Local musicians get together for special Christmas events

ted 1,250 music makers from over 30 choirs in a programme of workshops and choral performances as part of the Every Voice Festival. The focus now is on producing two virtual Christmas performances which will see Orchestra NorthWest join with Allegri Ladies, Allegri Youth and a choir of community singers. These online concerts will be streamed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Allegri is currently inviting members to register for the community chorus which will record a virtual performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah as part of the Christmas Day programme. They are also welcoming young people between the ages of eight and 14 which will include the wonderful opportunity of singing virtually with a full symphony orchestra.

Maurice Kelly, Musical Director of the Allegri choirs and Orchestra NorthWest said: “Having had two fantastic sellout shows last year, we are obviously disappointed that the city’s Guildhall will not resound with festive cheer again this year. Given the seriousness of the situation we all find ourselves in, it’s important that we all play our part to help navigate our way safely through these troubling times, and right now that means refraining from gathering together in the physical sense.

“Instead, we are using coming together through technology to create opportunities for festive music-making in virtual groups. The result will be a musical Christmas extravaganza. This year, it’s time for us to bring the magic to you in what will be a very different Christmas for us all.”

In addition to these Christmas projects, Allegri’s 14-18-years-olds are working on a very special project on the 2020 pandemic, ‘Living in Lockdown’ to offer uplifting music and poetry workshops to reflect on the personal and social impact of Covid-19.

The young people are working with BAFTA-winning Northern Irish poet, Damian Gorman, to explore their experiences of lockdown and what it means for their lives through the written word. This will culminate in a poem which will be set to music by Derry composer Seán Doherty.

Maurice said: “This is such a special project for us and it is very fitting that we began the project on 10th October which was World Mental Health Day. A lot of our members are currently self-isolating but came along to engage in online discussion about how they are coping in 2020.

“At a time when the DCSDC area is recording among the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the UK, and Northern Ireland currently ranks as second highest in Europe, our hope is that this project will bring creative reassurance to our members during what is a confusing and difficult time for them. And we are hugely excited to be engaging the wonderful composer Seán Doherty to add an extra musical dimension to the text.”

Allegri hopes to launch this newly commissioned work for choir and orchestra in February 2021. If you are interested in registering to take part in the Hallelujah Chorus, please contact Allegri directly on [email protected] before 6th November 2020.

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