Gasyard’s ‘Did Ye Hear About?’ Conversations Series ... ‘The Londonderry Bands Forum hits the Gasyard’

When someone is seen walking with a fiddle or bodhran in Derry or, indeed, other parts of the North, they are  regarded as musicians, but if you are walking along with a flute you are not accorded that same respect.

This was one of the key observations made by Andrew Lynch when addressing an audience at Derry’s Gasyard Centre on Monday last  in the third in the series ‘Did Ye Hear About?’ . . . Mythbusting Conversations 

Mr.  Lynch, project co-ordinator with the Londonderry Bands Forum, said he was ‘jealous’ of the respect accorded traditional Irish musicians. Those in Protestant and Unionist community, he said, often felt overlooked in this regard.  

He made the point that learning to play an instrument like the flute takes a lot of time, effort, and money, many people not realising that even the cheapest flute can cost in excess of £400.

And he was anxious to quickly dispel another myth: “Contrary to what maybe some people in the nationalist community might think, these musicians don’t go out to provoke; they go out to perform, connect, and celebrate their culture. The idea that bands exist simply to annoy others is not only false — it ignores the dedication behind the music.”

In a wide-ranging and informative presentation, under the chair of former Derry Journal Editor, Pat McArt, Andrew Lynch explained that the Londonderry Bands Forum was established in 2010 to support and represent marching bands in the city. 

He commented: "At the time, it was clear that bands needed a voice — one that could address issues affecting them directly, rather than being spoken for or targeted by politicians or the media. Today, we represent 24 bands across the Derry and Limavady areas — both urban and rural.”

Londonderry Bands Forum chair Andrew Lynch pictured with Pat McArt, chair and Chris McDonagh, event organiser after Monday's 'Did Ye Hear' discussion in the Gasyard. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Unlike the nationalist community, he explained that band culture was traditional in the Protestant-Unionist community.  And there seemed to be a lot of misunderstandings about that culture.

“Bands are deeply rooted in our history. Within our forum alone, seven of our bands are over 100 years old. That number will soon rise to ten. Three bands are already over 150 years old, including:  Britannia Concert Band (formed in 1866, mixed-religion membership);Hamilton Flute Band (1856); Churchill Flute Band (1835 — the oldest marching band on the island of Ireland)”

There are, he pointed out, around 660 marching bands in Northern Ireland, with a combined membership of over 30,000 people. That makes it one of the largest voluntary and arts movements in Europe.

The Bands Forum also do a tremendous amount of outreach work with 31 workshops in 13 schools across the city in June reaching out to over 884 pupils.

Revealing the role music and bands had played in his own life, Andrew stated that he had left school at 16 with no qualifications, joined a band for no other reason than a friend was joining it, got hooked, learned music and found himself not only a tutor but returning to education and getting himself a degree.

“I am an example of how this work goes beyond music. For many young Protestant boys — who statistically struggle in education — music becomes a way to build self-confidence, improve focus and teamwork, and discover new ways to learn. It’s often our least academic pupils who become our best music readers. They find something they can relate to — something that gives them purpose.”

He referenced a number of musicians who emerged from this background and who are now members of orchestras, pointing out that the world famous flautist, Sir James Galway, started out in a flute band in Belfast.

Mr Lynch concluded: “Bands are often judged unfairly — and sometimes this is more to do with those who hire them than the bands themselves. But if you look closer, you’ll see that bands provide real opportunities and benefits to people from all walks of life."

IN PICTURES: Myth-busting lecture series ... ‘The Londonderry Bands Forum hits the Gasyard’

The mythbuster lectures are part of the Connections – A Peace Barrier Project, organised by the Neighbourhood Management Team and funded by the International Fund For Ireland.

The ‘Did Ye Hear About..?’ series is to continue over the coming months with a number of events taking place throughout the month of. August.