Press Release

Mayor’s Christmas Choral Cheer

Monday, November 20, 2006

Derry city centre will be alive with the sound of music this Christmas when local choirs and orchestras fill the air with seasonal tunes. School, community and church choirs will be taking part in the weeklong musical extravaganza, which will really set the scene for everyone in Derry this Christmas.

This Mayoral initiative commences in the acoustic splendour of the Guildhall on Saturday 16th December at 8pm and will feature the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) Youth Orchestra and City of Derry civic choirs. Christmas and classical favourites will ensure that Derry is full of Christmas magic during the Season of Goodwill.

Inviting everyone along to her festive feast of music, the Mayor, Councillor Helen Quigley said: “I’m really looking forward to hearing some of the very best local choirs and orchestras who’ll be filling the Derry air with our favourite Christmas carols. This is a magical time of year and we want everyone in the city - both local and visiting to enjoy Christmas and hopefully be touched by a little bit of festive cheer.

“We have so much to offer here in Derry and I hope this Carol Service will build on the good work and positive image created by the Continental Market and Guildhall Craft Fair. I think it will help get everyone into the spirit of Christmas.”

A choral session will take place in Guildhall Square each evening between 6pm and 9pm and will culminate in a magnificent rendition of Handel’s Messiah inside the Guildhall on Friday 22nd December at 8pm. It will be performed by Codetta - (one of Derry’s civic choirs) along with the City of Derry Youth Choir & WELB staff orchestra. Local soloists will include Soprano, Una Carlin; Mezzo Soprano, Doreen Curran; and Tenor, Eugene O’Hagan.

Welcoming the Christmas Carol Service to Derry, Donal Doherty, the Director of Music said:

“This is a fantastic idea and will create a lovely atmosphere for everyone in Derry this Christmas. We’re very lucky that we have a venue like the Guildhall, which is perfect for choral and orchestral performances.

“This idea is very popular on the continent and I’m sure everyone will appreciate this touch at Christmas - it’s sure to add plenty of cheer!”

Further details on the City’s Christmas carol campaign will be announced in early December.

Ends

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