Composers to work with Londonderry marching bands

RENOWNED composers Sid Peacock and Brian Irvine will work with local marching bands to compose new music for performance as part of the Londonderry City of Culture celebrations.

The innovative programme, funded by the Arts Council Small Grants, involves 120 band members of five bands from the Victoria, Diamond, Caw, Claudy, Ebrington, Newbuildings and Eglinton wards.

John Taylor from Pride of Orange and Blue Flute Band said: “The band members are really interested in working with established, respected composers like Brian and Sid.

“It is fantastic to have two such wonderful composers working with us to develop our style of playing and music. The result will be a new appreciation of band music and increased skills and confidence of our members.”

Paula McHugh from Moving on Music said: “Through this project, Moving on Music hopes to inspire musicians from marching bands, to explore and develop their music making through the creation of new work led by composers Brian Irvine and Sid Peacock.

“There is an energy and excitement on the part of both participants and project leaders about the performance in June.”

Edel Murphy, Small Grants Programme Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “The musical skills of five marching bands and two of Northern Ireland’s most reputable composers, Sid Peacock and Brian Irvine, make this a very unique programme.

“The musical skills of five established local marching bands will be harnessed in the creation of two brand new pieces of music and the promise of a spectacle showcase as part of the City of Culture celebrations.”

The performance will take place on June 21, 2013 as part of UK City of Culture’s ‘Music City’ which will see an impressive number of outdoor musical performances across the city.

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