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Open Arts Community Choir

The choir meets on Monday nights from 7pm – 9pm in Divis Community Centre, Belfast.

For more information or to book the choir for your event please contact Bev, bev@openartsni.org

The choir is an integral part of Open Arts artistic core programme. Started in 2000, the Open Arts Community Choir is a multi-award winning, inclusive choir. The membership is made up of disabled and non-disabled adults from many different backgrounds who are united by their love of music and singing.

"I really love being in the Open Arts Community Choir. I always feel encouraged and have made so many friends. It means so much being part of a choir which is inclusive, no matter what background you’re from or disability you have."
A picture of the Open Arts Community choir in the rotunda of Belfast City Hall, with the Lord Mayor Micky Murray.

In March 2025 the choir was awarded the Impact Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society Awards held at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.The category celebrates the UK’s non-professional ensembles, and the sole RPS Award voted for by the public. Here is a recording of the award ceremony.

Bev & Jemma are pictured beside the RPS Award popup stand which is peach pink with a picture of the award in the centre
A selfie of the Open Arts Community Choir at rehearsals smiling a shouting "Thank you".

In 2022 the choir took part in ‘Curfá, new choir competition for Irish TV channel TG4. Choirs from all over the island of Ireland competed to become the best choir in Ireland. The judges were; Moya Brennan, Colm Ó Foghlú and Nell Ní Chróinín. 

2020 was the 20th anniversary of the choir and for their 18th birthday commissioned the video below, which highlights some of the remarkable achievements they’ve had over the years such as performing on prime time TV and competing at the highest levels in the most prestigious of venues all over the UK, Ireland, Europe and the USA. In 2017 the choir represented Northern Ireland in the European Choir Games and won two gold medals, and a gold and silver diploma.