The Belfast Philharmonic Choir is proud to mark a historic milestone with our 150th Anniversary Gala Concert, taking place at Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Saturday 24th May 2025 at 7:30pm. This extraordinary evening of music celebrates a century and a half of song, community, and artistic excellence.

At the heart of the programme is the world premiere of The Offing, a newly commissioned choral work by acclaimed Irish composer Elaine Agnew, with text by award-winning poet Sinéad Morrissey. Written especially for this anniversary, The Offing brings together the Belfast Philharmonic’s Symphonic, Youth, and Chamber Choirs, accompanied by the Ulster Orchestra, pianist Gail Evans, and conducted by James Grossmith.

Sinéad Morrissey shares:

“It was such an honour to be asked to write the words for this new choral piece to celebrate the Belfast Philharmonic Choir’s 150th anniversary. It’s been a joy to work with the magnificent composer Elaine Agnew. I can’t wait to hear it – full voice! – on May 24th as part of the concert celebrating the choir’s many and lasting achievements over the past century and a half.”

The programme also features the Irish premiere of a new chamber version of James Whitbourn’s The Seven Heavens, and Howard Skempton’s He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven, composed for our 125th anniversary.

This evening is more than a concert—it’s a celebration of our journey through 150 years of music-making and the people who have shaped our story.
 

With Thanks to Our Supporters

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors and supporters who have made this event—and our anniversary commission—possible. Your partnership has allowed us to create something truly special for our singers, audiences, and the wider arts community.
We are especially grateful to:
This commission was supported by the Arts Council NI National Lottery Commissioning Programme, Leche Trust, Hinrichsen Foundation, Francis Routh Trust, Vaughan Williams Foundation.
This concert was supported by Cleaver Fulton Rankin.
Examen and MRA Partnership have sponsored 150^th celebrations.