2016 CODI Programme Book

THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER

TRAILS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

BIOGRAPHIES

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets available from the Millennium Forum Box Office New Market Street, Derry Call +44 (0) 28 7126 4455

Book online at www.millenniumforum.co.uk N.B. Booking fee of £1 applies per ticket

Evening Concerts

WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER

Opening Gala Concert, Guildhall, 19.30 £12 (full), £8 (concession), £6 (groups of 10+)

THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER

SLIXS, St. Columb’s Hall, 19.30 £15 (full), £10 (concession), £8 (groups of 10+)

FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER

The Sixteen, St. Columb’s Hall, 19.30 £20 (full), £12 (concession), £10 (groups of 10+)

Fauna, St. Augustine’s Church, 23.00 £5 (full), £3 (concession) (available on the door only)

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

International Competition, 19.30 £12 (full), £8 (concession), £6 (groups of 10+)

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER

Closing Gala Concert, 19.30 £12 (full), £8 (concession), £6 (groups of 10+)

FULL FESTIVAL PASS

All events (value of £91) £55 (full), £40 (concession)

COMPETITION DAY PASSES

All competitions for one day £5 (full), £3 (concession), £2 (groups of 10+)

Available to purchase on the door only

For more information see www.codichoral.com

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

FOREWORD

I’m absolutely delighted to welcome you to the fourth edition of the City of Derry International Choral Festival. We have five days of exciting choral musicmaking to look forward to, with more than 60 choirs from Ireland, the UK, Europe and, for the first time, Indonesia participating in this year’s Festival.

Among the many highlights will undoubtedly be the return of Harry Christophers and The Sixteen, as well as first-time visitors to these shores, SLIXS from Germany and Fauna from Norway.

In addition to the usual elements of the Festival, we have introduced some new features such as the Popular, Jazz & Gospel Music category, special awards in the Schools and National sections, the debut performance of the Festival Chorus for the Opening Gala Concert and a late-night concert in the beautiful setting of St. Augustine’s Church.

The Festival could not exist without two key ingredients – our generous sponsors and the extraordinarily committed team of volunteers. With their support, I am confident that we can look forward to yet another outstanding five days of exciting and colourful choral sounds.

Enjoy!

Dónal Doherty Artistic Director

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

As Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, I am delighted that we are once again hosting the City of Derry International Choral Festival.

Now in its fourth year, the Festival has built on the legacy of City of Culture 2013 and is going from strength to strength. Not only does it attract choirs from across the globe, with choirs coming from as far afield as Indonesia this year, it also shines a light on our local singing talent, with a Festival Chorus combining over 100 singers from choirs in the area, and many school and community choirs participating in the competitions, community concerts and pop-up events around the city.

The Council welcomes the opportunity to support this Festival, which has already gained international recognition at the highest level and which provides a platform for singers of all ages and backgrounds to come together, share their experiences and celebrate a joyful feast of music-making.

On behalf of Derry City and Strabane District Council, I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone associated with the Festival and wish it every success.

Alderman Hilary McClintock Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council

A NOTE FROM OUR FUNDERS…

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted once again to be a principal funder of the City of Derry International Choral Festival. In a few short years this major Festival has helped to establish Derry City as a centre of excellence for choral singing and music. This is a great example of how the arts can put a place on the map for all the right reasons.

The participation this year of The Sixteen, one of the world’s most celebrated vocal ensembles, further cements this Festival’s international reputation. The Sixteen will undoubtedly be a major attraction and will add to the continuing growth in interest in choral singing here.

As a Festival that provides inspiration and opportunity not only to audiences but to an emerging generation of singers and musicians, the City of Derry International Choral Festival is building a very important legacy for the arts. We wish all those taking part in the 2016 Festival another tremendous success.

Ciaran Scullion Head of Music Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Tourism NI

Tourism NI is a proud sponsor of the City of Derry International Choral Festival. Now in its fourth year, the Festival promises to be a splendid celebration of everything choral music has to offer with an exceptional line-up of both local and accomplished international choirs for all to enjoy. The varied programme on offer will attract many more visitors to the city, generate a significant impact for the local economy and contribute to Northern Ireland’s positive profile as an attractive destination.

Last year the Festival welcomed an array of international visitors to the city and this year we hope to see even higher visitor numbers.

Aine Kearney Director of Business Support and Events, Tourism NI

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

SING JOYFULLY! CHORAL SYMPOSIUM

International Choral Symposium

WEDNESDAY 19 OCTOBER, FOYLE ARTS BUILDING (ULSTER UNIVERSITY, MAGEE)

FREE ENTRY, OPEN TO ALL

A one-day symposium bringing together a distinguished panel of international conductors for a presentation and discussion on an exciting new choral conducting app.

The presentation of “Quoraline” will be led by Professor Ragnar Rasmussen of the University of Tromsø, Norway and Mr Ketil Sundelin, CEO of Choral Conducting Coach AS.

09.30: Registration

10.00: Welcome and introduction

Dónal Doherty, Artistic Director of the Festival

10.15: Session 1 Presentation of “Quoraline” by Professor Ragnar Rasmussen and Mr Ketil Sundelin

11.00: Tea/Coffee

11.30: Session 2

Panel and group discussion of “Quoraline” and the use of technology in the teaching of choral conducting

12.30: Lunch

13.30: Session 3

Conductors’ Masterclass

Guest demonstration choir: Ulster University Chamber Choir, directed by Shaun Ryan

A practical masterclass inviting choral conductors to work with the Ulster University Chamber Choir to develop their conducting skills under the guidance of Ragnar Rasmussen, Professor of Conducting at the University of Tromsø, Norway

15.30: Closing Comments

Ragnar Rasmussen

Ragnar Rasmussen is Full Professor of Choir Conducting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Tromsø, Norway and artistic director/conductor of Kristiansand Solistensemble and UArctic World Ensemble. Together with Urša Lah he directs the international chamber choir Utopia & Reality. He was conductor of the Norwegian National Youth Choir from 2008-10, the World Youth Choir in 2010 and the Catalan Youth Choir in 2014.

He works frequently with professional choirs and orchestras, and gives masterclasses for choral conductors throughout Europe and other parts of the world. As a composer, he has written several a cappella works, vocal/instrumental works and an opera. He is often a member of adjudicating panels at prestigious international choral and conducting competitions, and from 2013 to 2015 he chaired the adjudicating panel of the City of Derry International Choral Festival.

Ragnar has been awarded numerous awards in Norway and abroad. In 2008 he was awarded both the “Northern Lights Prize” and the “Honorary Prize of the Town of Tromsø” for his extraordinary artistic achievements, his contribution to artistic enjoyment among his fellow citizens, and his contributions to positive profiling of his home town in Norway and abroad. In December 2009 the Norwegian Choral Association awarded him the “Norwegian Choir Prize” for his dedicated work at all levels in his homeland’s choral life.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

EVENING CONCERT

OPENING GALA CONCERT

GUILDHALL, 19.30

Festival Chorus Codetta

Gráinne Logue, Soprano Aaron O’Hare, Baritone Catherine Ennis, Organist

Dónal Doherty, Conductor

Programme

Toccata in B minor, Eugène Gigout

Panis Angelicus, César Franck

O Radiant Dawn, James MacMillan Sleep, Eric Whitacre

Symphony No. 5, Adagio and Toccata: Allegro, Charles-Marie Widor

Cantique de Jean Racine, Gabriel Fauré

Carillon-Sortie, Henri Mulet

INTERVAL

Requiem in D minor, Gabriel Fauré

Introit – Kyrie

Offertorium

Sanctus

Pie Jesu

Agnus Dei

Libera Me

In Paradisum

Catherine Ennis

Catherine

is

and

Recitals and recordings have taken her to many international venues and as a teacher she has been involved in three major London Music conservatoires. She has given masterclasses throughout the UK and abroad, and is a frequent examiner and adjudicator for colleges and festivals. She is a frequent contributor to musical journals.

