Walled City Music is the leading promoter of classical, contemporary and choral music in the North West of Northern Ireland
To create an inspiring platform for classical music, accessible to all
To foster a new generation of young musicians
To strengthen music-making within the community
To remove boundaries and broaden perceptions by presenting fresh, innovative and exciting programmes from the world’s most exceptional musicians
Walled City Music was founded as Walled City Music Festival in 2008 by its Artistic Directors Dr. Cathal Breslin and Dr. Sabrina Hu, with the aim of bringing outstanding classical music making to the heart of cultural life in Derry, Northern Ireland
First held in 2009, Walled City Music’s summer chamber-music Festival (WCMF) has since attracted artists of international calibre from around the world, including the Kronos Quartet, Sir James Galway, Katia & Marielle Labeque, Jonathan Lemalu, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Augustin Dumay, Raphael Wallfisch, Jan Vogler, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, Brodsky Quartet, Emma Johnson, Nicholas Daniel, Colin Currie, Tine Thing Helseth, Anne Akiko Meyers, Jeremy Denk, Measha Brueggergosman and many others.
In addition to its now established Festival, Walled City Music has run many workshops, master-classes and outreach activities, to enable more people to develop their own skills and experience of music-making and interact with some of the outstanding musicians attending the Festival. In 2011 it extended its activity year-round by launching a concert series, with events held monthly.
In October 2013 Walled City Music, in partnership with City of Derry Civic Choirs launched the City of Derry International Choir Festival, a major new contribution to the musical life of Northern Ireland and the international choral calendar. The Festival is being held for a ninth season in October 2021.
In 2014 it extended its range further by promoting opera, experimental jazz and touring across Northern Ireland.
July 2019 saw the first edition of the Walled City Music International Piano Festival, a ten-day event with concerts, competitions and masterclasses featuring a visiting faculty of 40 international students and tutors.