Music Unite: Bands March To The Beat Of Their Own Drum

A new report into the Music Unite project has shown how music can unify people, address alienation and challenge stereotypes.

The report by Professor John Brewer and Dr Francis Teeney from the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, (Queen's University Belfast) has been published by the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building (CDPB).

The report specifically examines the Music Unite pilot project developed by CDPB in partnership with Beyond Skin.

The project gave the Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and genres with musicians from other backgrounds and cultures, develop new skills and challenge stereotypes associated with the Loyalist bands.

Professor John Brewer said:
“Through the study we wanted to see if we could change perceptions of the Loyalist flute band culture by allowing the members of the Shankill Road Defenders the opportunity to meet other musicians, exchange musical ideas and genres and widen their musical horizons and repertoire.
“The study demonstrates that music is indeed a powerful way of drawing together people from diverse backgrounds. It is widely accepted that there is a growing sense of alienation amongst young working class Loyalist men and we are delighted to say that the project was warmly welcomed by all involved and especially SRD participants who do feel that their music and cultural expressions are greatly misunderstood.”

An event to showcase the Music Unite project will take place at the MAC Belfast on 30 March and will feature an eclectic mix of traditional flute band music fused with Colombian, Kurdish, Ghanaian, Sri Lankan and Irish sounds. There will be performances by Shankill Road Defenders, North Down Defenders and Ballykeel Loyal Sons of Ulster.

At the event, Beyond Skin will also showcase their two international flagship projects connected to Music Unite - WOMAD NI and Parallel Versing with special guests from Sri Lanka and Colombia in attendance.

Chief Executive of the Centre for Peace Building and Democracy, Eva Grosman said:
“We were keen to demonstrate the power of the arts in contributing towards peace-building in Northern Ireland. Following the success of the pilot project with The Shankill Road Defenders,  we are delighted to provide opportunities like this to many other bands with our partners Beyond Skin who have enabled us to collaborate with international musicians.
The project gives Loyalist band members an opportunity to interact with musicians from different cultures and celebrate their own identity whilst addressing some of the very negative stereotypes that exist around these bands.”

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Music Unite Media Contacts:
Arlene O’Connor, MCE Public Relations
T: 028 9026 7099 | Mobile: 07736 049 754 | Twitter:@arlenemcd27
Email: [email protected]

Chris Brown, MCE Public Relations  
DD: 028 90 267 098 | Mobile: 078 0197 3320 | Twitter:@CB_PRandPA
Email: [email protected]

Date and time: Wednesday 30th March, 7pm - 9pm
Venue: The MAC

#musicunite
@beyondskin @CDPB_NI @WOMADNI @Unite_NI

Please register getinvited.to/cdpb/musicunite

• The successful Music Unite pilot programme began in January 2015 with the Shankill Road Defenders (SRD) Flute Band. Since then it developed into a mainstream programme and work began with other flute bands across NI and internationally.

•  The support for various elements of the programme has come from the OFMDFM, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Arts Council NI, Community Relations Council, Belfast Harbour and IBIS Belfast Hotel.

• Professor Brewer and Dr Teeney from The Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, based at Queen's University Belfast evaluated the Music Unite pilot project. It can be downloaded at www.democracyandpeace.org/publications

• The Centre for Democracy and Peace Building, led by Chairman, John, Lord Alderdice, Directors, Jeffrey Donaldson MP, Liam Maskey, Chris Maccabe, Professor Deirdre Heenan and CEO Eva Grosman aims to rekindle momentum and a spirit of partnership in the shared project of building a new future for the next generation here in Northern Ireland and beyond. www.democracyandpreace.org

• Established in January 2004, Beyond Skin is an organisation which uses Music, Arts & Media to assist in the building & development of cultural relations in Northern Ireland, with the overall aim of addressing issues of racism & sectarianism.