Up 2,000 singers are to perform at the inaugural four-day City of Derry International Choral Festival to be held in the city at the end of this month.
Festival director Donal Doherty.
The festival, the only one of its kind in the whole of the Britain, is encouraging participation from all music lovers while its diverse line-up aims to appeal to a wide age-group with choirs sharing the same stage as internationally recognised pop-stars.
Keen to show the power of choral music, organisers have programmed an opening night gala performance, which will see the internationally recognised choir, Latvian Voices, team with world-renowned beat-boxer, Lytos, to create a sound and experience like no other.
The opening night show will also feature sets from chamber choir Codetta and acclaimed Derry saxophonist Gerard McChrystal.
Grammy award-winner Imogen Heap is one of the star attractions of the “City Songs” event on Friday, 25 October, as a huge ensemble evening also welcomes Holst Singers, Codetta, Latvian Voices, Roundhouse Choir, Encore Contemporary Choir, Colmcille Ladies Choir, the Music Promise Junior Choir and the Orchestra of Ireland.
Singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Imogen Heap will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the festival, famed for her cross-genre abilities.
The four-day extravaganza will build to an exciting conclusion as the international competition sees eight competing choirs from across the globe, including representatives from Belarus, Cuba and Italy, vie for the coveted title and bespoke international trophy designed by local artist Maurice Harron.
The innovative programme will also engage the whole of Northern Ireland with a mixture of schools’ and national competitions while a choral trail and a sacred trail will take to streets and places of worship over the weekend, making groups and musicians accessible to all.
As well as entertaining the people of the city, the event will look to engage with choristers via a number of workshops for both adults and children.
Meanwhile, the festival will see a recognisable performance from Gospel Singers Incognito, Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalists from 2013.
Festival director Dónal Doherty said: “As we begin the month of October, the excitement and anticipation of a wonderful four days of choral music making in the city is really beginning to build.
“We’re putting the finishing touches to the programme and the magnificent venue of St Columb’s Hall is being prepared to give a warm Derry welcome to almost 2,000 singers. The city will be alive with song on the 24 – 27 October – don’t miss it.”
