The Mellow DEEDS Choir performed magnificently at the City of Derry International Choir Festival on Thursday opening proceedings at Shantallow Community Centre in the company of the city’s Calgach Singers and the renowned Männerstimmen Basel Choir from Switzerland.

First held in 2013, the Festival is now established as a major event across the country and the only international choir festival of its kind in the UK.

This year’s event coincided with Positive Ageing Month which celebrates the ageing community. Mairéad Nic Bhloscaidh, Community & Outreach Coordinator for the City of Derry International Choir Festival invited Mellow Deeds to be a part of this year’s community festival.  

Sinead Devine, Deeds Co-Ordinator at Old Library Trust, said ‘The group were delighted to be invited to perform alongside the Calgach Singers and the fantastic visiting choir from Switzerland.

The lunchtime programme lasted an hour and the DEEDS social groups were invited to come along as well and  enjoy the musical feast among their friends, family and the local community.

Speaking after Thursday’s performance, Mellow DEEDS musical director Anna Nolan commented ‘Music is a wonderful connector for those living with dementia. Our Mellow DEEDS members enjoy coming together every Monday to practice and share their love of music and it’s a great way to start the working week as it is so uplifting to hear those voices and to be part of the music they love.’

Adding to those sentiments, Sinead Devine stressed the importance of connecting with the local community and said: ‘We feel these events where DEEDS reach out to connect with the community as part of our city’s festivals is an important part of the work we do as it continues to support our aim to make Derry and Strabane a dementia friendly city and district.’ The City of Derry International Choral Festival runs across the city and district from 18-22 October, 2023.