Around the World with the Ulster Orchestra

Issue Date: 13th June 2008

Following the success of last year’s Music Around the World, an education project based on the theme of music from all over the world, the Ulster Orchestra has run the project again and has been out on the road conducting workshops for over 1,500 school children in the Southern Education & Library Board area.

The Ulster Orchestra and its award-winning education department travelled to Newry, Dungannon and Craigavon to host a series of concerts for local school children this week.  Ten workshops were held in each area to help enhance the children’s enjoyment of the performances.  During the workshops they had the opportunity to meet Ulster Orchestra musicians and learn about the Orchestra.  The children were also encouraged to explore their creativity by composing and performing their own musical pieces. 

Music Around the World is a fun-filled education project funded by the Southern Education & Library Board, Newry and Mourne District Council, Craigavon Arts in Motion, Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council and developed by the Ulster Orchestra’s Education Department. 

The project is aimed at introducing Key Stage 2 (8-11 year olds) children to the instruments of the Orchestra and has been designed to complement the Northern Ireland curriculum for music.

Craigavon education concert

Craigavon
Ricky Matson (Ulster Orchestra musician), Curtis Gibson (Moyallon Primary School), Brenda Connelly (SELB), Sandra Murphy (Craigavon Arts & Motion)

Dungannon education concert

Dungannon
Deputy Mayor of Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council Roger Burton, Richard Ashmore (Ulster Orchestra musician) Brenda Connelly (SELB), Fiona McCrory & Dominic Rush (St Marys Primary School)

Newry education concert

Newry
Patrick McCarthy (Ulster Orchestra musician), Connall Courtney & Chloe Mackrell (St Dallan’s Primary School, Warrenpoint)