Sing Out Christmas - 2021
This is a recording from BBC Radio Ulster’s Sing Out Christmas special with local, choirs and soloists. Sing Out and celebrate the familiar words & music of Christmas with John Anderson and four great choirs, classical and traditional musicians, sacred and secular music as the ancient and the modern combine. Recorded in St Colmcille’s in Holywood, the wonderful sound of The Fermanagh Choral Society (conductor David Robertson), the Clare Chorale (conductor Sheelagh Greer), the choir of Carrickfergus Grammar School and Grosvenor (both conducted by Edward Craig) all feature some of their favourite pieces. And then the thrilling sound as the choirs combine and are joined by Stephen Hamill (organ) and Downshire Brass conducted by Michael Alcorn. The Uillean piper and multi-instrumentalist Oisín MCann brings a beautiful traditional interpretation to some of our most loved pieces. In the words of the song, Christmas may well be ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ but it is also a time of extraordinary contrasts. Particularly as the commercial world competes with the sacred message for our attention. Sing Out Christmas reflects that wonderful mixture with some popular secular favourites and some of the most beautiful profound reflections on the birth of Christ. So the invitation is . . . Sing Out Christmas with us and celebrate!
New CD for 2015
Details of our new CD ( released in December 2015) to mark the Band's 25th Anniversary. Copies of the CD can be purchased via the contact page on our website or available to download from iTunes in due course.
Excerpts from Downshire's new CD which is available to purchase through the Band website or at any Downshire performance in the coming weeks and months.
Tracks: Strike Up The Band, When Thunder Calls, Blaze Away, Cry Me A River (Flugelhorn Soloist: Amy Wilson), Lady Stewart’s Air, Sway, My Love Is Like A Red Red Rose (Cornet Soloist: Hannah Copes), Aces High, Mr Sandman, Shepherd Song (Euphonium Soloist: Edward Wilson), Copacabana, The Witch of the Westmerlands, O Magnum Mysterium, Goldcrest, Salome.
Other CDs
Downshire is proud to have two commercially available CDs recorded in 2011 and 2013. These can be downloaded from iTunes via the following links:
Horizons (2011)
Festive Favourites (2013)