FEATURE // SING!!
THE MAIDEN CITY SINGS Live music makes a heavenly return at the City of Derry International Choir Festival
Whatever your definition, it only takes two (or more).
events, offering audiences the chance to enjoy live music once again.
Choir [noun]: a group of people who sing together.
As a country renowned for its musical talent, it comes as no surprise to learn that Northern Ireland is home to the largest international choir festival of its kind in the UK – and it’s popularity is growing. The City of Derry International Choir Festival (CoDICF) filled the Maiden City with song in late October as the ninth annual festival got underway, engaging a global audience of over 70,000 people and uniting them in song.
Running over five full days, the Festival featured a stellar programme of events including exclusive global premiere performances and a choral trail with live music staged all across the city. Star attractions included the internationally acclaimed all-male chorus “Chanticleer” and the award-winning vocal ensemble “Tenebrae.”
When you think of choir singing, what pops into your head? Perhaps it’s the haunting vocals of church choirs singing songs of praise and providing the soundtrack to lazy Sunday mornings. Maybe it’s the image of a flamboyant Whoopi Goldberg bringing some sass to Saint Katherine’s Convent Choir, the characters of Glee jazzing up the school choir repertoire with a fresh new take on modern classics or perhaps its James Corden and a celebrity guest rocking out to Carpool Karaoke.
SEVENTY FOUR // GNIMAG.COM
From workplace choirs to community choirs and even Grammy Award winners, the choir festival brought a palpable sense of joy as it returned for a mix of online and in-person
A city known for its culture – and its craic – was brought to life once more with the return of live music echoing from some of City of Derry’s most prestigious venues, with sold out concerts in St Columba’s Church, Long Tower and St. Columb’s Cathedral.
