Ode to Joy – A Nation Performs, Sunday, 21 June at 6pm

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Ireland’s music organisations invite the nation to perform in a tribute to our frontline workers on European Music Day: Sunday, June 21, 2020.


As a tribute to Ireland’s frontline heroes, every adult and child in Ireland is invited to perform Ode to Joy (Óid don Lúcháire), the European Anthem, on their doorstep on Sunday June 21 2020, European Music Day.

To launch the tribute, some of Ireland’s finest musicians and singers will perform Ode to Joy in a variety of styles, streamed live from the steps of the National Concert Hall at 6pm.

Once this is finished, the nation’s musicians and music lovers will be called on to perform their own dedication to all our frontline workers within their local communities, while maintaining physical distancing. Participants are also asked to share their performance live on social media with the hashtag #OdeToJoyIE.

See www.odetojoy.ie for all details.

Here you will find:

  • The music sheets for your instrument, arranged by Shane Cavanagh, which you can download or view on your phone.
  • Videos of musicians performing on their individual instrument to help with your practice. Find your one and go for it!
  • The lyrics, which are specially composed for this project by Poetry Ireland Poet in Residence, Catherine Ann Cullen. There’s a video of Mairead Buicke performing it, to help you along.
  • And finally …. what to do ‘on the day’.

The important thing is … Come and play and help us say … “Thank you!” to our frontline workers.