First on stage were the Donegal Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Victor Yelamo. It was a special concert for the Malaga man – in the audience were his wife Orsi, their daughter Ana Maria and the latest addition to the family, son Tomás, born in September. Orsi is well-known as a violinist and tutor herself. It was a big occasion too for talented Letterkenny violinist Sarah Ponsonby, stepping into Orsi’s shoes with the Chamber Orchestra. Sarah is from a very well-known local musical family – her dad Ted has travelled the world as a professional musician.

First up were three movements of the Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock (Philip Arnold Heseltine), composed in 1926. Warlock died in 1930 at just 36. Then there was music from the film Dr. Zhivago – Lara’s Theme (used in the song ‘Somewhere My Love’), one of the most recognisable movie themes ever written. The final piece from the Chamber Orchestra was Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’.

Singers from three junior choirs in Carrick, Dungloe and Letterkenny made up the Donegal Junior Choir at the concert, under their conductors Evan McGarrigle, Sara Loughlin and Triona Sweeney. They got a rousing reception for their three pieces – ‘Believe’, from the film ‘Polar Express’; ‘Winter Solstice’; and ‘I Saw Three Ships’. In their red hats, occasional pair of festive glasses and enjoyment of their singing, they summoned up the Christmas spirit.

And now for something completely different! This was a true blow-out, as the young sax players had fun with harmony and rhythm in a series of pieces, including work by ‘the father of American music’ Stephen Foster and seasonal favourites ‘Ding-Dong Merrily on High’ and ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’. Fahan’s finest Sean McCarron, originally from Strabane and one of the North-West’s best-known jazzers, was wielding the metaphorical baton.

Lettermacaward’s Sara Loughlin was also in charge of the Donegal Youth Choir, whose procession from the back of the theatre singing ‘Away in a Manger’ produced a wonderful effect. They went on to deliver a very impressive set. First up was the inspirational ‘We Rise Again’, written by Leon Dubinsky of Cape Breton island on the Canadian east coast at a time when it was experiencing many of the same problems that effect Donegal, particularly emigration.Then came Rutter’s ‘A Christmas Lullaby’ and Shaw’s ‘On This Shining Night’.

Vincent Kennedy is now a regular visitor to Donegal from Dublin, and as conductor he brought another highly-praised performance from the Donegal Youth Orchestra in the second half of the concert. This could well be a golden period for this group, as almost all will still be at school in Donegal next year. They began with the ‘Academic Festival Overture’ by Brahms, then performed a festive favourite, ‘In the Bleak Mid-Winter’ by Holst. A rousing ‘Stand By Me’ showcased Vincent’s arranging skills, and that was followed music from the film ‘Frozen’, the highly distinctive ‘Can Can’ by Offenbach and another big favourite ‘Little Drummer Boy’. Music from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ was delivered with gusto to produce a big finish.

The audience at An Grainán got a chance to join in the musical fun with a series of communal carols with the choirs and musicians. The first half ended with ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’; the orchestra helped with ‘Away in a Manger’; and then ‘Silent Night’ and ‘Adeste Fidelis’ brought the show to an end in fitting style.

Such a big show takes a lot of work. Credit goes to everyone involved on the performing side, the conductors and the students, as well as the tutors. DMEP staffers Aisling Grier and Carole Gallagher took on a lot of the workload, particularly after Music Development Manager Angela McLaughlin went on career break. Angela was still helping from afar. As well as conducting, Triona Sweeney was also part of the organising team. Mary Armitage took charge of the raffle, which raised around 750 euro for the work of DMEP. She was helpful in many other ways, including superb home bakes!

Sean McCarron was a stage manager as well as conductor. Dr Martin Gormley of Donegal ETB was once again very supportive, above and beyond the call of duty! The volunteers during the afternoon and evening were invaluable, and included Deirdre O’Toole, Violet Buchanan, Junior Choir mums, Mary Kinsella and other ticket sellers, and – in the tidy-up at the end of the night – the Sharkeys from Falcarragh, some of the orchestra members and lots more. Mac’s Mac did the soup and sandwiches, with Eunan himself literally delivering the goods. Cafe Blend provided the warm fruit punch and the festival bites for the aftershow Christmas party. Niall Cranney was the technical guru in the theatre, and thanks too to the theatre staff on duty. Thanks to the bus drivers, who ferried young musicians and singers from far and wide. And, to anyone who hasn’t been mentioned but should have been, a particularly special thanks!

Happy Christmas and let’s create more musical highlights in 2016!

Check out our little video of the concert here.