Pupils from Holy Family Primary School performing at the launch of the second City of Derry International Choral Festival.
The second City of Derry International Choral Festival is just four weeks away and today the full programme of events, beginning on Wednesday, 22 October, has been announced in a launch hosted by new festival sponsors, City Hotel.
Over 70 school, local, national and international choirs will take part in a range of activities from competitions and workshops to evening concerts and choral trails, permeating the fabric of the entire city with their song.
The festival opens with the first Sing Joyfully! International Choral Symposium that includes a conductors’ workshop and the launch of a new catalogue of choral music followed by the Opening Gala performance in the Guildhall by world-renowned vocal ensemble The Sixteen.
Thursday and Friday will see school children of all ages take part in competitions and workshops in St. Columb’s Hall while also being treated to guest performances by visiting international choirs.
National choirs will enjoy the thrill of competing on Saturday and Sunday, and the highlight of the competitive activities will take place on Saturday evening with the prestigious International Competition.
Additional festival concerts will feature performances by renowned a cappella super-group The Swingle Singers, City of Culture Musician-In-Residence, Neil Cowley, and his Trio, local chamber choir Codetta and Utopia & Reality, Norway, one of the finest choirs in Europe.
Bringing choral music to every corner of the city, visiting and local choirs will take part in a series of community events.
Choral and Sacred Trails will take place in venues and churches in Creggan, Shantallow, Altnagelvin, Kilfennan, the city centre and more from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th October.
The festival will also host two afternoon concerts in The Playtrail and St. Columb’s Park House on Sunday 26th October.
Dónal Doherty, artistic director of the festival, said: “There is a real sense of excitement as we launch the second City of Derry International Choral Festival.
“Last year, the visiting choirs commented on the warmth of the welcome they received; that is why they are returning in even greater numbers this year.
“We are grateful to our sponsors for enabling us to plan such an ambitious programme.”
He concluded: “Now all we have to do is to sit back and enjoy a quality and variety of choral singing never before experienced in the city.”
For full details on the schedule of events visit www.codichoral.com.
Tickets are on sale now and are available to purchase from the Millennium Forum on +44 2871 264 455 or online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk.
At the launch of the second City of Derry International Choral Festival were – back Row: Fiona Crosbie (festival manager), Foyle MP Mark Durkan, Dónal Doherty (artistic director), Deputy Mayor Alderman Gary Middleton, Feargal O’Canain (general manager, City Hotel), Matthew Greenall (executive director, Walled City Music). Front Row: Caoimhin Doherty and Naoise Henry (Holy Family Primary School Choir).
The timetable for the 2014 festival is as follows:
Wednesday 22nd October
International Choral Symposium
Opening Gala Concert with The Sixteen and Harry Christophers
Thursday 23rd October
Primary school competitions and workshops
Evening Concert with Neil Cowley Trio and Utopia and Reality Chamber Choir, Norway
Friday 24th October
Post-primary school competitions and workshops
Evening concert with The Swingle Singers
Saturday 25th October
National competitions for female voice, male voice, mixed voice and gospel music (morning and afternoon)
International Competition (evening)
Sunday 26th October
Sacred Trail (morning)
National competitions for youth choirs and sacred music (afternoon)
Closing Gala Concert with awards ceremony (evening)
Tags:
