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What Have the Ulster Scots Ever Done for... Music?

Jane Rea and Jennie Browne investigate what Ulster-Scots have done for music.

How exactly have Ulster-Scots figures, their language and culture influenced so much of what we in Northern Ireland and beyond know and appreciate? Jennie Browne and Jane Rea are going to find out – on this episode focusing on what they’ve done for… music!
Jane learns to play a wonderful ‘lost’ instrument called a Dulcimer before heading to a piping competition in Cookstown and a meeting with renowned piper Trevor Hassin. Flautist Glenn Millar takes time out of marching practice to explain why he’s practically dedicated his life to playing with bands while Kenny Qua of Stonewall chats about keeping Ulster-Scots style folk and bluegrass alive before a performance in Warrenpoint. Meanwhile, Scottish singer Iona Fyfe offers a more contemporary spin following her huge tour across the US – and a few Taylor Swift covers along the way!
As for our presenters - Jennie Browne, half Northern Irish and half Caribbean, has always had a fascination with her identity and sense of place. But she feels there is a large Ulster-Scots shaped hole in her knowledge. So -with the guidance of Ulster- Scots presenter Jane Rea, Jennie plans to explore the Provence, get her hands dirty and learn about a community who have given us so much.

25 days left to listen

30 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sunday 18:30