Week-long 'Every Voice Festival' set to enchant the North West

The Every Voice Festival, a week-long celebration of music, community, and creativity, is set to return to Derry from today (Monday 17th - Sunday 23rd June). 

This year’s festival promises an exciting array of performances from diverse choirs and musical groups, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the region.

The festival begins today (Monday) at the Holywell Trust where the festival’s official opening night will feature a variety of performances from: Momentum Community Choir; Hive Choir; Mood Swings; MellowDEEDS and members of the Allegri Ladies Choir and Inishowen Gospel Choir 

Tuesday sees the Alley Theatre host an evening of vibrant performances from DEEDS Park & Strabane; Strabane Chorale; Holy Cross Junior Choir; Strabane Academy Choir; Voices of the Foyle and Danu Young Women’s Choir

On Wednesday a pop-up performance by Tuned-In at Sainsbury’s supermarket at 1pm will deliver musical delights to shoppers of all ages.

Later that night, St Columb’s Hall sees a diverse lineup take to the stage to entertain and enchant the audience. One of the choirs to perform is The Shirt Factories Singers, a choir made up of friends of the city’s factories and newly established as part of this year’s festival. The other choirs joining them on the line up are Eglintones; Springtown Voices (Seagate Technology); Donegal’s Donagh Choir and the Rosemount Male Voice Choir.

Thursday 20th June sees a day dedicated to youth, with performances and workshops led by Maurice Kelly and Ciarán Kelly at St Columb’s Hall.  Students from schools including Lumen Christi College, Lisneal College, Oakgrove Integrated College, St Cecilia’s College, Strabane Academy, and Holy Cross College will come together in group workshops, culminating in a showcase performance outside Caffe Nero at 1.30pm.

That evening sees an evening of choral harmony at Christ Church featuring the Rosemount Male Voice Choir; Encore Contemporary Choir; MomentumChoir; Momentum Community Choir and the Ringabellas.

Pop-up performances including Song for the Soul in Foyleside bring the festival's spirit to the heart of the city on Friday at 2pm while Saturday sees a Come and Sing Event at the Guildhall. 

This full day of musical engagement starts with workshops from 12pm led by Maurice Kelly and Doreen Curran with the day culminating in a concert at 7.30pm featuring: Allegri Ladies Choir; Belfast’s Cavehill Community Choir and Northern Sounds and the Every Voice Festival Chorus.

The festival concludes with Joy! Sacred Music Concert featuring: First Derry Presbyterian Church Choir; One Voice Ensemble; St Eugene’s Cathedral Folk Group; Immaculate Conception Church Choir and St Mary’s Church (Ardmore) Folk Group at 6pm in First Derry Church.

The 2024 Every Voice Festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of community, diversity, and musical excellence.

The full programme can be accessed on Allegri’s Facebook and X accounts and at www.allegri.co.uk.

All other events are free admission and open to the public, with the exception of the Stand Up and Sing Gala Concert on Saturday 22nd June. Tickets for that event are available via Eventbrite by searching Every Voice Festival.

Visit www.allegri.co.uk/every-voice-festival for more information and a detailed programme.