Catherine Ennis has helped create four major new London organs (The Rieger at St. Marylebone, shared with the Royal Academy of Music, the Klais at St. Lawrence Jewry, the William Drake at Trinity College of Music and the Queen’s Organ in the Lady Chapel of Westminster Abbey, built by Mander).

Ennis

an organ recitalist, teacher

choir director. She is Director of Music at the City of London church of St. Lawrence Jewry next Guildhall, VicePresident of the Royal College of Organists, Director of the John Hill Young Artists recitals, Trustee of the Nicholas Danby Trust for young organists, founder-editor of the London Organ Concerts Guide and Past President of the Incorporated Association of Organists.

Codetta

Under the guidance of Dónal Doherty, Codetta is an internationally acclaimed chamber choir based in Derry. Codetta has given many concerts both nationally and internationally, including performances in the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Slovenia and Switzerland. 2013 was a particularly exciting year for the group, with appearances at two Prom concerts in London’s Royal Albert Hall and collaborations with Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland.

In the last few years it has performed in Spain and the UK, sung live on BBC Radio 3 and given the world premiere of three new works by Gary Carpenter. Codetta rounded off 2015 by singing to a live audience of 8,000 and a television audience of 10 million at the BBC Sport’s Personality of the Year awards.

In May of this year Codetta performed in the Kennedy Centre, Washington DC, renewing its collaboration with Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland, and in September it sang live to a UK-wide audience at the BBC Proms in the Park concert from Belfast.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Festival Chorus

Sopranos

Amanda Doherty

Anne-Marie Donnelly

Bridgeen MacManus Carol Jackson

Clodagh Curran Debbie Browne

Denise O’Boyle Eimear O’Gorman Emer McCallion

Emma O’Kane

Emma Woods Erin Kennedy

Fidelma Legge Fionnuala Simpson Geraldine Kelley Gráinne Logue Hayley McGivern Jenny Huey Johanne Ennis Kathryn O’Callaghan

Kathy Hegarty

Laura McNutt

Leonie McGinty Maeve Ward

Margaret Brown Margaret McCay Marie Fitzpatrick

Maureen White Megan Ryan

Megan O’Sullivan-Sweeney

Nicole McClintock

Noirin O’Connell

Paddy Quinn

Patricia Brady Patricia Doherty

Patricia O’Donnell Rachel Harkin

Rionach Duffy

Sandra McNulty

Sara Polley

Siobhan Carroll Susan Spence Tasha Frazer

Altos

Aideen Campbell Angela Tourish Anna Stainsby Brid McGinley

Caoimhe Armstrong Caoimhe Crerand Caroline Anderson Caroline Crumlish Cathy Park Connie O’Donnell Eimear Boggs Emma Barr Fiona Crosbie Gráinne Stevenson

Jenny Grant Jude Anderson

Judith O’Hare Julia McIvor

Laura Keogh

Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh

Manuela Curulli

Margaret Rowlandson Maria Cutliffe

Olivia Goodman Rachel Coyle Rachel Park

Rebecca O’Doherty

Roisin Rice

Ursula Doherty Vicki Quinn Yvette Rainey

Tenors

Alex Moore Chris Kerrigan Damien Harkin Damien Lambert Eoin O’Callaghan Glenn Foster Hector Alonso James Kelley Luke McEvoy Martin White Pádraig Cutliffe Patrick Flanagan Paul Lambert Thorin Coffey Basses Brendan Doherty Colm Rainey Donald Hill Eoghan Doherty James Nangle John Cunningham John Brady Kevin Healy Kevin Rainey Maghnus Monaghan Maurice Kelly Niall Herron Ted Murray Tom Wylie

Primary Partsong Competition

11.45

1. St. Colmcille’s Primary School, Claudy (Kellie McLaughlin)

The Power of Your Love, Geoff Bullock A Spoonful of Sugar, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

2. St. Lawrence’s Primary School, Fintona (Sinead Loane)

All Through the Night, Ruth Elaine Schram Be Our Guest, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, arr. Ed Lojeski

3. Holy Trinity Primary School, Enniskillen (Orla Colhoun)

Sing a Round, Mark and Helen Johnston Sun Arise, Mark and Helen Johnston

4. St. Catherine’s Primary School, Strabane (Ciara Deery)

Panis Angelicus, César Franck, arr. Patrick Liebergen Simple Gifts, Trad., arr. Andy Beck

5. Holy Family Primary School, Omagh (Maura Dolan)

The Lord Bless You and Keep You, John Rutter At the End of the Day, Claude-Michel Schönberg, arr. Ed Lojeski

BIG SING WORKSHOP BY SLIXS

The primary school adjudications will take place after the Big Sing workshop.

EVENING CONCERT

SLIXS

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Presented by Mark Patterson, BBC SLIXS

Gregorio D’Clouet Hernández

Katharina Debus

Michael Eimann Karsten Müller

Thomas Piontek

Konrad Zeiner

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

This is not your traditional a capella group. SLIXS may perform without instruments but their unique performance style sets them apart from any of the genre’s clichés. With their powerful mixture of jazz, pop and funk, classical and world music, these six multi-talented voices have rocked audiences at concerts and festivals across Europe and Asia.

They create a wonderfully organic, unified sound that bewitches even the a cappella masters, such as Ward Swingle, founder of the legendary Swingle Singers, and King’s Singer Gabriel Crouch, who said they were “better than any group he’s ever heard!”.

They have received extensive international acclaim and are considered to be one of the best vocal ensembles in the world, having received some of the world’s most prestigious awards, including CARA Best Jazz Song of the Year (2008) and Best Folk/World Song of the Year (2013) as well as two Ward Swingle Awards and three Golden Diplomas at “Vokal Total” in Graz, Austria. Tonight’s programme will include some of the group’s favourite pieces, ranging from Bach to Prince. Sit back and enjoy!

Join

us at our Resonance Bar Festival Club, St. Columb’s Hall Ballroom immediately after this concert for a drink and some impromptu singing!

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

COMPETITIONS

Post-Primary School Competitions

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 10.00 – 15.30

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY ERKEL FERENC MIXED CHOIR, HUNGARY 13.45 BIG SING WORKSHOP WITH ZOLTÁN PAD 14.00

Post-Primary Unison/2-Part Competition 10.00

1. Gaelcholáiste Dhoire, Dungiven (Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh)

Bonny Portmore, Trad., arr. Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh Thugamar Féin an Samradh Linn, Trad., arr. Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh

2. St. Cecilia’s College, Derry (Christopher Kerrigan)

The Sound of Music, Richard Rodgers, arr. Clay Warnick Benedictus and Hosanna, Emily Crocker

3. Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy (Tim Fouhy)

Give Me Wings, John Rutter Firefly, Andy Beck

4. St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, Derry (Margaret Ross)

Sanctus from Missa Orbis Factor, Gregorian chant Elijah Rock, Spiritual, arr. Margaret Ross

5. Thornhill College Junior Choir, Derry (Margaret McCay)

Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars, arr. Adam Anders and Tim Davis La Cumparsita, Gerardo Matos Rodríguez, arr. Gwyn Arch

6. Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge (Anne-Marie Lawlor)

For the Beauty of the Earth, John Rutter Hold Back the River, Iain Archer and James Bay, arr. Roger Emerson

Post-Primary 3/4-Part Competition

11.15

1. Thornhill College Senior Choir, Derry (Elizabeth Quigley)

Weep No More, David N. Childs

This Little Babe, Benjamin Britten

2. Errigal College, Letterkenny (Margaret McAteer)

Sailing, Gavin Sutherland, arr. Peter Hunt

Three Spirituals, Spiritual, arr. Ysaye M. Barnwell

3. Loreto Secondary School, Fermoy (Tim Fouhy)

Geantraí, Michael McGlynn

Sanctus and Benedictus from A Little Jazz Mass, Bob Chilcott

4. Éan Ceoil, Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Belfast (Claire Hamilton)

