Latest News


  • Trailer for 2020 Virtual Concert of Britten's Saint Nicolas
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 16 Jan 2025
    We performed Britten's Saint Nicolas in a virtual concert in 2020 and we can't wait to perform it live next Saturday 25th January at 4pm!

    Singers of all ages will spend the day rehearsing the piece with our Chorus Director James Grossmith and Youth Choirs Artistic Director Lynsey Callaghan, accompanied by Gail Evans on piano and Tristan Russcher on organ. Tenor Ross Scanlon will sing the role of 'Saint Nicolas' and also coach the young singers, so don't miss this exciting day of music making in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church from 1o.30am. 

    For all the details and to book tickets as a singer or audience member, click here.
    YouTube Video URL:
  • Photos of Youth Choirs Winter Recital (Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs)
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 12 Dec 2024
    The Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choirs performed an enchanting recital in Fisherwick Presbyterian Church on Friday 7th December in front of a packed audience of family and friends. Conducted by the Youth Choirs Artistic Director Lynsey Callaghan and with the Society's Accompanist Gail Evans on piano, each of the six choirs performed seasonal favourites and contemporary winter music.

    Click here to view photos from the event and for more information about our Youth Choirs, use the drop down menu above.
     
  • Reviews of Elijah with the Ulster Orchestra
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 9 Dec 2024
    Almost 150 years to the date when the Belfast Philharmonic Society performed Mendelssohn's Elijah in their first concert, we performed the piece with the Ulster Orchestra in the historic Ulster Hall on Friday 29th November.

    Conducted by our Chorus Director James Grossmith and with soloists Elinor Rolfe, Claire Barnett-Jones, Dean Power and Ben McAteer, the packed audience gave a standing ovation and Maria Rafferty from the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choir sang the role of the angel.

    Alf McCreary from The Newsletter described the concert as "a soaring performance" in his revew available here and David Byers' 5 star review in The Irish Times can be accessed through our Facebook page here.

    To watch a clip from the start of the concert, visit the Ulster Orchestra Facebook page here.
  • Open Rehearsals, Taster Sessions and Auditions Confirmed for January 2025
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 28 Nov 2024
    We are delighted to be holding a taster session for the Phil Kids on Tuesday 7th January and open rehearsals for the Youth and Chamber Choirs on Wednesday 15th January - for more details click on the 'Youth Choirs' drop down menu above.

    We will also be holding an open rehearsal for the Belfast Philharmonic Choir on Wednesday 8th January 2025 with auditions on Saturday 11th January and click here for more details and how to sign up.
     
  • Photos from Tour to Hungary (Belfast Philharmonic Choir)
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 11 Nov 2024
    The Belfast Philharmonic Choir travelled to Hungary in October to mark the 150th anniversary of the Society and performed concerts in the stunning St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest and Esztergom Basilica, the largest church building in the country.

    Appreciative audiences in both venues enjoyed James Whitbourn's The Seven Heavens, Howard Skempton's He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven, movements from Elaine Hagenberg's Illuminare and Morten Lauridsen's Nocturnes plus a beautifal arrangement of The Irish Blessing by James E. Moore.

    Photos of the tour are available to view here and for more information about travelling to Hungary with a musical group, contact Musik-Land Hungary - https://musik-land.hu/ 
  • Tickets Now on Sale for Youth Choirs Winter Recital (Belfast Philharmonic Youth and Chamber Choirs)
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 8 Nov 2024
    Tickets are now on sale for our annual Winter Recital featuring Youth and Chamber Choirs.

    Featuring a mix of contemporary winter music and seasonal carols, don't miss our youngest singers performing together from the ages of 5 - 18!

    For more information and to book tickets, click here.
  • New Appointment for our Youth Choirs Artistic Director
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 24 Oct 2024
    Congratulations to our Youth Choirs Artistic Director, Lynsey Callaghan, who has just been appointed the Principal Conductor of the National Youth Choir (9-15 Years)!

    Commenting on the appointment, Lynsey said “The National Youth Choir is an inspiring organisation, bringing together so many wonderful young people with diverse experiences to create excellent music together. I am immensely grateful to have an opportunity to play a role in this organisation, and I look forward to working with the team to continue and expand on this important work.”

