Channel Island musicians record Christmas song at Abbey Road

Two Channel Island musicians behind a new Christmas single recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra are now inviting school choirs to add their voices to the festive track.

Christmas Dream—written by Jersey’s Adam Reece and Guernsey singer Emily Fern—was recorded in April at the legendary Abbey Road Studios with a 50-piece LSO. The track also features guest appearances from Bez of Happy Mondays on triangle and Orbital’s Phil Hartnoll on synth.

Reece said the song came together unexpectedly after a late-night writing session.

“We weren’t even trying to write a Christmas song,” he explained. “I played a few notes without thinking, and Emily immediately heard something festive in it. It grew from there in minutes—almost like it wrote itself.”

What began as a playful idea quickly escalated when the pair realised the song’s potential. A planned recording with a small brass group was swapped for a full orchestral session at Abbey Road’s iconic Studio Two.

Reece now hopes to bring island schoolchildren into the project by recording versions of the song with local choirs.

“We’d love schools to take part,” he said. “It’s a chance to celebrate Christmas together and show how much musical talent there is across the Channel Islands. And who knows—we’re hoping it might even become the next Christmas number one.”

Schools interested in joining the project can contact Adam at adamreecemusic@yahoo.com.