Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra Association Youth Project

The Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra Association has received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with partnership funding from the Ulster-Scots Agency to assist a programme of concerts and workshops for young people and to establish a Youth Folk Orchestra.

 

      Workshops offered to schools and youth groups will involve three or four members of the Ulster Scots Folk Orchestra and will have an approximate duration of one and a half hours.

The presentation will include a demonstration of instruments (fiddles and other stringed instruments, accordion, various flutes, bagpipes, scottish smallpipes and various drums/percussion instruments), singing styles, recitation and discussion of the origins and distinctiveness of music/songs.

 

 

      Large concerts involve a performance by at least five members of the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra and are suitable for primary schools or high schools.

 

 

      Structured stage show by Nae Goat's Toe of the history of Ulster-Scots told through narration and music, suitable for High Schools, Colleges and Youth groups.

 

      The Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra is actively seeking talented young musicians between the ages of 12 and 22 years of age. We are particularly interested in fiddle players but can accommodate other musicians as well. In the first year of funding programme we have trained a large number of young people in our repertoire and style of performance. A few of these young people now regularly perform with the full orchestra.

This programme has been generously funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Ulster-Scots Agency

Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra at Drumragh Integrated College

Drumragh Integrated College recently hosted an Ulster-Scots event in an effort to promote cultural understanding and identity. Year 8 students at Drumragh were involved in a programme facilitated by the Curriculum Development Officers from Ulster-Scots.  The aim of the programme was to promote an understanding of the cultural identity of Ulster-Scots.

The enthusiastic participants were involved in many activities exploring language and culture.  In the afternoon, students enjoyed a music workshop hosted by Willie Drennan and members of the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra. 

Students thoroughly enjoyed the activities and it is hoped that the programme will be extended next year to investigate another aspect of cultural identity.

 

 

Photo

Back row L-R

Dr Linda Hagan (Ulster-Scots Curriculum Development Officer), Kerrie Johnson, Davy Sloan, Willie Drennan and Ian Burrows from the Ulster-Scots Folk Orchestra, Sinead Shiels,

Mrs Jackie Reid (Ulster-Scots Curriculum Development Officer)

 

Kneeling

Paulette Gallagher (Drumragh College), Brian McConnell

'The Younger Yins'

'The Younger Yins' recently made their debut performance at the Caincastle Ulster-Scots Folk Festival. Eleven members took to the stage and gave a very impressive performance to a packed audience.

Emma, Diane and Kerry, members of 'The Younger Yins' Folk Group