    Lynsey's leadership of our Youth Choirs is inspirational and we look forward to hearing her plans for the National Youth Choir in 2025 - for more details visit the National Youth Choir website here
  • Chorus Director James Grossmith on Classical Connections (Belfast Philharmonic Choir)
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 15 Oct 2024
    Our Chorus Director James Grossmith spoke with BBC Radio Ulster presenter John Toal for 'Classical Connections' on Sunday 13th October about the upcoming season opener, 'This Shining Night' in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Carryduff.

    Listen back at the link (18 minutes and 50 seconds) to hear what to expect from the first concert of our special 150th anniversary season!

    For more details check out our event page here.
    For more information, see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0023wny
  • First Concert of the 150th Anniversary Season Announced (Belfast Philharmonic Choir)
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 1 Oct 2024
    We are delighted to announce the first concert of our 150th anniversary season, 'This Shining Night'!

    The Belfast Philharmonic Choir will perform a special fundraising concert in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Carryduff on Saturday 19th October at 7.45pm featuring music by James Whitbourn and Elaine Hagenberg (doors open at 7.15pm).

    Conducted by James Grossmith with pianist Gail Evans, more details can be found on our event page here or by opening the flyer below.

     
  • Elijah Rehearsal (Belfast Philharmonic Choir)
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 23 Sep 2024
    We had a great rehearsal on Saturday practising Mendelssohn's Elijah for our upcoming concert with the Ulster Orchestra. It is a special piece for the Society as it was performed at our first concert 150 years ago!

    Sign up to our newsletter here to be the first to hear all about the exciting plans we have for our anniversary season which will be announced soon, and visit the link below to book tickets for Elijah on Friday 29th November at 7.45pm in the Ulster Hall. 
      
    For more information, see: www.ulsterorchestra.org.uk/whats-on/29-nov-24_grossmith_belfast-philharmonic-choir_mendelssohn_elijah/
  • 150th anniversary season off to a great start!
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 5 Sep 2024

    We are delighted to have started our 150th anniversary season this week with some very busy taster sessions and open rehearsals across all our choirs!

    Another open rehearsal for the adult choir will take place on Wednesday 11th September from 7.30pm - 9.45pm in St. Bride's Hall and also on this date, auditions will take place for the Youth and Chamber Choirs (for young people aged 11-18). Auditions for the adult choir will happen on Saturday 14th September from 10am - 4pm and other dates and times can be arranged.

    If you missed the taster sessions and open rehearsals for the Phil Youth Choirs, please get in touch to arrange a time to attend a rehearsal as we will be accepting applications all term and we would love to hear from you.

    For more information about joining our adult and Youth Choirs, check out the drop down menus above or contact our Interim General Manager Clíona Donnelly at manager@belfastphilharmonic.org.uk or by phone on 07849164936 with any questions.


     

  • Join Us for our 150th anniversary season in 2024-25!
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 9 Jul 2024

    Open rehearsals, taster sessions and auditions for all the Belfast Philharmonic Society choirs are now confirmed and for more details, choose from the 'Adult Choir' or 'Youth Choirs' drop down menus above.

    'The Phil' is celebrating its 150th anniversary during the 2024-25 season so it's a perfect time to join! 
     
  • James Grossmith joins the Society as Chorus Director (Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Belfast Philharmonic Society)
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 15 Aug 2022

    The Belfast Philharmonic Society are pleased to announce that James Grossmith will become the Society's new Chorus Director in November 2022. James joins us from the Royal Swedish Opera where he is Principal Chorus Master, and prior to that he was Chorus Master and Staff Conductor at Scottish Opera. Katherine Hanratty, Chair of the Belfast Philharmonic Society: "I am delighted to welcome James Grossmith as our new Chorus Director. He brings a wealth of experience and skills and we are looking forward to working with him over the coming seasons and in preparation for our 150th Anniversary season in 2024/25."

    The adult choir will have an interim director from September to mid-November, but James will be holding auditions in late September for prospective new members, so keep an eye on our social media or e-list for details.

    For more information, see: www.belfastphilharmonic.org.uk/chorus-director