Music 55-7

Well, what do we think? Can Derry really be the UK City of Culture for 2013? Its been a very interesting past few months with cultural and creative links between Derry and London growing at a pace; a movement to expunge the name of London from the official city name of Londonderry (which of course threatens the positive links already made); a significant move to bring the city together under one shared vision; and the launch of the city’s bid to be the UK’s first City of Culture in 2013 which happily coincides with the 400th anniversary of the city’s link with the square mile. Derry/Londonderry is nothing if not contradictory.

At Music55-7 we have a strong desire to contribute to growing Derry/Londonderry’s reputation as a cultural place. We have been fortunate enough to be involved in many of the developments mentioned above and believe that the talent and drive already exists in the city to make this all happen. But for us it’s always a question of what is the next step. What action can we take now to help Derry earn the right to be called UK City of Culture 2013?

Apart from continuing to build our links with London institutions such as the Guildhall School of Music Connect Programme and the City of London Festival and putting on world class musical events we believe the single most important action from Music55-7, as a member of the local cultural community, is to participate fully in the formation of the proposed Cultural Partnership Forum.

Before we disappear down a narrow pathway of bureaucrat-speak the Cultural Partnership Forum is an initiative led by Derry City Council which will formalise the local cultural network and get us all working closer together. Amazing! Radical! What an innovation I hear you say. Ok, its none of those - but it feels like it from our perspective given the lack of coordination over the years.

The kind of change that Derry is seeking requires genuine collective effort. It is the quality of our teamwork that matters now. There is a great saying in chamber music, an artform which requires a very high level of teamwork, which goes… “It’s more important to be together than to be right”

As Team Derry goes for the prize in 2013 maybe we can remember that or at the very least we can all play more chamber music? However the UK City of Culture bid turns out, win or lose, change is needed. There needs to be something more in the Derry air than second-city sour grapes. After all are we not Northern Ireland’s number one cultural city?

For more details on Music55-7’s programme visit http://www.music55-7.com

What an enjoyable weekend of music we had in Foyleside Shopping Centre, Derry over the 4th of July. It was the first outing for our colourful new pop-up stands and we hope the word got out about Music55-7 and what we do. Feedback from audiences and centre management was great and we have to thank everyone at Foyleside for hosting us so well. I know though, that in the food quarter we were too loud for the pizza company who had difficulty hearing their customers. Its not often we get in the way of pepperoni or a side of garlic bread but if feels good to be a bit on the edge.

Holidays beckon for us now but there is plenty going on and lots to look forward to so here’s a snapshot. 

City Of Song Festival 2009 line up announced

Newly reformed D:Ream of “Things Can Only Get Better” fame and Tenebrae choir will be headlining, the Tennent’s Trail is back which will feature acts such as Kitty and the Can Openers, Johnny Black, Gentry Morris and Rachael Austin to name but a few. There will be Celtic Song, Indian fusion and a world premier called The River Sings which creates new music from the ebb and flow of the River Foyle. Join us too for songwriting workshops and our very own Festival Chorus. Artists confirmed to date available on http://www.myspace.com/music557

Apple Hill Applications open

The Apple Hill String Quartet annual workshop takes place on 18-20 of December in the picturesque Gartan Centre, Co. Donegal where musicians can relax in lakeside surroundings and enjoy working with world class performers.
For more details and to apply visit http://www.music55-7.com/learning/apple-hill

The City of Derry Guitar Festival celebrates Tarrega, Rodrigo and Albeniz

A special one day event on Saturday 22 August 2009 featuring Carlos Bonell, Sean Woods and Graham Wade.
View Carlos Bonell’s festival trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXgU9bAAiu8
For bookings contact Sean Woods on 0044 (0)28 7131 1288 or 0044 (0)7871830733

Music55-7 Sunday’s at the Beech Hill continues

Sunday 26th July
Beech Hill Hotel 12-30-2.30pm
Sunday lunch accompanied by Michael Watters guitar
For bookings contact the Beech Hill on 0044 (0)28 7134 9279

As we are lapping up the sun in various locations (most likely away from our home in Derry) there is a season of concerts coming together that we are really excited about. Can’t give it all away yet but looking forward to hosting Tasmin Little, Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain and Barry Douglas.....enjoy your Summer…