The fantastic five-day event starts with a masterclass in choral conducting led by renowned choral director and adjudicator, Georg Grün from Germany. The Dalriada School Choir from Ballymoney will feature as the demo choir for aspiring conductors to hone their skills and learn from others in a welcoming and encouraging environment.
That evening (Wed 23rd Oct), the ever-popular Opening Gala Concert will feature the Ulster Orchestra performing two very beautiful and popular classical works, Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, followed by Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings. A Festival Chorus of 100 singers from across the Northwest will then join the orchestra for an unmissable performance of Michael Tippett’s A Child of Our Time, with rising star soloists Charlotte O’Hare (soprano), Leanne Fitzgerald (alto), Aaron O’Hare (tenor) and Willliam Gaunt (bass), all under the baton of maestro David Brophy.
Thursday 24th October will see 15 primary schools fill the Millennium Forum for The Big Sing Workshop with Derry-born Kodaly expert and former opera singer, Rachel Chambers (nee Fisher). The festival then moves to Ulster University for a brand-new Festival Forum event entitled Singing is for EVERYONE! This new Forum will bring together a wide range of fascinating experts, leaders, practitioners, researchers, organisers, networks and advocates to discuss live issues of diversity, equality and inclusion in choral singing. Topics explored will include enhancing life through singing for those with disabilities, inclusion for LGBTQ+ singers, and coming together through song for migrant communities. The free event will conclude with the Totally Made-Up Choir, a participative workshop led by composer and Professor of Music Brian Irvine, weaving together the ideas and threads of the day into the World Premiere of a brand-new piece of choral music.
On Friday 25th October, post-primary schools from across the island of Ireland will take part in competitions and a Big Sing Workshop with German a cappella sensations, SLIXS, ahead of their own funk-fest show in Millennium Forum that evening. On Friday night, the super sextet will be joined on stage for two very special performances by 70 young singers from post-primary schools in Derry, Strabane, Donegal and Belfast, who will have had the opportunity of a lifetime to meet, rehearse and sing with SLIXS during festival week in preparation for a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
Saturday and Sunday (26th and 27th October) will see 30 choirs battle it out in national and international competitions across various categories including equal voice, mixed voice, youth choirs, vocal ensembles, sacred, gospel, pop and jazz music. The winners of the International Competition and all special awards will be announced at the celebratory closing gala concert on Sunday night.
Throughout festival week, there’ll be music all across the City of Song, and throughout the northwest region, as the non-competitive community programme will include 17 concerts, 40 pop-up Choral Trail performances and 11 Sacred Trail church services. Venues include Foyleside Shopping Centre, City Hotel, NW Transport Hub, Ardnashee School and College, Muff Community Hall, Eglinton Community Hall, Bishop’s Field Community Centre, St Patrick’s Hall Strabane, Moville Methodist Church Hall, Museum of Free Derry, Waterside Shared Village, St Augustine’s Church and St Mary’s Oratory Buncrana, amongst others, so there really will be something for everyone to enjoy. All community events are free entry.
The festival will run from 23rd to 27th October and is only possible with the support of funders Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Arts & Business NI and Enkalon Foundation, and sponsors Allstate NI, Heron Bros, The McGinnis Group, Caldwell & Robinson, City Hotel, Alchemy and FinTrU, for which the festival is very grateful. Tickets are available from the Millennium Forum Box Office and all festival info can be found at derrychoirfest.com.
