Workshops

BIG SING WORKSHOPS The Big Sing workshops will take place on Thursday 24th October (postprimary) and Friday 25th October (primary) in St. Columb’s Hall.

The festival is delighted to welcome David Lawrence, an internationally recognised choral director and animateur, to lead the two school workshops.

Come along to enjoy the thrill of singing with hundreds of other enthusiastic choristers. Have fun as you explore exciting vocal warm-ups, learn about vocal production and discover the beauty of simple part-singing.

All young singers and their teachers or choir directors are welcome to attend these sessions. No preparation or prior experience is necessary. The only requirement is for all participants to enjoy singing and to share this enjoyment with others. David currently holds the Guinness World Record for conducting the UK’s largest choir - 6,846 singers - so let’s see how big a choir we can put together for him in St Columb’s Hall.

DISCOVERY GOSPEL CHOIR WORKSHOP The Discovery Gospel Choir workshop will take place on Saturday 26th October at 3.45pm - 4.30pm in St. Columb’s Hall. All are welcome to take part!

This workshop will be delivered by members of the Discovery Gospel Choir. Formed in 2004, Discovery Gospel Choir is one of Ireland’s most innovative and diverse choral groups. The choir is based in Dublin but performs across the country, challenging its audiences to ‘discover beauty in everyone’ and to work towards an integrated society.

In promoting its ethos of integration and unity, Discovery has performed in Mountjoy Prison, for the former Northern Ireland First Minister Rev Dr Ian Paisley in Stormont, in Mosney Accommodation Centre for asylum seekers, for the MAMA Awards, at Africa Day and for Archbishop Desmond Tutu on his visit to Dublin in 2005.

The choir has appeared on numerous national radio and television programmes and has led the national anthems at international matches in Croke Park and Lansdowne Road. It has also made appearances at the Meteor Music Awards, the RCCG’s Festival of Life in the Point Theatre, Electric Picnic and the Festival of World Cultures. Discovery enjoys working with other musicians who share its ethos, and has previously performed with Stevie Wonder, Sinéad O’Connor, Nizlopi, Foy Vance, Liam Ó Maonlaí and Celtic Woman. It has also worked closely with Irish fusion band Kíla.

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