Choir 21 Sings Young at Heart for Down's Syndrome Day

Author: Down's Syndrome Scotland
Published: 4 Feb 2026 - Updated: 11 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This article highlights a meaningful musical collaboration where Down's Syndrome Scotland's Choir 21 teams up with Ken McCluskey and Douglas MacIntyre from The Bluebells to release their rendition of the hit Young at Heart on Last Night from Glasgow, timed to celebrate World Down's Syndrome Day on March 21st, 2026. The Makaton signing choir, founded by Down's Syndrome Scotland's ABC Lead Katy Lironi, has evolved from its show-stealing debut at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall in 2018 into a thriving weekly online community that brings together members aged 12 and older for singing, signing, and socializing. Recent performance highlights include appearances at the Paisley Book Festival, RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, and the Scottish Parliament's Festival of Politics, demonstrating how accessible music programs can create genuine opportunities for social connection and public engagement. All proceeds from the single support Down's Syndrome Scotland's comprehensive programs, including communication support for 150 individuals across Scotland, social wellbeing groups that combat isolation, and family support services that assist parents from pregnancy onward - resources particularly valuable for families navigating the additional support needs that often accompany Down's syndrome.*

At a Glance

1 - Choir 21 debuted at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall in 2018 during Sandfest's 10th anniversary. BBC Radio Scotland DJ Billy Sloan said the choir stole the show from a lineup of established Scottish acts.
2 - The choir performed on the Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London in May 2025. There they drew the attention of celebrities Bill Bailey and Mel Giedroyc.
3 - Founder Katy Lironi and Douglas MacIntyre are parents to Matilda, a 22-year-old who loves to sing and perform. Katy's musical memoir about life with her daughter, Matilda in the Middle, was published in 2024.
4 - After its 2018 debut, the choir reformed as an online group during the first 2020 lockdown and has met weekly ever since. Two choirs of members aged 12 and older meet to sing, sign, write songs, and socialize together.

Topic Definition

Choir 21: Choir 21 is a Makaton signing choir run by Down's Syndrome Scotland for people with Down's syndrome aged 12 and older. Founded in 2018 by the charity's ABC Lead and Makaton Tutor Katy Lironi, the group takes its name from chromosome 21, the third copy of which causes Down's syndrome. Members meet weekly online across two choirs to sing, sign, write original songs, and perform, combining musical expression with the Makaton language program that uses signs and symbols to support communication. Beyond rehearsals, the choir functions as a social community that helps reduce isolation, and it has performed at venues ranging from Glasgow concert halls to the Scottish Parliament, raising both funds and public awareness of what it means to live with Down's syndrome in Scotland.

Overview

Down's Syndrome Scotland's Choir 21 in collaboration with Ken McCluskey and Douglas MacIntyre (The Bluebells) release their version of number one hit single, Young at Heart, on Last Night from Glasgow to celebrate World Down's Syndrome Day - 21st March 2026 to raise awareness and funds.

Choir 21 is a Makaton signing choir conceived by Down's Syndrome Scotland's ABC Lead and Makaton Tutor, Katy Lironi.

Choir 21 first attracted public attention with their inaugural performance at the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow in 2018 as part of Sandfest's 10th anniversary celebrations which helped raise funds for the World Down's Syndrome Congress being hosted by Down's Syndrome Scotland that year. Choir 21 opened the night and despite having a stellar line up - including Clare Grogan from Altered Images, Justin Currie from del Amitri, The Bluebells, James Grant from Love and Money and Skin from Hipsway - BBC Radio Scotland DJ Billy Sloan, stated that Choir 21 stole the show.

Sandfest is a fundraising concert organised by Katy and Douglas to celebrate World Down's Syndrome Day which falls on 21st March each year. The date denotes the third copy of chromosome 21 which causes Down's syndrome. Katy and Douglas are also parents to Matilda, a 22-year-old young woman with Down's syndrome who loves to sing and perform.

After their 2018 debut the choir regrouped, materialising as an online choir during the first lockdown of 2020. Choir 21 has continued weekly since then, with two choirs made up of Down's Syndrome Scotland members aged 12+ meeting weekly online to sing, sign, socialise, write songs and perform together.

In 2022 Choir 21 reprised their Sandfest performance, this time taking to the stage backed by their patrons, the Bluebells, at the Strathaven Hotel in South Lanarkshire. That performance has led to a steady stream of performance opportunities which culminated in 2025 with a few highlights:

March saw the choir perform as part of the Paisley Book Festival in support of Katy's musical memoir about life with her daughter Matilda, titled 'Matilda in the Middle', published by Into Creative in 2024.
In May the choir travelled to London to perform on the Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. They were accompanied by Ken, Douglas and Clare Grogan and caught the eye and heart of celebrities like Bill Bailey and Mel Giedroyc who were lured onto our garden by the star quality of the amazing Choir 21!
In August the choir performed for the second year running at The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood as part of the Festival of Politics, bringing joy and a truly inclusive performance to the heart of Scottish government.

