The City of Derry International Choir Festival returns this October for its largest ever festival and organisers have announced the fantastic line-up of guest artists for this year’s programme of events.
The Festival kicks off with a majestic performance of one of the 20th century’s major choral works, A Child of Our Time by Michael Tippett. Featuring a Festival Chorus made up of 100 singers from across the Northwest, alongside incredible guest soloists and one of the island’s premier symphony orchestras, the Ulster Orchestra, the performance will be led by renowned Irish conductor, David Brophy. A plea for tolerance and humanity at a time of oppression and hate, the universal themes of this incredible and unmissable work continue to resonate, never more so than in the current conflicts of today.
On Friday of Festival week (23-27 October), the super sextet SLIXS from Germany are to be welcomed back to the city to wow audiences once more. One of the best vocal bands in the world, SLIXS perform a powerful and daring mixture of Pop and Jazz, Classical and World Music, and this autumn, their six multitalented voices will rock the Millennium Forum for one unforgettable evening of entertainment.
The singing supergroup will also be joined by a choir of outstanding young local singers from schools in Derry, Strabane and Donegal to perform two very special numbers.
On Saturday 26 October, the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry International Competition sees choirs from around the world battle it out before a distinguished panel of expert judges, each one aiming to be crowned the Winning Choir of the 2024 Festival. While on Sunday evening (27th October), the finale of the 12th Festival is party time as our visiting international competitors let their hair down with fun-filled celebratory performances of music and songs from their native countries.
The fantastic Festival draws to a close with the nail-biting announcement of the winning international choir and presentation of the spectacular Oak Tree of Derry Trophy.
Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music and Opera, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to support the City of Derry International Choir Festival, thanks to game-changing funding from The National Lottery players and all the money they raise for good causes. This festival is an annual highlight in the region’s annual cultural calendar, bringing people and communities together through the arts, to enjoy and celebrate wonderful choral music. Congratulations to the festival team on curating another exciting programme for 2024, and I would encourage everyone to go along and enjoy!” Tickets are now on sale for all events with early bird and group deals available throughout the month of August. All tickets are available from Millennium Forum Box Office.
