Small City Becomes Huge...
The Music Promise sprinkles its magic dust... The Music Promise will be a key legacy of Derry~Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013. Imagine every child and young person having the opportunity to put music and creativity at the core of their lives. This is our Music Promise. To supercharge the next generation by making sure children and young people are at the heart of festivities with chances to perform at school, in our communities and on stage. We have conjured countless opportunities for them to play and sing whilst learning new skills through our four key programmes: Musical Pathways to Learning for our city’s 3 - 8 year olds; the creation of a bright, brand new musical by our city’s innovative special schools; and a series of celebratory concerts recognising our musical ambassadors - the exceptionally talented. Finally, within our communities, we are galvanizing our young people to engage in music making and discover their untapped talent. Our exciting community Music Promise initiative – SYNC (Stimulating Youth, Nurturing Creativity) – is being delivered in the heart of our communities. Hundreds of young people aged 11-18 will explore new experiences through music making, song writing and music technology. Watch out for the next generation of artists, performers, producers and promoters.
Derry~Londonderry is emerging as a hub of phenomenal musical activity and it will only get better as the year’s events unfold. Major events, like BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, will reflect The Music Promise. Our young people will build on their skills as creators and performers in a week-long range of activities at the Radio 1Xtra Academy. As part of our commitment to participation for all, An Cultúrlann is hosting a programme of masterclasses for young people, designed to develop traditional performance skills in the runup to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2013. The An Gaelaras programme will also play host to an interactive conference ‘Singing The Bridge’, delivered by Musicians Without Borders, focusing on music as a catalyst for healing. The remarkably talented pupils of Foyle View and Belmont Special Schools will stage a newly-composed musical, based on an original idea by Richard Stilgoe, with music written by the acclaimed Belfast-born composer and director Conor Mitchell. Inspired by Irish myth and legend, ‘Lenanshee’ will be a world class showcase event in our Music Promise calendar. The initiative will bring great thinkers together to explore Music, Technology and Disability at a
ground-breaking international conference at the University of Ulster, Magee. Our Make a Promise campaign guarantees that our young people will learn and perform with international visiting artists. We are thrilled to be partnering with Neil Cowley, the PRS for Music Foundation Musician in Residence, for City of Culture 2013. As our Music Promise wizard, his distinct style of creating music and fantasia will delight all ages, producing unique music memories and experiences. Our Music Promise highlights are sure to amaze and move audiences at home and abroad. Summer brings the 200-strong National Youth Orchestra and Choir to collaborate with our very own local talent. While in the autumn, the roof will be raised by the sweet sound of internationally acclaimed young choirs performing in the inaugural City of Derry Choral Festival. This will include a specially commissioned piece by Latvian composer, Erics Esenvalds, narrated by Grammy award winner, Imogen Heap. The Music Promise thanks all of our partners for helping our children and young people to live their dreams.
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