This group photograph captures Choir 21 members and their musical collaborators posed together in a performance venue or event space, with framed artwork visible on the walls behind them and stage lighting fixtures mounted above. The choir members, predominantly young people and adults wearing matching black t-shirts featuring a colorful logo design, are arranged in two rows with some standing and others kneeling in front. Two musicians holding guitars flank the group on either side while the choir members display a range of joyful expressions, with several making peace signs or waving at the camera. The unified attire and relaxed, celebratory poses convey the camaraderie and performance-ready spirit of this Makaton signing choir, capturing a moment either before or after one of their public appearances that have taken them from Glasgow concert halls to the Scottish Parliament and beyond.

Choir 21 is forever growing, evolving and looking for new ways to spread joy while raising awareness of what it means to live with Down's syndrome in Scotland today. All proceeds from the sale of Young at Heart by Choir 21 will go directly to Down's Syndrome Scotland to allow them to continue supporting people with Down's syndrome and their families across Scotland at every age and stage of life and enable them to benefit from a wide range of programmes and support which include:

Choir 21 - weekly Makaton choirs for people with Down's syndrome aged 12+
Achieving Better Communication ABC Programme - online and face-face weekly communication groups for people of all ages with Down's syndrome - currently supporting 150 babies, children and adults throughout Scotland - donations from this single could help us reach even more.
TeenZ Space and FriendZ Space Social Health & Wellbeing Programmes - online and face-face social groups for teenagers and adults with Down's syndrome and FriendZ Meetups - a social community programme all helping to reduce loneliness and isolation and support connectedness and friendships.
Family Support Service - supporting families from pregnancy throughout parenthood, at every age and stage of life - donations from the sale of this single would help us provide more baby welcome baskets for new parents, more support and training and resources for families and professionals to increase knowledge, tackle misconceptions and spread greater awareness.
Supporting our local branches to ensure that access to information and support is available wherever you live in Scotland.

Please help us ensure that every person with Down's syndrome can achieve their fullest potential and live in a society in which they are fully valued and included without stigma or discrimination.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

What is World Down's Syndrome Day

World Down's Syndrome Day is observed every year on 21 March. The date reflects the third copy of chromosome 21 that causes Down's syndrome.

What is Makaton and how does the choir use it

Makaton is a language program that uses signs and symbols alongside speech to support communication. Choir 21 signs its songs with Makaton so performances are inclusive and accessible.

Where can I buy the Young at Heart single by Choir 21

The single is released on the Last Night from Glasgow label. It can be purchased through that label and the usual music retail and streaming outlets.

Who originally recorded Young at Heart

Young at Heart was a number one hit for The Bluebells, the Scottish band featuring Ken McCluskey and Douglas MacIntyre. Both musicians collaborate with Choir 21 on this new version.

How can someone join Choir 21

Choir 21 is open to Down's Syndrome Scotland members aged 12 and older. Interested people can contact Down's Syndrome Scotland directly to learn about joining the weekly online sessions.

What is Sandfest

Sandfest is a fundraising concert organized by Katy Lironi and Douglas MacIntyre to mark World Down's Syndrome Day. It brings together Scottish musicians to raise funds and awareness.

What programs do proceeds from the single support

Proceeds fund Down's Syndrome Scotland services including communication groups, social wellbeing programs, and family support. These help people with Down's syndrome and their families at every stage of life.

How does the choir help reduce social isolation

Weekly rehearsals double as a social community where members build friendships and connection. This helps counter the loneliness and isolation that can affect people with Down's syndrome.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Music's capacity to build bridges becomes tangible when you watch Choir 21 take the stage - not as a charitable gesture or awareness exercise, but as legitimate performers whose Makaton-signed renditions resonate with audiences precisely because they're executed with skill, joy, and authenticity. What began as a one-night fundraiser in 2018 has matured into a sustainable model where weekly rehearsals double as social infrastructure, combating the isolation that disproportionately affects people with Down's syndrome while simultaneously creating a pipeline of confident performers ready for Scotland's most prestigious stages. The real story here isn't just about a cover single raising funds; it's about how consistent, accessible creative programming can reshape both individual lives and public perception when given the resources and respect to flourish.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Down's Syndrome Scotland and published on 4 Feb 2026, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.