The North Wind Blows Project hit the right note with two celebratory musical concerts in Balor Theatre, Ballybofey, County Donegal and Alley Theatre, Strabane, County Tyrone at the weekend.

Funded by the International Fund for Ireland, the North Wind Blows Project is led by Donegal School of Music in partnership with St Josephs Brass Band, Glenties Brass Band, and Bready Ulster Scots Pipe Band. The Project aims to share musical traditions of the woodwind and percussion students in the Donegal School of Music and the three diverse bands in Donegal and Tyrone as a way of bringing people together on a cross-community and cross-border basis.

The two public concerts marked the culmination of the Project and provided an opportunity to showcase the work of all the participants from both north and south of the border. Funding was provided by the International Fund for Ireland (€94,080); County Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership (€19,000) and a community contribution of (€1,000).

Adrian Johnston, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland, said:
“Projects like this are at the heart of the Fund’s efforts to build a more shared and peaceful future for Northern Ireland and the southern border counties. Where in the past, music was representative of the differences between communities and often used as a tool to express division, North Wind Blows seeks to build on common ground between the participating bands and communities so they can share their love for music.

“This is a truly cross-community, cross-border and cross-generational initiative which fits in well with the Fund’s strategy of building a better and shared future for all. It is hoped that through their participation in the Project, band members will share their experiences with other members of their communities promoting a more mutually, inclusive and integrated society.”

The evening of entertainment included the world premiere of 2 new compositions by composers Neil Martin and Vincent Kennedy.  The audience also heard a number of arranged pieces (by arrangers Brendan Breslin and Stephen Cairns) that the band members worked on together and also individual performances from each of the participating brass and woodwind bands.

Rosa Flannery, North Wind Blows Project Co-ordinator said: “We are delighted with the results of the Project and it is a real pleasure to be able to see the results through these two wonderful concerts. All the participants have thoroughly enjoyed the Project and have gained so much from the experience. Both young and old have been brought together through this musical and cultural experience which has enabled them to learn about other communities as well as learning about themselves. We are now looking forward to developing more long term collaborative projects in the future.”

The Project is managed on behalf of the International Fund for Ireland by the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council. 

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