadline of this Friday 2 October. 

This is the sixth year of the competition, which was established by the composer’s son Peadar Ó Riada ‘to counteract the over-emphasis on technicality in other music competitions, and the failure to recognise the importance of spirit and musicality in playing.’

Last year, the competition was won by fiddle-player Darragh Curtin from Brosna in Kerry. Other previous winners include Cormac Begley, Tim McHugh, Aoife Ní Bhriain, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn and Oisín Morrison. 

A shortlist of 15 competitors will be invited to perform at the final in Cork on 5 February 2016, which will be broadcast live on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

To apply, applicants should record five tracks of unaccompanied music and upload them to www.cuireadhchunceoil.ie. Ó Riada will be playing some of the entries on his programme on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Fridays at 7pm. 

The 15 finalists will be announced during the Éigse Dhiarmuidín festival in Cúil Aodha in early December. 

The winner will receive the Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal, designed by Pádraig Ó Mathúna, and €2000. 

For more, visit www.rte.ie/rnag/articles/sceala/2015/0917/728498-bonn-oir-sean-o-riada-2015-fead/