City of Derry International Choral Festival set for its biggest year yet!

In just 48 hours one of Europe's fastest growing Choral Festivals will kick off in Derry, hosting six international choirs and more than 60 school and national choirs as well as unmissable performances from world-famous groups such as Harry Christophers & The Sixteen, SLIXS and Fauna.
The Codetta Choir who will perform at the City of Derry International Choral Festival Opening Gala Concert at The Guildhall this Wednesday October 19.The Codetta Choir who will perform at the City of Derry International Choral Festival Opening Gala Concert at The Guildhall this Wednesday October 19.
The Codetta Choir who will perform at the City of Derry International Choral Festival Opening Gala Concert at The Guildhall this Wednesday October 19.

The festival officially gets under way on Wednesday evening, October 19, with an Opening Gala Concert in The Guildhall from 7.30pm.

The evening will feature a special guest performance from one of the world’s most celebrated female organists Catherine Ennis with singing from choral group Codetta, led by Festival Founder & Artistic Director Donal Doherty.

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On Thursday, the next generation of choral groups will compete at St Columb’s Hall in the Primary Schools’ Competition, followed by an Evening Concert with SLIXS.

This Berlin-based vocal group, perform without instruments and their unique performance style sets them far apart from any of the genre’s clichés. With their powerful mixture of Jazz, Pop und Funk, Classical and World Music, what they call the Vokal Bastard, these six multitalented voices have rocked audiences at concerts and festivals across Europe and Asia.

Friday will see the popular Post-Primary Choral Competition fill the city’s St Columb’s Hall with song throughout the day followed by an evening concert with Harry Christophers & The Sixteen, who recently sold out The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Some tickets are still available for this high profile performance in St Columb’s Hall from 7.30pm. Later that evening Norwegian all female choral group Fauna will perform a late-night concert of their new album in St Augustine’s Church from 11pm.

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The highlight of the weekend will be the International Competition, to be held on Saturday in St. Columb’s Hall. Six choirs from six countries (Indonesia, Poland, the UK, Germany, Ireland and Hungary) will compete for the prestigious “Oak Tree of Derry” trophy and substantial cash prizes.

Visitors and locals are also encouraged to keep an eye out for a number of surprise special performances happening over the weekend on the festival’s popular Choral Trail!

From choral enthusiasts to simply just music lovers, there really is something for everyone to enjoy in this year’s busy schedule. For full event listings see www.codichoral.com

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