Cantémus, Lajos Bárdos

The Seal Lullaby, Eric Whitacre

5. Ursuline College Senior Choir, Sligo (Fiona McQuillan)

Quiet Land of Erin, Havelock Nelson Sanctus, Richard Oswin

6. Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge (Anne-Marie Lawlor)

A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square, Manning Sherwin, arr. Michael Neaum Blackbird, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr. Deke Sharon

7. Millfield Camerata, England (Matthew Cook)

And So It Goes, Billy Joel, arr. Bob Chilcott Bridge Over Troubled Water, Paul Simon, arr. Clyde Sechler

8. Loreto Grammar School, Omagh (Gerard Bradley)

Prayer of St. Francis, Imant Raminsh Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Hair, Trad., arr. Gwyn Arch

9. Belfast Royal Academy Chamber Choir (Mary McMullan)

A Good Night, Richard Rodney Bennett Incantations, Michael McGlynn

10. St. Raphaela’s Secondary School, Dublin (Órla Barry)

Silent Noon, Ralph Vaughan Williams Enchanting Song, Béla Bartók

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY

ERKEL FERENC MIXED CHOIR, HUNGARY

BIG SING WORKSHOP WITH ZOLTÁN PAD

The Post-Primary adjudications will take place immediately after the Big Sing workshop.

FESTIVAL 2016

EVENING CONCERT

THE SIXTEEN

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Presented by John Toal, BBC

THE DEER’S CRY

Diliges Dominum, Byrd

Christe qui lux es et dies, Byrd The Deer’s Cry, Pärt Emendemus in melius, Byrd

The Woman with the Alabaster Box, Pärt

Miserere mihi Domine, Byrd

Ad Dominum cum tribularer, Byrd

INTERVAL

Miserere nostri, Tallis/Byrd

When Jesus Went, Tallis O lux beata Trinitas, Byrd Nunc Dimittis, Pärt Laetentur coeli, Byrd Tribue, Domine, Byrd

Harry Christophers CBE

Harry Christophers is known internationally as founder and conductor of The Sixteen and is a regular guest conductor for many of the major symphony orchestras and opera companies worldwide. He has directed The Sixteen choir and orchestra throughout Europe, America and the Far East, gaining a distinguished reputation for his work in Renaissance, Baroque and 20th-century music.

The Sixteen respectfully requests that audience members reserve their applause until after each group of pieces, as indicated, rather than after each piece.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL

The Sixteen

Now in its 37th year, The Sixteen, under the baton of founder and conductor Harry Christophers CBE, is recognised as one of the world’s greatest ensembles. It has a special reputation for performing early English polyphony and masterpieces of the Renaissance, and offers fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music alongside 20th- and 21st-century music.

Known as “The Voices of Classic FM”, The Sixteen promotes The Choral Pilgrimage, an annual tour of the UK’s finest cathedrals, which aims to bring music back to the buildings for which it was written.

It has given regular performances at major concert halls and festivals around the world. Numerous recordings reflect the group’s quality in a range of work spanning 500 years, and it has won many awards, including the coveted Gramophone Award for Early Music and the prestigious Classical Brit Award. In 2009 The Sixteen was given the accolade of the Classic FM Gramophone Artist of the Year. Since 2001 The Sixteen has been building its own record label, CORO, which has released 142 titles to date. In 2011 the group launched Genesis Sixteen, a new training programme for young singers founded by the Genesis Foundation. Aimed at 18- to 23-year-olds, this is the UK’s first fully-funded choral programme for young singers designed specifically to bridge the gap from student to professional practitioner.

Soprano

Emma Brain-Gabbott Jessica Cale

Julie Cooper

Sally Dunkley

Camilla Harris Katy Hill

Alto Ian Aitkenhead Daniel Collins Edward McMullan Caroline Trevor

Tenor Simon Berridge Jeremy Budd Steven Harrold George Pooley

Bass

Robert Evans Tim Jones

Rob Macdonald Sam Mitchell

LATE-NIGHT CONCERT

FAUNA

ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH, 23.00

The vocal group Fauna was established in the autumn of 2009 at the Norwegian Academy of Music. The group consists of five talented singers who have backgrounds in different music traditions.

Fauna work with folk songs, sacred music and lullabies outside the conventional music tradition, enabling them to explore intriguing sounds. Two of the members are trained jazz singers, while the other three are classically trained. Fauna’s musical arrangements are mostly written by the members of the group and all of their compositions are tailored for their voices. It is this combination of styles that gives Fauna their unique sound.

Their current concert is entitled Solefall, the Norwegian word for sunset, and takes the listener on a journey through the night. It was performed for the first time in 2014 at the Oslo International Church Music Festival.

Marte Åndahl

Camilla Marie Bjørk Andreassen

Beate Børli Løkken

Christina Thingvold

Gudrun Goffeng

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

SOLEFALL

The deepest longing of the heart Burns while the night is ceasing. But misery dwindles as a dart

Of sunlight is increasing.

Programme:

No soli bakom blåe fjell (The sun, immersed in mountain tombs)

Valsen (The waltz)

Syng i stille morgonstunder (Sing in the quiet morning)

Din sol går bort (Your sun will pass)

Jeg råde vil alle (My advice to all)

Vinndans i Jo’ansjaløen (Harvest dance in Jo Ansja’s barn)

Nu gleder seg mitt hjerte (My heart is fond)

Når mitt øye, trett av møye (When my eyes are wet with tears)

Nattergalen (The nightingale)

Bendik og Årolilja (Bendik and Årolilja)

Karislåtten (Karis wedding march)

Se solens skjønne lys og prakt (Behold, the glory and light of the sun)

Krist sto opp av døde/Improvisasjon over Kyrie (Christ is risen from the dead/Kyrie improvisation)

Den fyrste song (The very first song)

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

COMPETITIONS

National Equal Voice Competitions

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 11.00 – 13.00

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY MORNINGTON SINGERS, IRELAND 11.30

National Male Voice Competition

11.00

1. Rosemount Male Voice Choir, Derry (Raymond Kelly)

Deep River, Spiritual, arr. Roy Ringwald Someone Like You, Adele, arr. Christopher Hussey

2. The Magnificent AK47, England (Chris Samuel)

Shen Xar Venaxi, Georgian sacred song Delilah, Les Reed, arr. Ryan Morrison

3. Testostertones, Galway (Peter Mannion)

Grab und Mond, Franz Schubert Peperit Virgo, Urmas Sisask

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY MORNINGTON SINGERS, IRELAND

National Female Voice Competition

11.45

1. Allegri, Derry (Maurice Kelly)

Da Pacem, Domine, Jeff Enns Tundra, Ola Gjeilo

2. Gloria DLGC, Dublin (Ian Packham)

Down Where the Bees Are Humming, Seán O’Casey, arr. Michael Finlay

With or Without You, U2, arr. Geoff Lawson and Jon Cohen

3. Gracenotes, Ballyhaunis (Laura Brogan)

Agnus Dei, Ivo Antognini

How Do I Love Thee?, Nathan Christensen

The Equal Voice adjudications will take place after the Female Voice Competition.

National Mixed Voice Competitions

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 14.00 – 18.00

BIG SING WORKSHOP WITH FAUNA, 16.45

National Mixed Voice Competition

14.00

1.

Strabane Chamber Choir, Strabane (Gerard Bradley)

Even When He is Silent, Kim André Arnesen Sing a Song of Sixpence, John Rutter

2.

Cantóirí, Dublin (Ben Barnes)

Cor Mio, Mentre Vi Miro, Claudio Monteverdi Hodie, Christus Natus Est, Healey Willan

3.

Gloria DLGC, Dublin (Ian Packham)

O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen Misbehavin’, Pentatonix, arr. N. O’Connor

4. Cantairí Avondale, Dublin (Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh)

Go, Lovely Rose, Eric Whitacre De Punta y Taco, Chilean folk song, arr. Ward Swingle, ad. Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh

5.

