3 minute read
Foreword
It’s that time of year again – the beautiful summer flower displays have gone, the leaves are falling from the trees and the City of Song bursts into life. Welcome to the seventh edition of the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
What a fantastic week of exciting and varied music we have ahead of us. Just a quick scan of the menu of events listed in the contents page of this programme is sufficient to get the musical taste buds going – a feast for the ears!
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Among the returning guest artists are SLIXS, who received a deafening ovation at the end of their memorable performance at the festival in 2016 and the Ulster Orchestra, who will once again accompany the Festival Chorus for the opening night Gala Concert.
We welcome The Gesualdo Six as first-time visitors to the festival, who will perform as part of a double bill of concerts on Thursday night in the beautiful and contrasting settings of Christ Church and St. Eugene’s Cathedral. Joining Codetta for the late-night concert will be 10 singers from Mexico, courtesy of the generous support of the Beckmann Foundation in Tequila.
The prestigious Oak Tree of Derry trophy has attracted superb choirs from as far away as Brazil to this year’s festival. They will entertain us in St Columb’s Hall and at many venues throughout the city, where they will be joined by hundreds of other singers as part of the extensive Every Voice Community Programme, organised in partnership with local community arts organisation Allegri.
Enormous thanks as always goes to our small army of volunteers, to you our audience, to our friends, sponsors and funders, and of course to all the singers who bring such joy to the thousands who will be fortunate to hear them as part of Festival 2019.
Enjoy the feast!
Dónal Doherty
Artistic Director of the Festival
As Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, I am delighted that we are once again hosting the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Now in its seventh year, the festival has built on the legacy of City of Culture 2013. Once again our reputation as the city of song will be well represented on an international stage. Not only does the festival attract choirs from across the globe, it also shines a light on our local singing talent, and I am particularly pleased to see a significant number of community concerts happening across the city, with Choral Trails and performances at many Sunday services through the Sacred Trail. Derry truly is a city with a great choral tradition at its heart, and it is exciting to see school and community choirs participating in competitions, 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.
Councillor Michaela Boyle
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council
A NOTE FROM OUR FUNDERS…
The Arts Council is proud to support the seventh City of Derry International Choir Festival, as once again it offers local audiences the opportunity to enjoy some of the most sought-after choral performers from around the world.
Thanks to its growing international reputation as a major celebration of the choral tradition, the festival continues to reach new heights of excellence. This year’s impressive programme boasts, for instance, world-class artists and choirs, SLIXS, The Gesualdo Six and outstanding homegrown talent in the form of Festival Chorus performing with the Ulster Orchestra and a stunning new work from Dumbworld.
The Arts Council supports the festival with funding from the National Lottery, which this year celebrates its 25th birthday. I would take this occasion to acknowledge the invaluable role that the Lottery plays in enabling arts organisations throughout Northern Ireland to deliver highquality, inspiring and enriching arts and cultural experiences for everyone to enjoy. With this backing, the City of Derry International Choir Festival is achieving great things, as it continues to deepen our appreciation of choral music and engage the whole city in song.
Ciaran Scullion
Head of Music Arts Council of Northern Ireland
