Acclaimed soprano is First Derry bound

ACCLAIMED Londonderry soprano Margaret Keys will join The King’s Chorale, Belfast, for an inspirational evening of music at First Derry Presbyterian Church later this month.

It is the first in a series of autumn concerts featuring the classical crossover soprano who recently signed a record deal with Universal Records and is now acting as an ambassador for Londonderry, UK City of Culture 2013.

She says the First Derry performance is “the first in a line of concerts that I will be doing in N.Ireland this autumn” and promises a night to remember describing The King’s Chorale as a “very highly acclaimed” choir who will be visiting the North West from Belfast.

The First Derry concert is billed a blend of traditional anthems and music from classical masters.

Margaret arrives at First Derry with an ever growing reputation amongst musicians and classical music lovers.

At the tender age of 15 Margaret was winner of the Trinity College of Music London Medal for the best overall performer in music examinations.

Since graduating with a First Class Honours and a Masters degree in Vocal performance, Margaret has sung extensively throughout Ireland, UK, America, New Zealand and Australia.

Margaret also has won numerous awards including the ‘International Artists Profile Award,’ ‘The New York Artist award’ and was chosen as one of eight finalists in the ‘RTÉ Young Diva of the year.’

She was also the winner of the BBC Fame Academy Award and had the opportunity to work and train alongside the Broadway stars, directors and producers of several Broadway productions.

She has performed internationally in New York, San Francisco and New Zealand, where she performed at the prestigious “Rotorua Lakeside Concert” to an audience of 35,000.

And Margaret was delighted to perform on the PBS American TV Special with ‘The Priests,’ which was aired in the USA.

She also featured in the BBC Proms ‘A celebration to Sondheim’ in the Royal Albert Hall as a former winner of the BBC Fame Academy Award. Bryn Terfel and Dame Judi Dench also performed in the Proms concert.

In March 2011 Margaret performed in several LA theatres, headlining the concert ‘Ireland’s Favourite Stars’ alongside America’s got Talent finalists.

She also performed in several Broadway Evening Concerts with the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra and was invited to join the acclaimed tenor and West End star Alfie Boe and the National Symphony Orchestra in concert. She was also special guest of the multi-platinum selling The Fron Male Voice Choir in their recent tour to New York City and in their UK tour.

In early 2012, Keys featured in the ITV Wales Documentary ‘Living the Dream,’ which was based on her tour with the Fron Male Voice Choir to New York City. In February she made her debut at the grand Ulster Hall, Belfast and was invited to perform on a special BBC Sounds Classical Crossover Programme. It also featured the top selling soprano Lesley Garrett. Margaret will be the guest soloist in the Irish tour with the Classical Brit Winners The Welsh Fron Male Voice choir this Autumn.

After the First Derry concert Margaret moves on to the Craigavon Civic Centre on October 27 and the Ulster Hall on November 3, on which night she will joined by The Welsh Fron Male Voice Choir and the Donaghdee Male Voice Choir

For those interested in attending on October 20, doors open at 6.30pm with the performance starting at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 (£5 concessionary) are available at the door or by emailing [email protected] or by telephoning 02871261550.