Titanic Music Workshop For Ballymena Pupils

A construction business anchored its centenary celebrations to the story of a famous ship.

Ballymena-based firm Patton hosted a creative music initiative for primary school pupils – based on music with connections to Titanic.

The P7s from Braidside integrated primary school worked with musicians from the Ulster Orchestra on music with maritime and Titanic connections, from The Sailor’s Hornpipe to Nearer My God To Thee.

Violinists Danny McCann-Williams and Thomas Jackson led an interactive music workshop in the school and the P7 pupils traveled to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, where as well as touring the TITANICa exhibit (recently fitted out by Patton) they had an hour-long music workshop with Mr McCann-Williams, Mr Jackson and other Ulster Orchestra musicians.

Alan Stewart of Patton said the company's partnership with the Ulster Orchestra was part of its corporate social responsibility strategy.

He said the partnership "encourages the support of key organisations across a range of activities, such as arts, charity and sports."

He said: "Having a close association with a leading arts provider also has a positive impact on our employees and creates a sense of pride and achievement internally."

Tracy Marshall of the Ulster Orchestra said: "Our longstanding partnership with Patton has allowed us to facilitate creative initiatives that offer the Orchestra the opportunity to engage new audiences, to support music learning across the province and to inspire the next generation of musicians."

The project was funded by the Arts & Business Northern Ireland Investment Programme.

(NE/GK)