City of Derry International Choir Festival is calling out to local, national and international choirs to join its 2021 Virtual Choral Trail and secure their spot in the Festival’s line-up.
It is one of the leading choir festivals globally and the only event of its kind in the United Kingdom.
Introduced in 2020, the Virtual Choral Trail was part of the hugely successful entirely digital programme of musical and choral events at the festival, featuring 40 choirs from 12 countries over six continents.
A smash success, the event was enjoyed online by more than 20,000 viewers from around the globe who were treated to a varied and eclectic mix of music from sacred and spiritual to pop, jazz and funk.
This new programme will boast incredible performances from internationally renowned artists such as Grammy Award-winning American a cappella ensemble Chanticleer and award-winning choir Tenebrae.
Artistic director of the City of Derry International Choir Festival Dónal Doherty said: “We are delighted to host our second Virtual Choral Trail this year which will celebrate the abundance of singing talent worldwide.
"Last year we welcomed choirs from as far away as Colombia, Nigeria and Australia and this year we hope to have even more choirs involved from all corners of the globe.
"Whether you are part of a professional choir, a workplace choir or community choir anywhere in the world, we encourage you to get involved.”
Choirs interested in taking part in this year’s City of Derry International Choir Festival Virtual Choral Trail should submit a video of their best performance of 3-5 minutes in length by September 30 through the Festival’s website.
All submitted videos will be shared online throughout Festival week for audiences to enjoy from the comfort of their home.
This special festival runs live and virtually from Wednesday October 20 until Sunday October 24.
It will mark the return of the award-winning Derry chamber choir Codetta in Long Tower Church with Derry cellist Kim Vaughan.
The Festival kicks off with the Opening Gala Concert on Wednesday October 20 featuring members of the Ulster Orchestra with local choirs and singers performing The Voyage, composed and conducted by world-famous choral director Bob Chilcott.
School performances will also return with a non-competitive format for primary years in the fun and community-spirited Primary Big Sing event in the Millennium Forum.
Choirs throughout the island of Ireland will return for a day of competitions in various categories including mixed voice, equal voice, youth, sacred, pop, jazz and gospel, culminating in the brand-new Choir of the Festival competition.
Dónal said: “It’s so important to us to get local communities involved in the Festival. We want to make the events as accessible as possible to those who cannot make it to the city, so we are urging choirs and ensembles to get involved online."
The 2021 Festival is supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, the Department for Communities, Derry & Strabane District Council, Donegal County Council, Tourism Northern Ireland, Community Foundation Northern Ireland, Inner City Trust, the Irish American Partnership and Caldwell & Robinson Solicitors.
Submit a video for the 2021 Virtual Choral Trail here.
More details on this year’s programme and events can be found here.
For more Derry news, visit our new site MyDerry.
