There is something inherently poignant about choral singing at Christmas. It is the soundtrack for the seasons in cities, towns and villages around not only Ireland but the whole world.

The RTE lyric fm Choirs for Christmas Competition was set up to celebrate the wealth of community music making that occurs around the country at this time of year. A selection of choirs who reached the competition finals were offered the opportunity to record their favourite festive choral works with the RTE Concert Orchestra under the baton of David Brophy.

Now, the 'Choirs for Christmas' CD - with twenty one of your favourite carols sung by Irish choirs - has been released. This inspirational CD is a must for Christmas stockings of all ages.

Track Listing:
1. Once in Royal David’s City
C F Alexander / H J Gauntlett arr. D Wilcocks
The Trinity Singers, director Roisin Blunnie
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

2. See, amid the Winter’s Snow
E Caswall / J Goss arr. D Wilcocks
Carrickfergus Grammar School, director Edward Craig
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

3. White Christmas
I Berlin arr. H McCarthy
Sacred Heart School Tullamore, director Regina McCarthy
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

4. Jingle Bells
J L Pierpont  arr. B Perry
New Dublin Voices, director Bernie Sherlock

5. Away in a Manger
Traditional arr. D Wilcocks
St Joseph’s Primary School Tipperary, director Helen Colbert
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

6. Do you hear what I hear?
N Regney / G Shayne
Musical Suspects, director Bernie Sherlock
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

7. Candlelight Carol
J Rutter
RTÉ Cor na nÓg, director Mary Amond O’Brien
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

8. Stille Nacht
J Mohr / F.X Gruber arr. J Rutter
New Dublin Voices, director Bernie Sherlock
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

9. In the Bleak mid-Winter
C Rosetti / G Holst arr. D Wilcocks
The Trinity Singers, director Roisin Blunnie
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

10. Tomorrow shall be my dancing day
Traditional arr. J Gardner
Carrickfergus Grammar School, director Edward Craig
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

11. We Three Kings
J H Hopkins
New Dublin Voices, director Bernie Sherlock

12. Caribbean Christmas Holiday
K Shaw
Cantette Limerick, director Maire Keary Scanlon
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

13. Jingle Bell Swing
J L Pierpont arr. D.J Elliott
Sacred Heart School Tullamore, director Regina McCarthy
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

14. 12 Days of Christmas
Traditional arr. R Smith
Musical Suspects, director Bernie Sherlock

15. Christmas Day
E Agnew / G Fitzmaurice
RTÉ Cor na nÓg, director Mary Amond O’Brien
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

16. The Holly and the Ivy
Traditional arr. J Gardner
Carrickfergus Grammar School, director Edward Craig
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

17. Ding Dong Merrily on High
G R Woodward arr. D Wilcocks
New Dublin Voices, director Bernie Sherlock
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

18. Still, Still, Still
G Götsch arr. P Ledger
Carrickfergus Grammar School, director Edward Craig
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

19. Wexford Carol
Traditional arr. F O’Carroll
The Trinity Singers, director Roisin Blunnie with soloist Robert Blake
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

20. Star Carol
J Rutter
RTÉ Cor na nÓg, director Mary Amond O’Brien
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy

21. Curoo Curoo
E Agnew
New Dublin Voices, director Bernie Sherlock
RTÉ Concert Orchestra / David Brophy