Cantamus, Derry (Raymond Kelly)

Open Thou Mine Eyes, John Rutter When You Believe, Stephen Schwartz, arr. Audrey Snyder and John Moss

6. UCC Singers, Cork (Daniel Beuster)

Lassie, Wad Ye Loe Me?, James MacMillan Clap Both My Hands, Brian Deady, arr. Daniel Beuster

7.

Cois Cladaigh, Galway (Brendan O’Connor)

Let My Love Be Heard, Jake Runestad Jeremiah’s Fire, Rollo Dilworth

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

National Popular, Jazz & Gospel Music Competition

15.30

1.

Testostertones, Galway (Peter Mannion)

Holding Out for a Hero, Jim Steinman and Dean Pitchford, arr. Stefan Wyatt Abba Medley, Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, arr. Stefan Wyatt

2. Allegri, Derry (Maurice Kelly)

Penny Lane, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr. Audrey Snyder Always, Irving Berlin, arr. Kirby Shaw

3.

Cois Cladaigh, Galway (Brendan O’Connor)

Drinkin’ of the Wine, Spiritual, arr. Rosephanye Powell Honky Tonk Women, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, arr. Lars Smedlund

4. Cantóirí, Dublin (Ben Barnes)

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel), Billy Joel, arr. Philip Lawson The Log Driver’s Waltz, Wade Hemsworth, arr. Ben Barnes

5.

Cantamus, Derry (Raymond Kelly)

Beyond the Sea, Jack Lawrence and Charles Trenet, arr. Kirby Shaw Bridge Over Troubled Water, Paul Simon, arr. Kirby Shaw

6. Cantairí Avondale, Dublin (Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh)

Tea for Two, Vincent Youmans, arr. Peter Gritton Wade in the Water, Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan

BIG SING WORKSHOP: FAUNA

The adjudication of the National Mixed Voice and National Popular, Jazz & Gospel Music Competitions will take place immediately after the Big Sing workshop.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Presented by Stephen McCauley, BBC The International Competition will undoubtedly be the highlight of the City of Derry International Choral Festival, featuring 6 competitors who will compete for the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry trophy. For more details on the International Choirs see page 52

Programme

1. Poznań University of Technology Choir “Volantes Soni”, Poland (Dr Paweł Łuczak) Sicut Cervus, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Pater Noster, Andrzej Koszewski Sicut Lilium Inter Spinas, Marek Raczyński Szła Dzieweczka, Antoni Gref

2. Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir, Agria Swara, Indonesia (Arvin Zeinullah) Unser Keiner Lebet Sich Selber, Heinrich Schütz Readymade Alice, Perttu Haapanen Gloria Patri, Budi Susanto Yohanes

3. Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music, Germany (Harald Jers) Jagdlied, Felix Mendelssohn Jaakobin Isot Pojat, Pekka Kostiainen Ecco Mormorar l’Onde, Claudio Monteverdi The Slow Spring, John Høybye

4. Wellensian Consort, England (Christopher Finch)

The Tyger, John Tavener Hear My Prayer, O Lord, Henry Purcell Lay a Garland, Robert Lucas de Pearsall Way Over in Beulah-lan’, Spiritual, arr. Joseph Jennings

INTERVAL

Join us at our Resonance Bar Festival Club, St. Columb’s Hall Ballroom immediately after this concert for a ceilidh and some impromptu singing!

5. Mornington Singers, Ireland (Orla Flanagan) Timor et Tremor, Orlande de Lassus Regina Coeli, Rhona Clarke Richte Mich, Gott, Felix Mendelssohn Kalejs Kala Debesis, Selga Mence

6. Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary (Zsófia Cseri) Sfogava con le Stelle, Claudio Monteverdi Daemon Irrepit Callidus, György Orbán Lacrimosa, Bella Máté With a Lily in Your Hand, Eric Whitacre

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

COMPETITIONS

National Competitions

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 13.00 – 17.00

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY BOGOR AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHOIR, AGRIA SWARA, INDONESIA 13.45

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY SOMETHING SPECIAL, GAMELAN ENSEMBLE, DERRY 16.15

National Sacred Music Competition 13.00

1. Lynn Singers, Mullingar (Dervilla Maloney)

O Virtus Sapientiae, Karen P. Thomas Gloria from Mass No. 6, György Orbán

2. Cantairí Avondale, Dublin (Ruaidhrí Ó Dálaigh)

Bogoróditse Djévo, Arvo Pärt Valiant for Truth, Ralph Vaughan Williams

3. Millfield Camerata, England (Matthew Cook)

O Radiant Dawn, James MacMillan Christus Factus Est, Anton Bruckner

4. Cois Cladaigh, Galway (Brendan O’Connor)

Exultate Deo, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Lux Aeterna, Brian A. Schmidt

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY BOGOR AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT CHOIR, AGRIA SWARA, INDONESIA

The adjudication of the National Sacred Music Voice Competition will take place immediately after the guest performance by Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir, Agria Swara.

National Vocal Ensemble Competition

14.30

1. The Lontanos, Derry (Chris McCann)

I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, arr. Rich Hasty

Bring Him Home, Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil, arr. Rich Hasty

2. Day V, Derry (Kathryn O’Callaghan)

Pie Jesu, Michael McGlynn

Just The Way You Are/Just a Dream, Bruno Mars/Cornell Haynes Jr., arr. Ed Boyer, Ben Bram and Deke Sharon

3. The Kelly Family Vocal Ensemble, Ashford (Frank Kelly)

Ubi Caritas, Ola Gjeilo

Java Jive, Milton Drake and Ben Oakland, arr. Kirby Shaw

4. The Cordettes, Derry

Sonnet, James MacMillan

A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Manning Sherwin, arr. Michael Neaum

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

National Youth Choir Competition

15.15

1. City of Derry Junior Choir (Maurice Kelly)

Spell of Sleep, Bob Chilcott

Cantate Domino, Rupert Lang

2. Donegal Junior Choir (Sara Laughlin)

You Raise Me Up, Rolf Løvland and Brendan Graham

The Drunken Sailor, Sea shanty, arr. Peter Hunt

3. Harmony North, Belfast (Laura Dynes)

Good News!, Spiritual, arr. Willi Gohl

She Moved Through the Fair, Irish folk song, arr. Peter Hunt

4. Donegal Youth Choir (Sara Laughlin)

Dubula, Stephen Hatfield

I’m Going Up a Yonder, Walter Hawkins, arr. Martin Sitvaka

5. City of Derry Youth Choir (Margaret Ross)

Amazing Grace, Trad., arr. Alexander L’Estrange Here Comes the Sun, George Harrison, arr. Kirby Shaw

6. Lynn Singers, Mullingar (Dervilla Maloney)

Cradle Hymn, Kim André Arnesen

Las Amarillas, Trad. Mexican, arr. Stephen Hatfield

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY SOMETHING SPECIAL, GAMELAN ENSEMBLE

The adjudication of the National Vocal Ensemble and National Youth Choir Competitions will take place after the guest performance by Something Special.

RPP Architects are pleased to support the City of Derry International Choral Festival

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

CLOSING GALA CONCERT

ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Presented by Eoghan Doherty

The Closing Gala Concert will provide a celebratory end to the fourth edition of the City of Derry International Choral Festival. The International Competition winner will be announced and awarded the Oak Tree of Derry trophy, designed by Maurice Harron, and the competitors of the prestigious International Competition will each perform a celebratory programme of music. There will also be a guest performance by Irish traditional group Cóiriú.

