We are delighted to announce the 2nd edition of the City of Derry International Choral Festival, to be held from 23rd to 26th October 2014.

Following on from the outstanding success of the inaugural festival, which was held as part of the UK City of Culture 2013 programme, we are now looking forward to ensuring that the 2014 festival is even bigger and better.  

As before, the festival will provide opportunities for competitive and non-competitive participation for singers across a wide range of styles, ensembles and ages. The choral activities will begin with a school focus, where primary and post-primary choirs can enjoy the excitement of competing and take part in professionally-led workshops with renowned choral directors.

National choirs from Ireland and the UK will be invited to participate in a variety of competitions and performances, including Mixed Voice, Equal Voice, Youth, Sacred, Gospel and Barbershop categories. 

The International Competition will provide the highlight of the choral festival with top-class performances from some of the world’s most accomplished choirs, who will compete for the prestigious ‘Oak Tree of Derry’ Trophy, designed by Maurice Harron, and a significant monetary award. 

In addition to the wide range of competitions and workshops, the City of Derry will come alive with pop-up performances, high-quality concerts and educational activities providing a celebration of the best that choral music has to offer.

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to you and your choir to this, the second year of the City of Derry International Choral Festival. In the words of the Chairman of the Adjudication Panel, Professor Ragnar Rasmussen from Norway, ‘the festival feels like it has already been established for a long, long time. This is a wonderful thing!’