There was a touch of tartan at Stormont this week as young Ulster-Scots musicians from across Northern Ireland gathered for a musical graduation in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings.

They were coming together to receive foundation certificates in piping and drumming awarded by the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI).

More than 70 young learners, drawn from primary and post primary schools, as well as one youth band and the RSPBA (NI) Pipe Band College, attended to receive recognition for their efforts at learning their new instruments.

The event was hosted by former Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA, a long-time supporter of Ulster-Scots.  Welcoming the capacity crowd of youngsters and their families, the Strangford MLA said, “It’s fantastic to see so many young people getting actively involved in piping and drumming, which is an integral part of their Ulster-Scots identity and something that enriches all of our lives.  I congratulate everyone – students, tutors and parents – for the hard work and commitment that these foundation certificates represent.”

Most of the young people have been learning on tuition programmes funded by the Ulster-Scots Agency, which organised the event.  Agency Chief Executive Ian Crozier encouraged the young learners to continue with their music and take the next step by joining a local band, saying, “Ulster-Scots music presents young people with the opportunity for a lifetime of participation, enjoyment and friendship through our vibrant bands scene.  There are well over 100 pipe bands in Northern Ireland, so I would say to every young person here not in a band, there is a band out there waiting for every one of you.”

The Foundation Certificate was developed as a joint initiative of the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (NI), initially to recognise progression in the bagpipes, but then extended to include the full range of drumming disciplines and drum major skills.  RSPBA (NI) was represented by its President, Winston Pinkerton, who spoke about the very significant impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the pipe band community and how encouraging it was to see so many new, young musicians coming through so quickly afterwards.

The graduates were drawn from a number of schools and organisations including: Banbridge High School; Cedar Integrated Primary School; Down Academy Pipes and Drums; Down High School; Dromore High School; Drumlins Integrated Primary School; Glasswater Primary School; Lisnadill Primary School; Markethill High School; Moneyreagh Primary School; Pipe Band College NI (RSPBA NI); Old Warren Primary School; Omagh Academy; Scarva Primary School; and The High School, Ballynahinch.

To view photos of the event click here.