For more details on the International Choirs see page 52

Programme

Mornington Singers, Ireland (Orla Flanagan)

Over the Rainbow, Harold Arlen, arr. Guy Turner Train to Morrow, Trad, arr. Jaakko Mäntyjärvi

Poznań University of Technology Choir “Volantes Soni”, Poland (Dr Paweł Łuczak)

Shenandoah, Spiritual, arr. James Erb Baba Yetu, Christopher Tin

Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music, Germany (Harald Jers)

Das Sternlein, Max Reger The Slow Spring, John Høybye

Wellensian Consort, England (Christopher Finch)

The Isle is Full of Noises, Bob Chilcott Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel, Spiritual, arr. Richard Allain

Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary (Zsófia Cseri) Nunc Dimittis, György Orbán Csillagvirág, Lajos Bárdos

Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir, Agria Swara, Indonesia (Arvin Zeinullah)

Lisoi, Ruben Federizon Ma Rencong rencong, Budi Susanto Yohanes and Agustinus Bambang Jusana

GUEST PERFORMANCE BY CÓIRIÚ

INTERVAL

Awards Ceremony

Closing ceremony of the Festival, award of special awards and award of the Oak Tree of Derry International Trophy to the winning choir of the 2016 International Competition.

Special Awards

The Festival is delighted to announce that three special prizes will be awarded to choirs this year and is grateful to the Kelly Family, Bishop’s Gate Hotel and the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland for their part in making this possible. All three will be announced as part of the awards ceremony at the Closing Gala Concert on Sunday 23 October.

Kelly Family Award

for

Most Promising School Choir

Bishop’s Gate Award for Best National Choir

Contemporary Music Centre award for best performance of a piece by an Irish composer, as listed in the CMC Library.

Join us at the Closing Night Festival Club, City Hotel immediately after this concert for a drink, a dance and some impromptu singing!

Maurice Harron, Artist and Sculptor

Maurice Harron was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. After studying at the Ulster College of Art & Design, he taught at schools in Belfast and Derry, and in 1983 began working as a painter and sculptor.

For the last 18 years he has worked to address issues of belief, ethnicity and political tension through his sculpture. Working in public locations, he has made works that explore themes connected to social, historical and cultural identity.

In creating the Oak Tree of Derry trophy, Maurice has taken the oak tree of Derry as a symbol, with the many strands of roots coming together to form a canopy. The trophy stands on a stainless steel base with many thin rods of stainless steel emerging from the ground to entwine around it and join together in a vertical column. Those at the centre climb to the highest point, while the outer group forms the lower branches. The canopy is made from bronze plate using a design based on the ancient La Tene (Celtic) abstract patterns.

Maurice says, “Choral art is the result of many varied and diverse talents coming together to create something amazing. Ordinary people blend voices in harmonies to create extraordinary works”.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Big Sing Workshops

ST. COLUMB’S HALL

A series of entertaining, fun workshops exploring the building blocks of successful choral singing, led by inspiring performers from the Festival programme.

Big Sing Workshop (primary schools)

SLIXS

Thursday 20 October, 13.15

Big Sing Workshop (post-primary schools)

ZOLTÁN PAD

Friday 21 October, 14.00

Big Sing Workshop (open to all)

FAUNA

Saturday 22 October, 16.45

Resonance Bar Festival Club

Following an exciting evening of choral music-making, why not join us in the atmospheric surroundings of the Resonance Bar Festival Club, located on the ground floor of St. Columb’s Hall via the Orchard Street entrance? It’s the perfect way to meet new friends and renew old acquaintances or just sit back and enjoy impromptu performances. You might even be inspired to join in the singing!

Thursday 20 October, 21.30

Friday 21 October, 21.30

Saturday 22 October, 22.00 (with ceilidh)

Sunday 23 October, City Hotel, 22.00

NB. Please note that the Closing Night Festival Club will take place in the City Hotel.

Festival merchandise will be available for sale throughout the Festival in the foyer of St. Columb’s Hall.

This year the Festival has teamed up with Piecemakers to produce bespoke wooden representations of St. Columb’s Hall and other landmark venues for the Festival and the city. Please see the special presentation display in the foyer. All priced at £4. We also have t-shirts, cloth bags, magnets and keyrings. Stocks are limited so be sure to buy your own unique memento of the 2016 Festival whilst you can!

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

TRAILS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

COMMUNITY CONCERTS

(FREE ENTRY)

THE GASYARD CENTRE

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER

13.00 – 14.00

This special event combining a choral concert and tea dance is delivered in partnership with the team at the Gasyard Centre. Three choirs will perform at the event: local group Momentum, Millfield Camerata from England and Fauna from Norway. Includes complimentary refreshments.

“SONGS IN THE PARK” AT ST. COLUMB’S PARK HOUSE

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER

13.00 – 14.00

The Festival’s community programme will return to the tranquil setting of St. Columb’s Park House for a third year, with local choir Cantamus, the Kelly Family from Ashford and Poznań University of Technology Choir “Volantes Soni” from Poland. Lunch and refreshments available at the Café in the Park.

STUDIO 2, SKEOGE

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER

15.00 – 16.00

The Festival is making its first visit to the new Greater Shantallow Arts Centre, Studio 2, and is bringing with it an eclectic mix of choral talent, including local choir Doire Calgach, The Magnificent AK47 from England and Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir, Agria Swara from Indonesia.

TRAILS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

SACRED TRAIL

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER, CHURCHES THROUGHOUT THE CITY, 10.00

– 13.30

Time Church Choir

10.00 St. Columba’s Church, Longtower Cantairí Avondale, Dublin

11.00 St. Columb’s Cathedral Wellensian Consort, England

11.00 Christ Church Codetta, Derry

11.00 St. Joseph’s Church, Galliagh Hollybush Primary School, Derry

11.00 All Saints Clooney Millfield Camerata, England

11.30 First Derry Presbyterian Agria Swara, Indonesia

11.30 Kilfennan Presbyterian Church Lynn Singers, Mullingar

12.00 Immaculate Conception Church, Trench Road The Kelly Family, Ashford

12.30 St. Eugene’s Cathedral Mornington Singers, Ireland

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

CHORAL

TRAILS

(see map overleaf)

FRIDAY 21 – SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER

The City of Derry will come alive with pop-up performances in various locations throughout the Choral Festival weekend.

Friday 21 October

Time Venue Choir

09.30 – 09.50 Ardnashee School and College Doire Calgach Singers, Derry

11.00 – 11.20 Greenfield Residential Home, Strabane Volantes Soni, Poland

11.30 – 11.50 Waterside Library

U3A Singing for Fun, Derry

11.40 – 12.00 Strabane Day Centre Volantes Soni, Poland

12.00 – 12.20 Glenview Community Centre Crana College, Buncrana

12.30 – 12.50 ASDA, Strabane Volantes Soni, Poland

12.30 – 12.50 Quayside Shopping Centre U3A Singing for Fun, Derry

12.40 – 13.00 Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music, Germany

13.00 – 13.20 Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin Crana College, Buncrana

14.00 – 14.20 Foyle Fold U3A Singing for Fun, Derry

14.00 – 14.20 Foyle Disability Day Centre Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music, Germany

14.00 – 14.20 Central Library Songs for the Soul, Derry

15.00 – 15.20 The Sandwich Co. Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary

15.00 – 15.20 Foyleside Shopping Centre Agria Swara, Indonesia

15.30 – 15.50 Foyleside Shopping Centre Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary

16.30 – 16.50 City Hotel Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary

16.50 – 17.10 City Hotel Agria Swara, Indonesia

17.10 – 17.30 City Hotel Encore Contemporary Choir, Derry

20.30 – 20.50 St. Joseph’s Parish Centre Bingo Hall, Galliagh Momentum, Derry

TRAILS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Saturday 22 October

Time Venue Choir

12.00 – 12.20 Bishop’s Gate Hotel Fauna, Norway

12.30 – 12.50 Bishop’s Gate Hotel Cantóirí, Dublin

12.30 – 12.50 The Sandwich Co. Fauna, Norway

13.30 – 13.50 The Sandwich Co. Testostertones, Galway

14.00 – 14.20 Maldron Hotel Testostertones, Galway

14.30 – 14.50 Richmond Centre Encore Contemporary Choir, Derry

15.00 – 15.20 Foyleside Shopping Centre Encore Contemporary Choir, Derry

15.00 – 15.20 Abbey House Momentum, Derry

15.30 – 15.50 Foyleside Shopping Centre St. George’s Singers, Belfast

15.30 – 15.50 Richmond Centre Millfield Camerata, England

16.00 – 16.20 Foyleside Shopping Centre Doire Calgach Singers, Derry 16.00 – 16.20 Sainsbury’s The Magnificent AK47, England

16.00 – 16.20 Central Library St. George’s Singers, Belfast

17.00 – 17.20 Da Vinci’s Hotel

The Kelly Family, Ashford 18.00 – 18.30 City Hotel The Magnificent AK47, England

Sunday 23 October

Time Venue Choir

13.00 – 13.20 City Hotel Gloria DLGC, Dublin

14.00 – 14.20 Foyleside Shopping Centre

The Magnificent AK47, England

14.00 – 14.30 Spruce House, Altnagelvin Altnagelvin Hospital Choir, Derry

15.30 – 15.50 The Sandwich Co.

