City of Derry International Choir Festival unveils a sparkling 2020 online programme in celebration of the art of song.

• City of Derry International Choir Festival goes online this year with a rich, colourful and plentiful virtual programme of performances, events and workshops running from Wednesday 21 October to Sunday 25 October
• In a time where singers have, for many months, been unable to engage in the wonderful art form of singing, the festival is presenting an opportunity for choristers and audiences to come together to delight in the power of song; how it gives us a sense of community and togetherness, and brings us happiness and solace
• Audiences will be able to watch most of the free-to-view virtual concerts and events on City of Derry International Choir Festival’s facebook page, YouTube and website
• On the opening night of the festival, young pupils from post-primary schools across Derry, Strabane, Omagh and Donegal will join forces for a virtual school choir performance of the powerful and stirring ‘Amazing Grace’, a song which inspires hopeamidst difficulty
• Derry chamber choir Codetta and the Beckmann Foundation Choir (Tequila, Mexico) will perform the World Premiere of ‘A New Topography of Love’, a sensational new work composed specifically for the festival from Belfast’s Composer Laureate Brian Irvine and his award-winning production company Dumbworld. The piece, which reflects on how much of a gift our voices are and how sometimes it can take a crisis to realise what is of most value to us, will be accompanied by a unique visual animation
• A 350-strong virtual chorus, made up of singers from across the globe, will close the festival, with a moving performance of the much-loved popular work ‘Danny Boy’, under the conductorship of world-renowned choral composer Bob Chilcott
• Acclaimed chamber choir Tenebrae, who sing with ‘astonishing beauty and force’ (The Times), will enchant audiences in an evening encompassing choral works by Allegri, Bach, Lassus and Reger. Tenebrae’s atmospheric concert will be streamed from the serene and beautiful St Stephen Walbrook Church in London. Tenebrae’sconcert can be watched on Eventbrite, for which pre-registration is required – for this, please visithere
• Leading Irish six-piece a cappella group, Ardú, who reimagine popular music by combining rich melodies and harmonies with catchy beats and rhythms, will perform from the exquisite setting of The Glassworks in Derry. Their streamed concert will take in arrangements of a wide variety of well-known songs including ‘Heroes’ by David Bowie, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ by Bill Withers, The Traditional American Song ‘Homeward Bound’, and ‘Youth’ by Daughter amongst others
• Elsewhere, there will be performances from a number of choirs taking place throughout the festival, weaving a virtual choral trail across the five days. There is a wonderful variety to these choirs: some are made up of children, others have elder members, some are local whilst others are international
• Other events in the festival include: a livestreamed symposium called Sing Joyfully, where 6 panellists and leaders in music will come together for an inspiring conversation on how music-makers can move forward and adapt their work to suit our extraordinary times; the #DerryChoirFest Podcast series comprising of 5 separate interviews with special festival guests including renowned choral conductors Ragnar Rasmussen and Josep Vila i Casañas, available to listen to on all podcast apps; and a short mini-series of programmes entitled #DerryChoirFest Playback, broadcast daily throughout the festival, delving into the archive of the last seven years of guest artists, international choirs, youth and community singing, from the inaugural festival in 2013’s City of Culture year to 2019’s seventh edition for the festival
• The festival features two inspiring and informative workshops: Members of Tenebrae and its Founder and Artistic Director, Nigel Short, will lead an exciting short session before a Q&A which offers the chance to hear essential top tips and practical advice from the award-winning choir. Elsewhere, Kodály expert Lucinda Geoghegan will deliver a webinar workshop for teachers, which will focus on how to deliver the music curriculum in primary schools under the current restrictions. The event will provide teachers with fresh and fun ideas for non-contact games and rhymes for early years’ music education. These two workshops will take place on zoom, and pre-registration is required by visiting City of Derry International Choir Festival’s website
• Speaking of City of Derry International Choir Festival, Artistic Director Dónal Doherty said: ‘“In a time of social distancing and isolation for so many, we have never felt such a strong desire from our many contributors and participants to feel connected through music. Friends from our previous seven festivals will be joined by many new friends from all over the world to help us create a truly memorable celebration of song for Festival 2020. We look forward to welcoming you to the party!”
• Since 2013, the City of Derry International Choir Festival has established itself as a major event in the musical life of Northern Ireland and as the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK.Its unique set of events includes participatory events for choirs of all nationalities, ages and abilities, and its guest artists, which range from sought-after vocal groups to modern a cappella groups. The festival is also renowned for its community engagement, competitions for choirs, workshops and educational events for singers and conductors and community concerts and choral trails in landmark locations across Derry and the surrounding area
• Now the festival can increase its reach even further with this year’s online iteration
• The events will be available after they take place online, so that audiences who can’t join can watch later, or even re-watch their favourite events

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