22 - 26 October 2025
Wednesday 22 October, Millennium Forum, 7.30pm
Raise the curtain on this year’s City of Derry International Choir Festival with a spectacular evening of drama, beauty and vocal power. A Night at the Opera brings together the majestic forces of our Festival Chorus, the world-class Ulster Orchestra, and acclaimed soloists from Irish National Opera for a rousing performance of operatic favourites, under the baton of Conductor, Ryan McAdams.
Hear the passion and pathos of Verdi’s Nabucco, the fiery spirit of Bizet’s Carmen, the tender tragedy of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, and the glorious sweep of Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
Ulster’s premier orchestra will team up with around 100 voices from across the North West of Ireland, the Festival Chorus, uniting community and artistry in a breathtaking choral experience.
This stirring gala will undoubtedly set the tone for a week of unforgettable music-making in Derry. Don’t miss this powerful Festival opening!
_
Thursday 23 October, Guildhall, 7.30pm
Join us for an evening of pure vocal brilliance with The Marian Consort, the award-winning British vocal ensemble renowned for their bold, emotionally rich performances spanning music from the 12th century to the present day.
Led by founder and director Rory McCleery, The Marian Consort brings a uniquely intimate approach to early and contemporary music alike — praised for their clarity, soulfulness, and stunning one-to-a-part singing. Recent appearances include the BBC Proms, Wigmore Hall, and concert halls across the US, Europe, and Japan.
Expect a programme that is both thought-provoking and captivating, championing hidden Renaissance gems alongside powerful new works by living composers. Whether reviving overlooked voices of the past or giving life to fresh compositions, The Marian Consort promises a luminous and unforgettable musical experience in the gorgeous acoustics of the Guildhall.
_
Friday 24 October, Millennium Forum, 7.30pm
The Humanophones don’t need instruments. They are the instruments.
Using their voices and every other conceivable part of the body that can be used as a sound space, this electrifying seven-member French troupe delivers a genre-defying blend of jazz, pop, funk, soul and world music, all performed through rhythm, movement, and vocal energy alone.
They call it “Body Pop Music”, an extraordinary, high-octane performance style that is as visually captivating as it is musically inventive. Fast-paced, funny, and endlessly surprising, their shows have wowed audiences across the globe.
In a special Festival collaboration, the Humanophones will be joined on stage by the Festival Youth Chorus, a group of talented young singers from schools across Derry and the North West for an exhilarating evening of sound that celebrates the universal power of the human body and voice.
_
Buy Tickets
Friday 24 October, St. Eugene's Cathedral, 10pm
Bask in the serenity of a late-night choral experience as two of Ireland’s finest choirs, Codetta and New Dublin Voices, come together in the transcendent setting of St Eugene’s Cathedral.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2025, Codetta is a cornerstone of the choral scene in Northern Ireland and beyond, with an impressive international touring record, collaborations with the Ulster Orchestra, and standout performances at the BBC Proms and Washington’s Kennedy Center. Under the direction of Dónal Doherty, Codetta brings a powerful blend of choral richness and artistic vision to every performance.
They are joined by the exceptional New Dublin Voices, an internationally decorated chamber choir led by Bernie Sherlock, who are also celebrating a key milestone, their 20th anniversary in 2025. Winning top honours at prestigious competitions across Europe, including 1st place winners of our very own Oak Tree of Derry International Competition in 2019, New Dublin Voices are known for their daring, imaginative programming and commitment to new music.
Together, these choirs will present a radiant programme of sacred and contemporary music, ensuring a wonderfully luminous end to your Friday at the Festival.
Retiring CollectionSaturday 25 October, Guildhall, 8.00pm
Always a fan favourite, and a sell-out show in 2024, the Oak Tree of Derry International Competition is the jewel in the crown for the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Witness the pinnacle of global choral artistry as choirs from across the world compete for the coveted Oak Tree of Derry Trophy, the Festival’s top international prize. Held in the iconic Guildhall, this thrilling contest brings together diverse voices, cultures, and musical traditions in a dazzling showcase of choral talent.
Since the Festival’s inception in 2013, the competition has become a major draw for world-class choirs, with previous winners hailing from Ireland, Slovenia, Indonesia, Estonia, Wales, and Latvia. An international panel of adjudicators will evaluate performances that push artistic boundaries and celebrate choral excellence.
Be part of this extraordinary evening. Early booking is advisable.
Buy TicketsSunday 26 October, Millennium Forum, 8.00pm
“And the winner is…”
Join us for the grand finale of the 2025 Festival, a joyful, celebratory evening that brings together voices from around the world in a glittering Closing Gala Concert & Awards Show.
This is your chance to hear these incredible ensembles one final time before they depart AND to witness the dramatic announcement of the 2025 winner of the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy amongst other awards.
Expect vibrant performances by this year’s visiting international choirs as they perform music and songs from their homelands, filling the Millennium Forum with choral joy.
It’s a night of celebration, reflection, and unity through song. So whatever you do, don’t miss this spectacular send-off to another amazing edition of the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Buy Tickets
