The City of Derry International Choir Festival will once again welcome an exceptional line-up of international choirs to the Northwest this October, as ensembles from across Europe and beyond gather to compete for the prestigious Oak Tree of Derry Trophy.
This year’s eight international competitors reflect the festival’s growing global reputation. From Germany, ChorWerkSaar Chamber Choir and Modus Novus Chamber Choir bring precision and contemporary flair, while Laeta Voce Vocal Ensemble (France) offers a rich and expressive European sound.
Stockholms Musikgymnasium Youth Choir (Sweden) highlights the next generation of elite singers, and The Alumnae Choir of the Academic Female Choir of the University of Tartu (Estonia) brings a celebrated choral tradition from one of the world’s great singing nations.
Ireland is strongly represented by Dulciana Vocal Ensemble, The Continuettes, and Fabre Ensemble. Spanning a range of styles from contemporary arrangements to traditional repertoire, these groups reflect the depth, diversity and continued growth of choral singing across the island, standing confidently alongside their international counterparts on a global stage.
Joining in a special non-competitive capacity, the E. Mikeladze Central Music School Choir (Georgia) adds a further international dimension, sharing a unique and historic vocal tradition. Together, these ensembles will compete at the highest level for the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy – an award that reflects excellence, artistry and the spirit of international collaboration at the heart of the festival.
While the international competition is a centrepiece moment, it sits within a broader programme of national competitions, school competitions, and a vibrant schedule of gala concerts, fringe performances, and community events. From large-scale performances in key venues to pop-up moments across the city, the festival will once again extend across Derry, Strabane, Letterkenny and the wider North West, creating a true “City of Song.”
The festival’s continued growth brings significant cultural and economic impact to the region – attracting visitors, supporting local business, and providing meaningful opportunities for participation, learning and cultural exchange. Crucially, it also offers local choirs and young people
the chance to engage directly with world-class performers.
Entries for national and school competitions remain open until the end of May, inviting choirs from across the UK and Ireland to be part of this dynamic and expanding international festival.
As anticipation builds, this year’s international line-up promises a powerful celebration of choral music—bringing global voices to the Northwest and further cementing Derry’s place on the world stage.
City of Derry International Choir Festival: 22–25 October 2026
International choirs compete for the Oak Tree of Derry Trophy. National and school competition entries close end of May 2026. Festival programme includes competitions, concerts and community events across the Northwest
First held in 2013, the City of Derry International Choir Festival is now established as a major event in the musical life of Northern Ireland and as the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK. Conceived as a joyous celebration of all that choral singing has to offer, its activities include concerts by world-renowned vocal groups, competitions for choirs, workshops and educational events for singers and conductors, and community concerts and choral trails in landmark locations across Derry and the surrounding area.
The festival welcomes more than 60 choirs each year and recent festivals have welcomed groups from Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales. Choirs range from local and school groups to vocal ensembles, adult, community and gospel choirs. Internationally acclaimed professional groups featuring in our guest concerts have included The Sixteen, Tenebrae, The King’s Singers, Chanticleer, The Real Group, VOCES8, SLIXS, the Swingle Singers and Rajaton. The inclusion of such outstanding artists is a benchmark of the event’s high artistic quality.
More information: www.derrychoirfest.com