The Kelly Family, Ashford

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

ADJUDICATORS

Volker Hempfling GERMANY (CHAIR OF THE ADJUDICATING PANEL)

Volker Hempfling was born in the Saarland, Germany in 1944, and studied in Herford and Cologne (church music, organ, orchestral conducting, singing). From 1972 to 1997 he was organist, church music director and conductor of the Domkantorei Altenberg as well as director of the Sacred Music series in Altenberg Cathedral. In 1968 Volker founded the world famous Kölner Kantorei and in 1983 he became director of Cologne’s Gürzenich-Chor. In 1985 he became Professor of Choral Conducting at the Saarbücken University of Music. In 1993 he moved to the Robert Schumann Hochschule in Düsseldorf, where he was Professor of Choral Conducting, Director of the Protestant Church Music division and Conductor of the Chamber Choir until 2004. For 21 years he has led an annual seminar on choral conducting in Freiburg. Since 2003 Volker has been a lecturer of International Seminars for Choral Conducting in the Bavarian Music Academy following the International Chamber Choir Competitions of Marktoberdorf.

In addition to guest appearances conducting in Germany and numerous other countries, Volker gives conducting lectures and vocal training courses throughout the world. His work as a member of the adjudicating panels at national and international competitions have taken him to cities such as Marktoberdorf, Cork, Maribor, Tours, Tolosa, Budapest and Vilnius.

Urša Lah SLOVENIA

Urša Lah studied Musical Education at the Ljubljana Music Academy and Choral Conducting at the University of Tromsø (Norway). With Mixed Youth Choir Veter, APZ Tone Tomšič University of Ljubljana and the National Radio Chamber Choir, she has been involved in many première performances, and won many prizes and conducting awards at national and prestigious international choral competitions, including the Grand Prix of Europe (Debrecen, 2008).

In recognition of her valuable work with choirs, Urša received the highest award of the Municipality of Ljubljana for cultural achievement in 2008, and in 2009 the award of Public Fund of the Republic of Slovenia for Cultural Activities

Urša now lives in Norway, where she conducts the choir of the Arctic Philharmonic Orchestra and University Choir Mimas. She lectures at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Tromsø, gives educational seminars for choral conductors, is a frequent member of adjudicating panels at international choral competitions, is a guest conductor of recognised ensembles and is one of two artistic leaders of the international Utopia & Reality Chamber Choir.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Zoltán Pad

HUNGARY

Zoltán Pad (1980) studied with Péter Erdei in Budapest and with Michael Gläser in Munich. As a choir master Zoltán has worked with prominent artists such as Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic, Ennio Morricone, Iván Fischer, Martin Haselböck and Howard Arman, and orchestras such as the Hungarian Radio Orchestra, Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra, Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra and Alba Regia Symphony Orchestra.

Zoltán worked as Choir Leader at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, before becoming Principal Conductor of Kodály Choir Debrecen (2009-2014).

Since 2014 he has been the Principal Conductor of the Hungarian Radio Choir. Since 2005 Zoltán Pad has also taught choral conducting at the Liszt Academy’s Kodály Institute. Between 2009 and 2014 he was a member of the Artistic Board of the Béla Bartók International Choir Competition, and he was Artistic Director of the Competition in 2013/14.

Zoltán is regularly invited to give music workshops and conducting masterclasses around the world, and he works frequently with youth choirs and amateur choirs. He has been a member of the adjudication panels of various international choir and conductor competitions.

Esther Jones

UNITED KINGDOM

Esther Jones is an experienced choral clinician and conductor who is in regular demand as an adjudicator, teacher and workshop leader. She studied music at Oxford University and choral conducting at the Royal Academy of Music as a postgraduate, where she was the first Open Academy Fellow and now teaches part-time. Alongside this role, she is currently Acting Artistic Director of London Youth Choir and Deputy Musical Director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain.

She is also a collaborator on the “Created out of mind” project, which draws together scientists, artists and broadcasters at the Wellcome Collection in London to produce research and artwork related to dementia.

Other recent engagements include working as a tutor on BBC TV’s The Choir: Sing while you work with Gareth Malone, conducting Britten’s A children’s crusade at Aldeburgh International Festival, and chorus-mastering NYCGB singers for an award-winning performance of Britten’s War Requiem conducted by Marin Alsop in November 2014.

David Brophy

IRELAND

David Brophy was born in Dublin and is a graduate of the Dublin Institute of Technology and Trinity College Dublin. Following further studies in Ireland, England and Holland, he was appointed Apprentice Conductor with Chamber Choir Ireland and subsequently became the first appointee as Assistant Conductor with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland. A former Principal Conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, David now enjoys a close relationship with both RTÉ orchestras in addition to regular appearances as guest conductor with the Ulster Orchestra. His career has seen him conduct throughout Europe, Africa, Canada and China, in addition to engagements with some of the finest orchestras in the US, including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

David has collaborated with many internationally acclaimed soloists, among them Tasmin Little, Barry Douglas, Lang Lang and Nicola Benedetti. He has broadcast on RTÉ, BBC, CBC (Canada), Sky Arts 2 and across the EBU, and has recorded for Silva Screen, Lyric FM, Tara Records, V2 Records, New World Records and Compass Records recording labels.

Aside from his work as a musician, David presented the RTÉ1 award-winning TV series Instrumental and most recently fronted the IFTA award-winning High Hopes Choir for Tyrone Productions and RTÉ1 TV. He has most recently been appointed to the board of Ireland’s Contemporary Music Centre.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

INTERNATIONAL CHOIRS

Poznań University of Technology Choir “Volantes Soni” POLAND

Conductor: Dr Paweł Łuczak Poznań University of Technology’s choir, “Volantes Soni”, was founded in 1999. Since its inception, it has been working under the auspices of the University Cultural Centre of the University of Technology. It performs at all of the key ceremonies in the university and promotes the university by singing on major stages in its home town and throughout Poland. The choir has organised and participated in many charity concerts in Poznań’s churches, hospitals, special schools and orphanages. Volantes Soni has a diverse repertoire of sacred, folk and popular music, and it has performed some of the great vocal and instrumental works, such as the Mozart Requiem, Handel’s Messiah and the Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramirez. The choir has taken part in many international and national competitions and festivals in Poland and abroad, winning numerous awards. In 2015 it won 2nd prize at the Fourth National Choir Competition in Aleksandrów Kujawski, and in 2013 it won a “Golden Diploma” in three categories (folk, sacred and Catalan music) and 2nd place in the final of the Third International Festival and Choir Competition “Canço Mediterrània” in Lloret de Mar, Spain.

Since 2005, the choir has been conducted by Paweł Łuczak, a graduate and currently Assistant Professor in the Poznań Academy of Music.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music GERMANY

Conductor: Harald Jers

The Chamber Choir of Mannheim University of Music consists of around 30 singers. Students and non-students develop their skills performing choral works from all periods and mainly from the a cappella repertoire. The choir regards itself as a representative ensemble of the university, offering students an insight into semiprofessional choral work. Its concert repertoire focuses specifically on stylistic and thematic aspects, and includes both well-known and rarely heard choral works.

