Farmers’ Choir NI to bring rural life to the stage with Spring Concert at The Braid in Ballymena

Music inspired by the land, the seasons and the lived experiences of Northern Ireland’s farming community is set to take centre stage in Ballymena later this month as Farmers’ Choir NI prepares for its upcoming Spring Concert at The Braid Arts Centre.

The choir has announced that the special performance will take place on Wednesday 29th April at 8:00pm, promising an uplifting evening of music and storytelling rooted in the heart of rural life.

Set in one of Ballymena’s best-known cultural venues, the concert will feature what organisers describe as an engaging and diverse programme designed to appeal to a wide audience, blending well-loved favourites with lesser-known musical pieces.

A celebration of rural life through music

At the heart of the evening is the choir’s strong connection to farming communities across Northern Ireland.

Many of the songs selected for the programme draw inspiration from the land, nature and the distinctive beauty of the Northern Ireland landscape, reflecting the choir’s identity and the backgrounds of its members.

With many singers actively involved in farming and the wider agricultural sector, the performance is also expected to capture the everyday rhythms of life in the countryside — from the challenges and demands of agricultural work to the sense of reward, resilience and community that comes with it.

That lived experience, organisers say, brings a unique authenticity and warmth to the choir’s sound.

Rather than simply performing music, the choir aims to tell the story of rural Northern Ireland through song, celebrating the heritage, traditions and shared experiences that shape life in farming communities.

Musical Director Barkley Thompson said the upcoming concert reflects the very identity of the group.

“This concert is a reflection of who we are,” said Musical Director Barkley Thompson. “Our music is rooted in the countryside and shaped by the lives we lead. We’re excited to share that story with our audience.”

Storytelling, harmony and heritage

The Spring Concert is being billed as more than a traditional choral performance, with organisers highlighting its storytelling element and its focus on community heritage.

Through music inspired by the countryside and the people who live and work within it, the event is expected to offer audiences a heartfelt celebration of Northern Ireland’s agricultural traditions.

The performance also shines a light on the cultural contribution made by rural communities, bringing voices from across the farming sector together in harmony.

Farmers’ Choir NI is made up of members from across Northern Ireland who are actively involved in farming, the wider agricultural industry, or who have strong family and community ties to agriculture.

The choir’s mission is to celebrate rural life through music, combining tradition, storytelling and harmony in performances across the region.

Concert details and tickets

The Spring Concert will take place at The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena, on Wednesday 29th April, beginning at 8:00pm.

Tickets are available through The Braid Arts Centre Box Office.

For further information, the choir has asked people to get in touch via farmerschoirni@gmail.com or through the Farmers’ Choir NI Facebook page.

With its blend of music, lived experience and rural storytelling, the concert is expected to offer a memorable evening for audiences in Ballymena and beyond.

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At a glance

• Farmers’ Choir NI will perform its Spring Concert on Wednesday 29th April at 8:00pm

• Venue: The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena

• Programme includes well-known favourites and lesser-known pieces

• Music is inspired by rural life, farming and the Northern Ireland landscape

• Many choir members are actively involved in farming

• Performance will reflect the realities and rewards of agricultural life

• Musical Director Barkley Thompson says the concert reflects “who we are”

• Tickets available from The Braid Box Office

• Further details via email or the choir’s Facebook page