About
The City of Derry International Choir Festival returns 23rd - 27th October 2024.
First held in 2013, the City of Derry International Choir Festival is now established as a major event in the musical life of Northern Ireland and as the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK. Conceived as a joyous celebration of all that choral singing has to offer, its activities include concerts by world-renowned vocal groups, competitions for choirs, workshops and educational events for singers and conductors, and community concerts and choral trails in landmark locations across Derry and the surrounding area.
The festival welcomes more than 60 choirs each year and recent festivals have welcomed groups from Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Choirs range from local and school groups to vocal ensembles, adult, community and gospel choirs. Internationally acclaimed professional groups featuring in our guest concerts have included The Sixteen, Tenebrae, The King’s Singers, Chanticleer, The Real Group, VOCES8, SLIXS, the Swingle Singers and Rajaton. The inclusion of such outstanding artists is a benchmark of the event’s high artistic quality.
Provisional timetable:
Wednesday 23 October
International Choral Symposium
Conducting Masterclass
Opening Gala Concert
Thursday 24 October
Primary School Big Sing
Evening Concert
Friday 25 October
Post-Primary School Competitions and Big Sing
Choral Trails
Community Concerts
Evening Concert
Late-night Concert
Saturday 26 October
National Competitions
Big Sing
Choral Trails
Community Concerts
Oak Tree of Derry International Competition
Sunday 27 October
Sacred Trail
National Competitions including Choir of the Festival Competition
Choral Trails
Community Concerts
Closing Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony
Watch this space for more details!