The choir gives regular concerts in Mannheim and the surrounding area. It has gained broad regional recognition after winning several prizes at international choral competitions. In addition, it has been invited to perform at national and international festivals and give radio broadcasts. It was recently invited to undertake a concert tour of England and a joint concert in Cambridge. At the German Choral Festival in Stuttgart in May 2016 the choir won a first and second prize, and a special prize from the SWR Vocal Ensemble for contemporary choral music.

Wellensian Consort

ENGLAND

Conductor: Christopher Finch

The Wellensian Consort has forged a reputation as one of Britain’s finest young chamber choirs, renowned for the vibrancy of its performances. Formed by Christopher Finch in 2009, the Wellensian Consort soon triumphed in the leading British choral competition “Choir of the Year”, winning the overall title in 2010 in a competition broadcast on BBC Radio and TV that featured over 100 of the leading British choirs.

The choir has broadcast on BBC Radios 2, 3, and 4, and on BBC 1, and has performed at many of Britain’s leading concert venues and festivals, including the Wigmore Hall, Cadogan Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Symphony Hall, St. John’s, Smith Square, and at the Cheltenham International Music Festival. In doing so the choir has established relationships with many of Britain’s leading composers, including Sir John Tavener, Giles Swayne, Bob Chilcott, David Bednall and Will Todd. Originally formed to celebrate the 1100-year anniversary of Wells Cathedral School, the choir consists of alumni of this specialist music school. The members of the Wellensian Consort now live and work throughout the country, and many are current or former students at British music colleges and universities or hold scholarships in leading cathedral and collegiate choirs.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir, Agria Swara

INDONESIA

Conductor: Arvin Zeinullah

The Bogor Agricultural University Student Choir plays a key role in the life of the university. Initially set up in 1986, Agria Swara was reformed in 2001 and since then has had renowned conductors such as Victor Purba and Ingrid Maryane Cahya. Its current conductor is Arvin Zeinullah.

Its general activities include performing at university events, such as graduation day, but it also sings at a number of national events. In addition, Agria Swara has successfully participated in a number of prestigious national and international competitions, winning the Golden Diploma and Mixed Choir competition at the Rimini International Choir Competition in 2009, and the Mixed Choir and Male Choir competitions and Outstanding Programme Award at the 1st ITB International Choir Competition in Indonesia in 2010. It was semi-finalist in the International Harald Andersén Chamber Choir Competition in Helsinki in 2012, and won 3rd prize at both the Montreux Choral Festival in 2014 and the International Choir Contest of Flanders-Maasmechelen, Belgium in 2015.

It was also awarded the PEACE Trophy in the 60th Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in Cork in 2014.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Mornington Singers

IRELAND

Conductor: Orla Flanagan

The Dublin-based Mornington Singers has established itself as one of Ireland’s leading choral ensembles. The choir specialises in a cappella repertoire, with a particular focus on music of the 20th and 21st centuries, and is committed to the promotion of choral music including the commissioning of new pieces. In 2014 the choir held a successful choral composition competition for Irish composers incorporating a workshop reading of selected pieces from the 34 entries and concert performances of the three winning compositions.

The choir has performed with Lesley Garrett, Andrea Bocelli and David Puttnam, and has recorded for film and television. Competition performances have included the Florilège Vocal de Tours, Cork International Choral Festival and Maribor International Choral Competition. In May 2014 the choir was named Ireland’s Choir of the Year and awarded 3rd Prize in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition at Cork International Choral Festival. Dr Orla Flanagan has conducted the Mornington Singers since 2002. She holds an Advanced Diploma from the Kodály Institute in Hungary and a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and is Assistant Professor of Music at Trinity College, Dublin.

Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir

HUNGARY

Conductor: Zsófia Cseri

The choir’s predecessor was established in 1948. It reformed in 1997 under the direction of two youthful conductors, and its current conductor, Zsófia Cseri, has led the group since 2002. The choir has members of all ages, with different jobs and various levels of musical training. However, it is the overall love of music, singing and community that forms a tight bond to keep them together.

In 2003 the choir won 1st prize at the Budapest International Choir Festival, followed by a silver diploma at the Choir Olympic Games in Bremen in 2004. In 2006 it won 2nd prize and a special award at the Kodály Zoltán IV. Hungarian Choir Competition, and in 2008 it was placed 3rd in the Bartók Béla XXIII. International Choir Competition in Debrecen. In 2010, at the 1st Heart of Europe International Choir Competition in Gelnhausen, Germany, it won two silver diplomas and a 3rd prize. In 2011 it won 1st prize, a golden diploma and a special conductor’s prize at the 13th Budapest International Choir Competition. In 2012, at the 51st Seghizzi International Choir Competition in Ghorizia, Italy, it was awarded 2nd prize with a golden diploma, two 3rd prizes with silver diplomas, a special award for 20th century repertoire and 3rd prize in the Grand Prize Competition. It came second at the 4th Liviu Borlan International Choir Competition in 2014 and it won the 2016 Budapesti VándorRévész International Choir Competition.

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Mayo Sings in May!

EVENING CONCERT PRESENTERS

Mark Patterson, BBC (SLIXS)

THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER, ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Mark is a BBC presenter. He is the 2015/16 Northern Ireland “Speech Broadcaster of the Year” and the 2016 Northern Ireland “Broadcast Journalist (Silver)”.

Mark joined the BBC after an early career as a YMCA Director and presents “The Mark Patterson Show” each weekday on BBC Radio Foyle. He is also often heard presenting or contributing on Radio Ulster, Radio 4 and RTÉ Radio.

An ageing surfer, bookworm and passionate gardener, Mark is currently planning a winter salvo on his new allotment – a journey which it is hoped will also be documented on the airwaves.

“It’s been another incredible year here. Wake America, SOAK, Strength, Wood Burning Savages and Ruth McGinley remind us that this is a musical heartland full of original writers and creatives. Their material this year past stands alongside the very best in these islands. Time and time again we are reminded that so many of these artists found their initial confidence in the tried and tested choral and classical fraternities of the North West. Long may that be the case.”

John Toal, BBC (The Sixteen)

FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER, ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

John Toal presents “The John Toal Show” and “Classical Connections”on BBC Radio Ulster. In 2016 “The John Toal Show” won the PPI Awards and Celtic Media Awards Magazine Show of the Year, and Classical Connections won Silver at the PPIs.

John joined the BBC in 1989 while he was studying for a music degree at Queen’s University Belfast. Since then he has presented “Your Place and Mine”, “Arts Extra” and the “Saturday Magazine”. John has been presenting live Ulster Orchestra concerts for almost 25 years on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio 3, and has broadcast on RTÉ and BBC Radio 4.

He has sung in choirs all his life, beginning with Newry Cathedral Choir, which performed for Pope John Paul II in his private chapel in the Vatican in December 1980 and in Aran sweaters (in July!) for the King and Queen of Belgium in 1982.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

Stephen McCauley, BBC (International Competition)

SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER, ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Stephen McCauley is a presenter and producer on BBC Northern Ireland. He is the host of “Electric Mainline” and “Stephen McCauley” on BBC Radio Foyle and “Soundscapes with Stephen McCauley” on BBC Radio Ulster.

“Electric Mainline” has become an integral catalyst within Northern Irish music. On a typical programme, the listener is presented with Stephen’s tireless search for a bold and contrasting mix of local and international hard-core punk, post-classical, electronica, indie and experimental acoustic.

In 2013 he made his debut on BBC Radio 6 Music with a week-long series of programmes. In March 2015 he embarked on an ambitious new weekly programme for BBC Radio Ulster called “Soundscapes with Stephen McCauley” in which he blends field recordings and spoken word with contemporary classical and electronic music. He also presents a daily 2-hour afternoon request show on BBC Radio Foyle.

