ORGANISERS of the City of Derry International Choir Festival have opened applications for participation in the 5th edition of the autumn festival, due to take place from Wednesday 25 October until Sunday 29 October.
Following the outstanding success of the first four festivals, there are already even more ambitious plans for 2017 that include a guest performance by one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles, Tenebrae.
Tenebrae are renowned for delivering flawless performances and unforgettable experiences, allowing audiences around the world to be moved by the power of the human voice.
According to Classic FM, “Choral music doesn’t get more magnificent than this”.
In addition to all of the familiar elements of previous festivals – the five days of wonderful choral singing comprising concerts, workshops, choral and sacred trails, competitions and an International Choral Symposium – this year’s festival will also include the opportunity for greater community participation and a wider range of visiting international choirs in 2017.
School and national choirs are invited to take part in a variety of competitions that cater for all musical styles including sacred, gospel, barbershop, popular and jazz music.
The festival is open to all types of choral ensemble, ensuring that there is opportunity for every type of choir to enjoy the excitement of competing, meet new choirs and hear different genres of music.
As always, one of the highlights of the festival will be the International Competition, in which selected choirs will compete for the prestigious ‘Oak Tree of Derry’ trophy, as well as a cash prize of £2,000.
The quality and range of international choirs participating in this competition is growing each year, so early applications are recommended to avoid disappointment.
Non-competitive applications are also welcome for choirs to take part in informal Choral Trail performances in venues throughout the city, practical workshops with guest artists and adjudicators, community concerts and Sunday church services.
Dónal Doherty, Artistic Director of the festival, says “It’s very exciting to be planning our fifth international festival. We’ve already lined up some incredible guest choirs for the gala concerts and there has been enormous interest shown by choirs from all over Europe in competing in the International Competition.
Derry is now firmly on the world map as a quality destination for high-quality singing.”
Details of how to apply along with all available festival information at www.derrychoirfest.com.
