The Ulster Orchestra has announced the release of its new recording, Our Songs, Our Place, which features nine songs by local songwriters developed through the Orchestra’s Your Song Now project.

With the live music industry in disarray due to Covid-19 restrictions, musicians have been forced to find new ways to express their creativity. Composer and arranger Paul Campbell approached the Ulster Orchetra in April 2020 with the idea for a project that sought to curate a musical response to the first COVID-19 lockdown. This became the Your Song Now Project, the catalyst for the album now released.

Speaking of this announcement, Paul Campbell said:

“In the midst of all that’s conspired to keep us apart for many months now, the music we make is a gift – inspiring us, providing us with deeper connections and closer community. Producing Our Songs Our Place, with such a wealth of local talent surrounded by the sublime sounds of the Ulster Orchestra, has been a truly overwhelming experience for me personally.”

Patrick McCarthy, the Ulster Orchestra’s Head of Concerts & Artistic Planning, said:

“Although we couldn’t play together for several months in 2020, it was a very creative time for the Ulster Orchestra. Your Song Now was a product of that time, and of an open call for anyone here to come and make something special with us.”

Our Songs, Our Place is available for purchase digitally from all major online retailers and in CD format from the following link at a cost of £10 plus package and postage.