The Derry choir opened proceedings at Shantallow Community Centre in the company of the city’s Calgach Singers and the renowned Männerstimmen Basel Choir from Switzerland on Thursday last.
First held in 2013, the festival is now established as a major event and this year it coincided with Positive Ageing Month, which celebrates the ageing community.
Sinead Devine, Deeds Co-Ordinator at Old Library Trust, said: “The group were delighted to go along and perform alongside the Calgach Singers and the fantastic visiting choir from Switzerland.”
The lunchtime programme lasted an hour and the DEEDS social groups were invited to perform as well as enjoy the musical feast among their friends, family and the local community.
Speaking after Thursday’s performance, Mellow DEEDS musical director Anna Nolan commented: “Music is a wonderful connector for those living with dementia. Our Mellow DEEDS members enjoy coming together every Monday to practice and share their love of music and it’s a great way to start the working week as it is so uplifting to hear those voices and to be part of the music they love.”
Sinead Devine also stressed the importance of connecting with the local community and said: “We feel these events where DEEDS reach out to connect with the community as part of our city’s festivals is an important part of the work we do as it continues to support our aim to make Derry and Strabane a dementia friendly city and district.”
5. Doire Calgach Singers performing at Shantallow Community Centre on Thursday.
Doire Calgach Singers performing at Shantallow Community Centre on Thursday. Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography
6. DEEDS TEAM. . . . .Staff and volunteers of the DEEDS Project pictured at Thursday's event in Shantallow Community Centre. Front Row L-R Eilish Brown, SineadDevine, Jane Levy and Pauline Heavern. Back from left to right, Kathleen McNaught, Ann Lynch, Ann Duddy, Liz McGilloway, Maureen Hamilton and Wendy McLaughlin. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)
DEEDS TEAM. . . . .Staff and volunteers of the DEEDS Project pictured at Thursday's event in Shantallow Community Centre. Front Row L-R Eilish Brown, SineadDevine, Jane Levy and Pauline Heavern. Back from left to right, Kathleen McNaught, Ann Lynch, Ann Duddy, Liz McGilloway, Maureen Hamilton and Wendy McLaughlin. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography) Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography
7. Members of the Swiss Choir Männerstimmen Basel enjoying the Mellow DEEDS Choir performance on Thursday.
Members of the Swiss Choir Männerstimmen Basel enjoying the Mellow DEEDS Choir performance on Thursday. Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography
8. Members, family and Staff of Mellow DEEDS pictured at Thursday's City of Derry International Choral Festival event at Shantallow Community centre. Seated are Adrian, Maureen and Jackie, and back, left to right, Elish Brown, Liz McGilloway, Kathleen McNaught, Wendy McLaughlin and Sinead Devine.
Members, family and Staff of Mellow DEEDS pictured at Thursday's City of Derry International Choral Festival event at Shantallow Community centre. Seated are Adrian, Maureen and Jackie, and back, left to right, Elish Brown, Liz McGilloway, Kathleen McNaught, Wendy McLaughlin and Sinead Devine. Photo: Jim McCafferty Photography