In October 2015 Stephen won the PPI “Specialist Music Broadcaster of the Year” Award. This year “Soundscapes…” is nominated for PPI “Specialist Music Programme of the Year” and Stephen has also been nominated for “Music Broadcaster of the Year” at the inaugural ARIA Radio Academy Awards.

Eoghan Doherty, JOE.ie (Closing Gala Concert)

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER, ST. COLUMB’S HALL, 19.30

Eoghan is Deputy Editor of the award-winning website, JOE.ie. He is an experienced TV and radio broadcaster, contributing to productions on BBC, RTÉ, TV3 and UTV, as well as presenting his own show on Today FM.

He first joined Today FM in 2007, reviewing films on The Ray Foley Show, and since then he has presented and contributed to The Movie Show (RTÉ), The Today Show (RTÉ), Ireland’s Search And Rescue (RTÉ), The Seven O’Clock Show (TV3), The Irish Film And Television Awards (TV3) and Ireland AM (TV3).

Since joining JOE.ie in 2013, Eoghan has overseen the development of the site into one of Ireland and the UK’s most prominent online publishers. As a film journalist he has interviewed numerous Hollywood stars including Robert DeNiro, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Penélope Cruz, Daniel Craig, Will Ferrell and Liam Neeson.

A graduate of Music and English Literature at University College Dublin, Eoghan is an oboist, violinist and a member of the internationally acclaimed, Derry-based chamber choir, Codetta.

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL 2016

THANK YOU!

Festival Funders

Arts Council of Northern Ireland

Derry City and Strabane District Council Enkalon Foundation

Festival Sponsors

City Hotel, Derry Tourism NI

Festival Donor

Westway Film Productions

Media Partners

Derry Journal

RTÉ Lyric FM

Friends of the Festival

Seamus Brady

Brid McGinley

Judith O’Hare

Joy Tennis

Susan Spence

Aideen Campbell

James Crosbie

Pat Crosbie

Eoghan Doherty

Leo Stevenson

Anthony McGurk

Mary McGurk

Festival Partners

Foyleside Shopping Centre Doherty’s Meats City Cabs

The Sandwich Co. McGonagle’s Coach Hire McIvor Plastics

Special thanks to:

Fiona Logue, Festival Accompanist

Patricia McCormack, Flowers

Pádraig Ó’Duinnín, Lumiere Events Ltd.

John Gallagher, Lumiere Events Ltd.

John McCandless, Graphic Design

Dale Blackwood, Graphic Design

Peter Meenagh, Web Design

Frank Lyons, Ulster University Magee

Festival Staff

Dónal Doherty, Artistic Director

Matthew Greenall, Executive Director, Walled City Music

Gráinne Stevenson, Festival Manager

Fiona Umetsu, Community and Outreach Officer

Cathy Cowan, Marketing Coordinator

Gráinne Logue, Festival Assistant

Management Committee

Eamonn Gee, Chair

Anthony McGurk

Colm Rainey

Joy Tennis Martin White

The City of Derry International Choral Festival is produced in association with Walled City Music and wishes to thank…

Volunteers

Andrea O’Donnell

Ann McCay

Anna McAllister

Brendan Doherty

Bríd McCann

Calum McCullagh

Caoimhe Armstrong

Chris Dunne

Chris Kerrigan

Chris McCann Chris Rodgers

Damien Harkin

Deirdre O’Callaghan

Denise Murphy

Dermot Carlin

Dermot O’Donnell Edwin Brown

Eimear O’Gorman Emer McCallion

Emma Barr Eoghan Doherty

Erin Gormley

Fidelma Legge

Fiona Lee

Gabrielle Deans

Gerard McLaughlin

Gráinne Doherty

Greta McTague Hayley McGivern Helen O’Hare

Isobelle Browne

Jenny Grant

Jenny Huey

Jill Flanagan

John Cunningham

John Huw Cleghorn

Juan Marcos Rossi

Julia McIvor

Katarzyna Karbownik

Kevin Healy

Laura McNutt Liam Costello

Maeve Connelly

Maeve Ward

Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh

Margaret McCay

Maria Cutliffe

Martin Flanagan

Maurice Kelly Niamh McGowan Nicky Fallon

Olivia Goodman Paddy Quinn

Pat Crosbie

Rachel Harkin

Rachel Tennis

Rebecca O’Doherty

Rita Henderson Roisin Rice

Rosemary Doherty Sean Doherty

Teresa Moore Una Carlin

2016

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Wednesday 19

October

Sing Joyfully! International Choral Symposium

Foyle Arts Building (UU Magee) 09.30 – 16.00

Opening Gala Concert Guildhall 19.30 – 21.30

Thursday 20

October

Primary School Unison Competition

St. Columb’s Hall 11.00 – 11.30

Guest performance by Volantes Soni, Poland St. Columb’s Hall 11.30 – 11.45

Primary School Partsong Competition St. Columb’s Hall 11.45 – 12.45

Big Sing Workshop with SLIXS (primary schools) St. Columb’s Hall 13.15 – 14.00

Adjudication of primary competitions St. Columb’s Hall 14.00 – 14.30

SLIXS St. Columb’s Hall 19.30 – 21.30

Festival Club Cinema Bar, St. Columb’s Hall, 21.30

Friday 21 October

Choral Trail City centre and community locations throughout the day, 09.30 – 21.00

Post-Primary Unison/2Part Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 10.00 – 11.00

Post-Primary 3/4-Part Competition St. Columb’s Hall 11.15 – 13.00

Guest performance by Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir, Hungary St. Columb’s Hall 13.45 – 14.00

Big Sing Workshop with Zoltán Pad (post-primary schools) St. Columb’s Hall 14.00 – 14.45

Adjudication of postprimary competitions St. Columb’s Hall 14.45 – 15.15

The Sixteen St. Columb’s Hall 19.30 – 21.30

Festival Club Cinema Bar, St. Columb’s Hall, 21.30

Fauna St. Augustine’s Church 23.00 – 00.00

CITY OF DERRY INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Saturday 22 October

Choral Trail City centre and community locations throughout the day 12.00 – 18.30

Community Concert The Gasyard Centre, 13.00 – 14.00

National Male Voice Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 11.00 – 11.30

Guest performance by Mornington Singers, Ireland St. Columb’s Hall, 11.30 – 11.45

National Female Voice Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 11.45 – 12.15

Adjudication of Equal Voice Competitions St. Columb’s Hall, 12.30 – 13.00

National Mixed Voice Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 14.00 – 15.15

National Popular, Jazz & Gospel Music Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 15.30 – 16.45

Big Sing Workshop with Fauna (open to all) St. Columb’s Hall, 16.45 – 17.30

Adjudication of Mixed Voice and Popular, Jazz & Gospel Competitions St. Columb’s Hall, 17.30 – 18.00

International Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 19.30 – 22.00

Festival Club (ceilidh) Cinema Bar, St. Columb’s Hall, 22.00

Sunday 23 October

Sacred Trail City Churches 10.00 – 13.30

Choral Trail City centre and community locations throughout the day, 13.00 – 16.00

Community Concert St. Columb’s Park House 13.00 – 14.00

Community Concert Studio 2, Skeoge 15.00 – 16.00

National Sacred Music Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 13.00 – 13.45

Guest performance by Agria Swara, Indonesia St. Columb’s Hall, 13.45 – 14.00

Adjudication of Sacred Music Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 14.00 – 14.15

National Vocal Ensemble Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 14.30 – 15.15

National Youth Choir Competition St. Columb’s Hall, 15.15 – 16.15

Guest performance by Something Special, Gamelan Ensemble St. Columb’s Hall, 16.15 – 16.30

Adjudication of Vocal Ensemble and Youth Competitions St. Columb’s Hall, 16.30 – 17.00

Closing Gala Concert and Awards St. Columb’s Hall, 19.30 – 22.00

Festival Club City Hotel, 22.00