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OCN Awards Parliament Buildings, Stormont

28 June 2018

Presentation of Open College Network (OCN) Certificates

 

On Thursday 21 June 2018, children throughout counties Antrim, Down, Tyrone, Armagh Fermanagh, Londonderry and Donegal arrived at Parliament Buildings, Stormont for the presentation of Open College Network (OCN) certificates in Highland Bagpiping and Snare Drumming.

The Ulster-Scots Agency has a keen interest in promoting Ulster-Scots musical traditions, particularly amongst children. The Bagpipe and snare drum, instruments very much associated with Ulster-Scots heritage and culture have proved popular amongst students in the primary and post-primary sectors.

The pupils worked very hard throughout the course which blended theory and practice and, as a result, a significant number of children from; Ballynahinch High, Drumlins IPS, Portadown IPS, Spa PS, Scarva PS, Dromore HS, Fairhill PS, Moyle National School, Omagh High School, Raphoe Central, Aughnacloy Primary, Devenish Collage, Fivemiletown Primary, McClintock PS, Seskinore Ballytrea PS, Cookstown (Juv Band), Stewartstown PS, Magherfelt PS, Omagh PS, Portadown IPS, Convoy Joint NS, Gillygooley PS, Dromore High, Cooley PS, Omagh Academy, Orritor PS, Campbell College, Newmills Primary, Ballynahinch PS, RSPBANI Banbridge, Newtownstewart PS, Cookstown Primary, Deele College, RSPBANI Enniskillen, Royal School Dungannon, Saintfield High School, Moneymore PS,Coagh PS, Newmills PS, Magherfelt PS, Orritor Primary, Cookstown High, Newmills PS, Stewartstown PS, and Moyle National School passed and qualified for the OCN in Piping and Drumming (Foundation)..

The presentation in Parliament Buildings, Stormont was a great success with children and parents attending the event which was hosted by Michelle McIlveen MLA who presented the certificates to the graduates.

The event was also enthusiastically supported by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association Northern Ireland Branch (RSPANI). Visitors were treated to demonstrations in Highland Bagpiping and Snare drumming before and after the presentation.

Joining the Ulster Scots Flagship Programme is completely free. By registering to participate schools commit themselves to an eighteen month programme of work which, on completion, will lead to the award of Ulster-Scots Flagship School status. During this process, participating schools will be supported by staff from the Ulster-Scots Agency and other specialist tutors.

Schools can express their interest in the Flagship Scheme through the Agency’s website www.ulsterscotsagency.com

For further information, contact Gary Blair at the Ulster-Scots Agency on 028 9023 1113 or email gblair@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk