The Essential Advent Calendar: December 7 – The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) Releases Christmas Charity Single, ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ featuring Johnny Logan

The Irish Chamber Orchestra (ICO) has released a Christmas charity single, ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, a reimagined cover of Chris Rea’s 1987 iconic hit song. 

This new collaboration with three times Eurovision winner, Johnny Logan, and producer Jimmy Smyth will help raise vital funds for Parkinson’s Association of Ireland (PAI) while at the same time supporting the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s free education and social development projects, Sing Out With Strings and the Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra.

The charity single is available for purchase on www.irishchamberorchestra.com, as well as digital streaming services, and will raise vital funds to help people living with Parkinson’s Disease, and enable the ICO to continue its valuable work in Limerick city providing more than 300 children weekly with free music education through its Sing Out With Strings and Irish Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra initiatives.

The single was recorded at the ICO Studio on campus at University Of Limerick.  The music was directed by Katherine Hunka, arranged, and produced by Jimmy Smyth.  The artwork for the Driving Home for Christmas single has been designed and created by the distinguished artist Robert Ballagh.  This original artwork can be purchased via auction in due course.  There will also be a limited edition of 78 only Gicleé Prints available for sale on IOC’s Online Store.

The figure 78 represents the late Shay Healy’s age on his death from Parkinson’s and coincidentally, artist Robert Ballagh celebrates his 78th milestone this year. Both charities will benefit from these sales.

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