David Downes (Irish composer) facts for kids

David Downes is a talented musician from Ireland. He is a composer, pianist, producer, and music director. He is famous for creating new music and for his work with well-known shows like Riverdance and the group Celtic Woman.

About David Downes's Music Career

David Downes was born in Dublin, Ireland. He studied music and composition at Trinity College, Dublin. He has played music in many famous places around the world. These include Boston Symphony Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Wembley Arena.

He has performed with famous musicians like James Galway and the group Boyzone. He has also worked with big orchestras. David has recorded music with artists such as Moya Brennan and Clannad. He helped arrange music for Riverdance on Broadway. He also worked on Secret Garden.

Working with Riverdance and Celtic Woman

David Downes became the Music Director for Riverdance. He worked on the Broadway show and the tours in America and Europe. Later, he and Sharon Browne started the music group 'Celtic Woman'. This group has toured all over the world. Their albums have sold millions of copies in places like the US, Australia, and Japan. They are very popular in Asia, Europe, and South America.

David has performed for important people. He was the musical director for Irish President Mary McAleese's special event in 2004. He has also played music for U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.

Recently, David wrote a new piece of music. It is for piano, cello, and spoken words. It is called there will be no silence.

Songs and Shows by David Downes

David Downes has written many original songs. He has also worked on music for TV, movies, and plays.

Original Songs for Celtic Woman

David has written many songs for Celtic Woman. Some of these songs include:

• The Soft Goodbye
• Send Me a Song
• One World
• The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun
• At the Céili
• Sing Out!
• Granuaile's Dance
• The Lost Rose Fantasia
• The Blessing
• The Call
• Green the Whole Year Round
• Walking The Night
• Tabhair Dom Do Lamh

He often works with lyricists like Caitríona Ní Dhúill and Brendan Graham.

Music for TV, Movies, and Theatre

David's music has been used in many shows. He worked on plays like The Hunt For Red Willie and The Shaughraun. He also helped with the Disney movie Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure. For this movie, he produced songs and arranged the choir music.

He has also worked on a drama called The Bloody Irish. This show is about the Easter Rising of 1916. Recently, he wrote music for a play called The Cordelia Dream. He also helped with the Riverdance: An Animated Adventure movie.

Working with Other Artists

In 2007, David worked with Hayley Westenra. She was a former member of Celtic Woman. He helped her record The Last Rose of Summer. This song was a duet with another Celtic Woman member, Méav Ní Mhaolchatha. David led the orchestra for the song. He has also worked with the singer Bryan Adams through his foundation.

Awards and Recognition

Celtic Woman albums have been very successful. They have received "platinum" awards in many countries. This means they have sold over a million copies. Their concert DVDs have sold even more, earning "multi-platinum" awards. They are especially popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

In 2010, David Downes was nominated for an Emmy Award. This award is for outstanding musical direction in a televised music event. Being nominated for an Emmy is a big honor. Other nominees that year included the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.