Exciting new Youth Ensemble plan is all ready for take off
Pipe Bands by Mervyn McConnell
THE Ulster Youth Ensemble is a new venture incorporating piping, drumming and dancing in a cross-cultural context with cross border co-operation.
The Project is seeking to recruit pipers, drummers and dancers within the 12-21 years old group from rural areas, who have already achieved a fair degree of competence within their respective fields of expertise.
Prospective candidates for the Ensemble will be assessed in terms of their commitment to the Project and their ability to adapt to playing within a versatile repertoire which will go beyond the normal pipe band requirements.
This is a challenging project requiring imagination and vision. It is expected that the group will perform at prestigious events throughout Ireland and further afield.
For further information please contact the Director of the Northern Ireland Piping and Drumming School on 028 90485436.
Belvoir Drum Majors class has again resumed for the winter and are working hard in preparation for their annual display to be held on Friday 5th March.
It will take place in Belvoir Parish Church Hall at 8 pin and the special' guest for the evening will be John Noble, the present senior world champion drum major.
Lady Faulkner of Downpatrick will be presenting the drum majors with their certificates.
Then on Saturday 6th March John Noble will be taking a workshop for all drum majors and this will be held again in Belvoir Parish Church Hall from I to 4 pm.
All drum majors are invited to go along.
THURSDAY
The South Belfast Cultural Society will be running a Highland Dance class every Thursday in Donegall Road Methodist Church Hall from 2.30 to 4.30 under the direction of Tilllly Hay.
They also hope to organise another class every Friday in the same locality.
It is also hoped to develop a South Belfast school of dance which will include some classes in ballet, street jazz and of course Highland dancing.
The Ulster-Scots Dance Alliance, of which they are a member, through their teacher training programme funded by the Arts Council, have brought together twelve Highland dancers from across the province to from a dance team under the tuition of four times world champion highland dancer Gareth Michelson.
The team are looking for a name for this group which embodies the Ulster-Scots identity. Contact James Kee on 028 710841636:
On Saturday 28 February, the William Kerr Memorial Pipe Band from Tyrone will be promoting a workshop for pipers and drummers.
Robert Watt, for piping and Andrew Scullion for drumming will be the guest instructors.
These two men have a wealth of experience between them and valuable lessons are sure to be learnt from their expert tuition and advice.
The first Branch meeting of the New Year will take place on Saturday 31 January in the Bridge Community Centre, Lisburn commencing at 2 pm.
The book of Officials and programme of events for 2004 are now available. A great deal of work by Walter McKibben has been put into the production of these books, which are invaluable to every band member and piping enthusiast. Walter also has the new RSPBA ties and lapel badges for sale, and he can be contacted by telephone on 90-610198 or mobile number 07743 477488.
Ulster Star
23/01/2004
