City of Derry International Choral Festival

Following on from the outstanding success of the previous two festivals in 2013 and 2014, 2015 is set to be even more exciting. The event will take place across four days, from 22nd – 25th October, opening with primary and post-primary school competitions and workshops. National choirs from both Ireland and the UK are invited to take part in a range of competitions on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October, including Mixed Voice, Female Voice, Male Voice, Sacred, Youth, Barbershop and Gospel categories as well as a brand new category for Vocal Ensemble.

The International Competition will be held on Saturday 24th October and will present a line-up of choirs of the highest international standing. Participants will compete for the ‘Oak Tree of Derry’ perpetual trophy, designed by Derry-born sculptor Maurice Harron, and a cash prize of £2,000.

The festival will also introduce a number of special awards across all school, national and international sections, further enhancing the experience of all participants and giving deserved recognition to even more choirs and their conductors.

In addition to the competitive activities, the festival will present a series of evening concerts showcasing local choirs and artists, and outstanding professional ensembles of the highest calibre. Plans are also well advanced for an extension to the Sing Joyfully International Choral Symposium, first introduced in 2014, and the expansion of the festival’s Choral Trails, Sacred Trail and Community Concerts will ensure that the exciting sounds of choral singing extend to every corner of the city.

The Artistic Director of the Festival, Dónal Doherty, says “The launch of the syllabus is an exciting event as it marks the beginning of the run-in to the third festival in October 2015. There has already been considerable interest from choirs who are keen to participate and we’re really looking forward to an even greater response following the distribution of the syllabus”.

To visit the festival website click here to download the 2015 syllabus and get details on how to apply.

Created as a joyous celebration of choral music-making, the festival provides opportunities for competitive and non-competitive participation for singers across a wide range of styles, ensembles and ages. School, local, national and international choirs are invited to take part in a four-day festival of competitions, concerts, pop-up performances and educational workshops.