On this special Christmas Episode we welcome Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong, Director of the Defence Forces School of Music onto the show, and discuss the history of military music and the Defence Forces School of Music, as well as listen to some musical pieces specially chosen by Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong, blending some Irish military and festive favourites.

Track List

1. Love came down at Christmas – Words by Christina Rosetti/Music by Mark Armstrong.
2. The Wearing of the Green – arranged by Colonel Fritz Brase and recorded in 1930 at the Theatre Royal, Dublin.
3. The Curragh of Kildare – Irish March arranged by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Armstrong - (composed during his first posting in 1989 to Band of the Curragh Command).
4. Mise Éire - Seán Ó Riada
5. The Frost is All Over – composed by Colonel Fritz Brase and recorded by RTE Lyric in 2018.
6. Sleigh Ride – Leroy Anderson - recorded by the Army No. 1 Band in Arbour Hill Church, Dublin, in December 2020.

The Irish Defence Forces Podcast aims to provide interesting content on all aspects of the Irish military. It is a production of the Defence Forces Public Relations Branch. To all our listeners, have a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

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