Following on from the success of its ten-day online course in August 2020 and the highly commended release of the Tchaikovsky Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture recording in November, the Ulster Youth Orchestra is thrilled to be able to share an uplifting arrangement of Brian Boru’s March to celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

In February 2021 UYO held a day of online rehearsals, talks and entertainment open to all the young players who had auditioned for places in the 2021 orchestra.  The day featured a host of highly experienced professional musicians who provided musical guidance, gave careers advice and shared practical recording tips for the new release. 

Brian Boru’s March was originally arranged for the Ulster Orchestra by local conductor/arranger and trombonist Steve Barnett and was ideal for the young orchestra to record separately at home on phones and tablets to be masterfully brought together by producer Tom Wall from TWPost. 

Paula Klein, UYO General Manager, said, “The absence of live music making has been tough for young people and creating a sense of ensemble in music is so important.  January and February were particularly hard months for everyone and to have something to work on and to look forward to was so beneficial.  We are very much looking forward to showing a different side to the orchestra with our St Patrick’s Day recording.”  

All of the young musicians’ recordings can be found on the Ulster Youth Orchestra’s YouTube channel, website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

The Ulster Youth Orchestra is indebted to its Principal Funder, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and to The Leche Trust, Belfast Cathedral Sit Out and The Rev W N Monteith Charitable Trust for their support.   

Special thanks to audio and visual producer Tom Wall for his dedication to the quality of the recording.