Ulster Scots in Schools - Investing in the Future

Back in January 2008 I was persuaded by Mr. Michael McCullough from the Ulster Scots Agency to take part in a pilot fife and lambeg drum class at the Boy’s Model School in Belfast. I had been doing some voluntary work for Michael, working in mostly primary schools holding workshops on the fife and lambeg drum tradition throughout Ulster.

I gave a workshop to 3 x classes of year 8 + 9 boys at the school and then was overwhelmed with the number of students wanting to learn the fife and drum.

Now the fife and lambeg drum tradition had died out in Belfast, except for a couple of enthusiasts. – Now as we know, boy’s being boy’s - I spent a few weeks getting rid of the slackers, those wanting out of class, no music ability etc, eventually I had around 36 students attend 5 x drum classes and 1 fife class.

Part of the project along with the tuition was to equip the school with a drum and fifes – so invest in time and resources, as well as 3 x educational trips to drum maker, drum painter and fife maker! Well to cut a long story short I will single out one pupil for the benefit of this blog entry, there are quite a few of these students springing up all over Ulster as I visit schools but here is one example.

Here is a class of young students year 8 or 9 - starting their tuition.



Simon Menabney – When I began in the school Simon was just a boy with no knowledge of the fife and lambeg drum tradition. As the weeks and months passed Simon was very keen and showed signs of developing a great interest in the lambeg drum, not really interested in playing the fife though!




Simon developed great rhythmic skills very quickly and soon became one of my best students. As well as being taught in the Boys’ Model each Monday, Simon joined the newly formed Shankill drumming club, that had been formed in West Belfast Orange Hall ( I had taught some of the Shankill members at my drumming club) his interest developed further. Simon began to perform at school events and community based concerts and events also. Later in 2009 Simon began to Parade along with me on the ‘Twelfth Day’



This is a brief synopsis of the last 3 ½ years with Simon at the Boys’ Model School and how if you invest time, effort and equipment in young people, it can have a positive impact on their lives.

Simon, along with other exams, took his GCSE music practical in April, I played the fife and Simon played the Lambeg Drum both as a solo and to the accompaniment of the fife!



HMA

The Fife

Well, a note of caution to all you fifers and budding fifers out there - Don't leave one of your new fifes sitting about with a 6 year old boy and a dog, why? Well one throws the stick (my fife) the other runs after it and retrieves it!

Great wee game and a good way to have fun with the family pet - just not with a £70.00 fife!!!!



HMA

Lambeg Drum - A selection of Painted Shells 10

There are only a few of these 'Family Crested' drums around Ulster - these two as you can see are The Allen and Wilson Families respectfully, both immersed in the Lambeg Drumming Musicial Tradition.






HMA

Untapped Ulster Tourist’s

Thankfully someone somewhere, had the brains to start to exploit the rich Ulster Scots history that lies within the Ards and North Down Area.

I blogged recently regarding the Ulster Scots tourist trail information at Ards Tourist Centre, which I believe has moved to our neighbours at North Down Museum.

Yesterday, whilst visiting the Mount Stewart Garden and craft fair, looked around quite a number of stalls and exhibitors – Ards Borough Council had a tourist stall set up with complete with pop up stands and leaflets. I picked up these two booklets relating to Ulster Scots tourist trail, the lady working at the stall was not too chatty - but I did glean from her that the two booklets I had lifted had ‘been the most popular today’

So there you go, a keen interest from the National Trust type folk – Oh yes, I am a member!!

HMA

German Submarine - U19

In Ward Park Bangor, close to the Town's War Memorial, stands this lump of metal! Well, not any lump of metal of course - this is a deck gun taken from a German Submarine UB19 after the......... well you read for yourself!

This is Matthew, will he join the Navy in the years to come - hope not!

History is all around us.









HMA

WW I - John Condon - Singer Janet Dowd

I was asked to repost this beautiful song - John Condon.

The song pays tribute to the youngest soldier to die during WWI.



HMA

Gala Performance for The Ards - 2

A month or so ago, I blogged about a Gala Charity Performance of the Ards which was hosted by the Mayor of Ards Cllr Smyth. A number of local schools, a choir, and International Singers all from Newtownards, performed on stage at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, to raise money for a local charity – The Link.

Thanks to Mrs Ferris (Head of Music) at Movilla High School, who kindly gave me permission to show a few photographs of the boys on stage. They played very well - although extremely nervous!

Of the 7 students who performed, 5 of them initially attended an Ulster Scots Summer School I organise in Newtownards through Loughries Historical Society, a few years ago. They have gone on to join local flute and pipe bands and also play music at Movilla School.

As a tutor it was rewarding to see young people – who never get an opportunity to perform, being allowed to express their musical talents at a public performance, especially at a venue like the Ulster Hall in Belfast.













HMA