Album Spotlight: A Whistle Wonderland by Cedar Dobson

‘A Whistle Wonderland: Christmas Melodies in a Celtic Style’ by Cedar Dobson, offers a refreshing Celtic take on some of the most popular Christmas tunes. This spotlight will break down what makes the album a must-listen for Celtic music enthusiasts every holiday season.

Tracks include:

• Hark the Herald Angels Sing/Pat a Pan/Deck the Halls/Ding Dong Merrily on High
• Carol of the Bells
• Silent Night
• Good Christian Men Rejoice/God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/Joy to the World
• Oh Holy Night
• Wexford Carol
• I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing/Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella/On Christmas Night/I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing
• I'll Be Home for Christmas
• Up on the Housetop/Sleigh Ride/Christmas Eve
• We Wish You a Merry Christmas/Trepak (The Nutcracker)/Jingle Bells/Auld Lang Syne

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Below are two sample tracks from Cedar Dobson's  'A Whistle Wonderland' album. Click play to listen:‍

There's a lot to share about Cedar Dobson as an artist and her music. Learn more through the segments below, where we share insights from our interview with Cedar Dobson herself about making her album!

Album Overview

‘A Whistle Wonderland: Christmas Melodies in a Celtic Style’ by Cedar Dobson presents beloved Christmas tunes with a fresh Celtic twist. By incorporating both traditional and contemporary Irish styles, the album gives familiar holiday tunes new life. The combination of high-energy and reflective pieces captures the varied emotions of the season.

The album features different Irish traditional instruments including the tin whistle, bodhrán, guitar, and bouzouki. Some tracks are grouped together in lively sets, while others stand alone to highlight their beauty and depth. The mix of traditional Celtic influences and contemporary arrangements brings a traditional music feel to classics like "Silent Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen."

Creating an album like ‘A Whistle Wonderland’ involved overcoming challenges and arranging the music in creative ways. The result is a collection that feels both familiar and new. This album aims to enhance the listener's Christmas experience, whether through enjoying music at a holiday gathering or encouraging a spontaneous dance. The goal is for the music to add to the Christmas spirit and bring an Irish touch to the warmth of the holiday season.


Click here for more information on getting full access to the entire album. You will be directed to its main page in Bandcamp.
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Combining Genres

Cedar enjoys the challenge of merging traditional Irish music with other genres. Her approach to making albums includes pushing musical boundaries and using the ornamentation and musical language of Irish Traditional music in modern contexts. She studies the ornamentation, phrasing, and musical elements of other genres she wishes to combine, aiming for a balanced fusion, though it isn’t always a strict 50/50 mix.

In her Christmas album, Cedar avoids typical holiday sounds like jingle bells or reindeer references, creating a contemporary Irish traditional music album without overt Christmas elements. Each track is arranged like Irish tunes, avoiding cliché holiday motifs. Despite some quality Celtic Christmas albums available, she felt compelled to add this album to the mix, offering a fresh approach to the genre.

Cedar’s band, Tradify, exemplifies this fusion. The term "Tradify," which Cedar coined, describes the process of making modern songs sound like Irish Traditional music. Tradify has reimagined popular songs like "Billie Jean" and "Hey Jude" blending traditional Irish music with contemporary hits. Despite being an instrumental band, Tradify has successfully encouraged audience participation and sing-alongs to bridge the gap between traditional Irish music and modern songs.

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‍A Love Letter to Christmas Melodies

Cedar's 'A Whistle Wonderland' album is a heartfelt love letter to the holiday tunes that have influenced her life. Growing up, she was surrounded by an endless array of Christmas music, filling a 51-CD player with various genres, from jazz to orchestral. This album, purely instrumental, highlights the beauty of the melodies themselves. Cedar's deep connection to both Irish traditional music and Christmas tunes is evident in the sets on the album, which she carefully selected and arranged.

