Cathedral date for Canadian Orpheus Male Voice Choir

The choir has agreed to be guest artistes at a special charity concert in Londonderry as part of their Irish tour when they will be performing at a number of venues throughout the country.

Other local choirs taking part in the concert will be the Doire Calgach Singers, the Rosemount Male Voice Choir and Cantamus, for an evening of choral music.

The Canadian Orpheus Male Voice Choir is an internationally known group of some 45 members. The choir was formed in 1977 and reflects the multicultural nature of Canada.

Its repertoire is extensive and varied and includes opera choruses, spirituals, hymns, popular tunes, songs from musicals, ballads and folklore.

The choir has performed in some 400 concerts in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, The Royal Festival Hall, Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral in addition to many major venues throughout the world.

Indeed, the choir has performed with many popular artistes most notably bass baritone Bryn Torfel, baritone Jason Howard, violinist Martin Beaver, tenor Glyn Evans, tenor Aldo Filistad and the Canadian Brass and Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Doire Calgach Singers, one of three local choirs who will also perform in St Columb’s Cathedral, is a musical voice cross-community choir comprising 32 members.

Formed in 1996, it boasts an extensive and varied repertoire and has performed in concerts not only in and around the Londonderry area, but throughout Ireland, London and America. The choir is also regular performer at the City of Derry Jazz Festival and the musical director of the Calgach Singers is well known musician, Trevor Burnside.

The Rosemount Male Voice Choir, under the direction of Raymond Kelly, was formed in 2012 for past pupils of Rosemount Primary School to celebrate the schools 100th anniversary.

The choir has performed at a number of events in the city including the ‘Return of Colmcille’ during the UK City of Culture Festival in 2013.

This choir has also competed successfully at Choral Festivals in Londonderry and in Sligo.

The third local choir, Cantamus, is a musical voice choir and it was established in 2000. The choir has recorded a CD and performed at various religious services, concerts and competitions across Counties Londonderry and Donegal and has performed successfully in other choral competitions throughout Ireland.

The Cantamus choir’s musical director is also Mr. Raymond Kelly.