Open letter to: Carál Ní Chuilín, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure; Peter Robinson, First Minister; Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister
It is has been a tremendous shock to hear and read about the situation the Ulster Orchestra is presently in.
For Northern Ireland to potentially lose what many people around the world consider to be its cultural flagship institution is unthinkable, and yet it now seems all too possible.
It cannot be overstated how important this body of musicians is to the musical life of the North.
Since its inception in the 1960s, this orchestra has developed into one of the best orchestras in the UK and Ireland, providing thousands upon thousands of people annually the opportunity to hear wonderful music played at the highest standard and to see the best and brightest stars come to Northern Ireland to perform.
The orchestra has given many home-grown composers the opportunity to have their music performed and broadcast nationally; it has invited many local musicians to play as soloists with the orchestra; through its community concerts, touring and broadcasting the orchestra has represented Northern Ireland in the best way possible – free from politics, simply as ambassadors for the very best characteristics of the community.
The orchestra has also over the years provided huge expertise in terms of music education and outreach – many musicians in the North have studied with members of the orchestra; to lose those players and the wealth of experience they possess would be devastating for musical life in Northern Ireland.
We the undersigned implore you to find the necessary funding to keep this marvellous institution alive and prosperous – the North’s cultural life would be immeasurably poorer without the Ulster Orchestra, and it is deeply troubling to think that Northern Ireland might become the only part of Europe without a full-time professional orchestra.
Sir James Galway, flautist
Dame Evelyn Glennie,
percussionist
Elaine Agnew, composer
Jonathan Byers, cellist
Gerald Barry, composer
Paul Bateman, conductor
Ed Bennett, composer
David Brophy, conductor
David Byers, composer
Greg Caffrey, composer
Bill Campbell, composer
Finghin Collins, pianist
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Philip Flood, arts manager
Frank Gallagher, musician, producer
Stephen Gardner, composer
Deirdre Gribben, composer
Philip Hammond, composer
Brian Irvine, composer
James MacMillan CBE, composer and conductor
Simon Mawhinney, composer
Gerard McChrystal, saxophonist
Deirdre McKay, composer
Kenneth Montgomery, conductor
Darragh Morgan, violinist
Christopher Norby, composer
Kevin O’Connell, composer
David Quigley, pianist
Joanne Quigley, violinist
Chris Ryan, sound artist
Matthew Schellhorn, pianist
Hugh Tinney, pianist
Paul Watkins, conductor
Ian Wilson, composer