The track in the album that sticks out to Cedar is the "Wexford Carol." For her, this piece is not just a beautiful melody; it was a revelation to her that the tune had Irish origins, explaining why it resonated so deeply with her.

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Below is a sample track of the Wexford Carol from Cedar Dobson's  'A Whistle Wonderland' album. Click play to listen:

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‍Cedar Dobson's Musical Journey‍

Cedar Dobson's love for music began at the age of 7, with the Native American Flutes her father had bought even before she was born. This became her first wind instrument. Alongside the flute, she learned to play the piano and percussion instruments.

Celtic music came into her life through a collection of world music albums her parents collected through the years. They feature artists from different backgrounds which included Celtic tracks that caught her attention including the Putemayo Albums which she still listens to today.

At the age of 11, Cedar experienced a pivotal moment when she purchased a woodwind instrument during a school field trip. This purchase sparked her interest in the tin whistle. Although her practice lapsed for a while, her passion for playing the tin whistle was reignited when she heard the soundtrack of the Lord of the Rings. Inspired, she bought two new whistles and began practicing consistently.
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Cedar taught herself Irish tunes, frequently playing favorites at family and friends' gatherings. Her self-taught skills continued to develop until she attended the Lark in the Morning World Music Camp in 2016. There she met David Brewer, an Irish and Scottish musician based in Santa Cruz, California who significantly advanced her understanding and technique. Under his guidance, Cedar's proficiency improved, and she continued to study with him for several years.
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Cedar's playing style is shaped by numerous whistle and flute players, such as Brian Finnegan, Joanie Madden, and Kevin Crawford. She also draws inspiration from artists like Martin Hayes and Cormac Begley, and bands including The Chieftains, Lúnasa, and Dervish. She feels that her exposure to these musicians has influenced her playing style, integrating elements from each.

By learning from accomplished musicians, listening to different styles of music, and collaborating with other Celtic music artists, Cedar has developed her unique musical voice.

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Future Plans

Cedar looks forward to her upcoming performances and is thrilled about opportunities to engage with her local community, with some performances planned to also stream online. In addition to these events, Cedar is eager to work on new projects in the coming year. Collaborating with more musicians and performing around Ireland, much like her experiences with Tradify, are high on her list of goals.

She is enthusiastic about attending more sessions and events to share her music and connect with fellow musicians. Being in Ireland is especially meaningful for her due to its tradition in Irish music. Cedar feels fortunate to have access to some of the finest musicians, who contribute their talents to her projects. She remains committed to seizing performances and expanding her musical reach. Cedar’s appreciation for the Irish music scene continues to fuel her passion, driving her to keep evolving as an artist while staying true to her roots.

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To recap, ‘A Whistle Wonderland: Christmas Melodies in a Celtic Style’ by Cedar Dobson blends Irish traditional music with holiday classics. This album offers a new perspective on familiar Christmas tunes using instruments like the tin whistle, bodhrán, guitar, and bouzouki. These arrangements refresh well-known melodies, adding an Irish twist without leaning on common holiday motifs.

Cedar Dobson's musical path shows her passion and dedication to her craft. Starting with her early interest in wind instruments, through self-teaching and expert guidance, she has steadily honed her skills. Her experience and collaborations have shaped her approach, making her a recognized name in Celtic music.

Looking forward, Cedar is eager to continue performing and collaborating with other musicians. Her planned performances, both live and online, aim to broaden her audience and deepen connections with listeners. Cedar's future projects align with her commitment to the roots of Irish music, ensuring that her work continues to grow and evolve while respecting tradition.

‘A Whistle Wonderland’ exemplifies Cedar’s talent and her ability to bring an Irish touch to well-loved Christmas tunes. This album introduces listeners to a fresh, yet familiar, holiday music experience that is both enjoyable and heartfelt.


Click here for more information on getting full access to ‘A Whistle Wonderland: Christmas Melodies in a Celtic Style’ by Cedar Dobson. You will be directed to the album page in Bandcamp.