We are a classical choir based around Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry / Londonderry, in the North West of Northern Ireland, with members from both sides of the border and all communities. Proud of our founding and enduring association with Altnagelvin Hospital, the first general hospital to be built in the UK following the foundation of the NHS, we perform two main fundraising concerts per year to support local and national charities which have a focus on health and / or social well-being.
Membership is open and is not confined to staff members of the Hospital or Western Health & Social Care Trust – Join Us.
Recent Event – A Two-Choir Anniversary Celebration, Sunday 21 May 2023, St, Eugene’s Cathedral, starting at 830pm
During autumn last year, Bishop Donal asked the Director of Music at St. Eugene’s Cathedral, Maghnus Monaghan, to arrange a celebration event for the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral. Maghnus approached Dr. Derek Collins, Director of Music of the Altnagelvin Hospital Choir, resulting in this collaboration during which, both choirs independently in the first half and in the second, a joint performance of some of the most life-affirming chorales in all music, taken from Handel’s wonderful oratorio, Messiah. Altnagelvin Hospital Choir opened the concert with Gloria by Chilcott, with it’s varied 4 movements moving from triumphal excitement opening section, to the poignant Domine Deus, the lyrical Qui Tollis and the final, upbeat , triumphal Quoniam, with its off-beat rhythm. After a short welcome address by the Bishop, St Eugene’s choir same Bogodtise Devo by Rachmaninov, Tantum Ergo by Schubert and a new composition by PE Cowley, All in That Moment, a lovely piece and as its premiere performance! The 7 movements of Messiah, culminated in Worthy is The Lamb, a glorious finale!
There was no entrance fee for the performance but during the break, you will be invited to give a donation to the St. Eugene’s Cathedral Choir Choral Scholars’ Scheme set up as a charity last September to attract young people to join the choir, teach them choral skills, involve them in Cathedral life and liturgy, and give them the wonderful experience that such choral life brings. The Scholars receive a stipend for the services, rehearsals and events they attend. To date we have regularly had half a dozen youngsters in our midst and we intend to increase that to ten or twelve each year. If you know of anyone in full-time education who might benefit, let Maghnus or Anne Marie or Rosemary Finan know please – email Altnagelvin Hospital Choir and we can put you in touch.
The Scheme has been generously supported by The Inner City Trust for its first three years, by a grant from Arts Council NI, by the Cathedral itself and donations from choir members. Again, if you would like to add to the fund required to run the scheme, let Maghnus, Anne Marie or Rosemary know; they’ll be very, very pleased to hear from you!
Photos courtesy of Mary Durkan
In aid of Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust
Keep an eye on this spot and our EVENTS page.
We sing in four parts and our ever-growing repertoire includes choral music from the last five centuries. While we take the music seriously, we enjoy the social and shared aspect of our work together. Whatever your voice (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass), if you are interested in exploring what we do, Contact Us. We can also be found on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram.
As well as our two main concerts, we also provide a number of community service events. We sing at the Altnagelvin Hospital ICU Memorial Service in November each year and sing carols on the wards after our main Christmas concert. Since 2018 we have also held a Carol Service with 9 Lessons in local churches for hospital staff, their friends and families and the local community.
This is a recording of Gaelic Blessing by John Rutter and Irish Blessing, by Philip Stopford. It was made for Altnagelvin ICU A Time to Remember Service video 2021 and recorded in Christ Church. The Organist was Nicky Morton and it was conducted by our Musical Director, Derek Collins. This was in place of the usual, annual, in-person remembrance service for family members and was incorporated into a video along with readings and prayers by the Hospital Chaplaincy Team. We hope that you enjoy it, our first performance since 2019, albeit recorded.
This year’s Charity:
Each year we nominate a charity to support and promote. The nominated charity for this Season (August 2022 – May 2023) is Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. The Charity is based in Northern Ireland and has served members of our local community. Click on the hyperlink above for more information.
If you wish to make a donation to us we will add this to the donation which we will pass on to the Charity. You can do this by emailing us for our bank details for a bank transfer, for our Treasurer’s address to send a cheque.
Altnagelvin Hospital Choir 