A 15-year-old girl from County Down is an exemplification of the phrase “music has no boundaries”. The youth orchestra that she is a part of is a testament to the harmonious blend of different communities.
The young prodigy, Cara’s luminous passion for music shines as bright as the sun as she delicately retrieves her hand-crafted violin from its case. She has the privilege of being among the youngest members of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland.
The impromptu orchestral practice session that I witnessed took place in County Louth, located in the heart of the Republic of Ireland. The orchestra seemed like a vibrant, buzzing hive with over a hundred youthful musicians practicing tirelessly for an upcoming series of concerts.
Cara, who hails from County Down, is a part of the strings section of this unique orchestra. What makes the ensemble extraordinary is that it was born out of the Northern Ireland peace process. Notably, it was established in 1995, just a year following the announcement of ceasefires by republican and loyalist paramilitaries. This marked the cessation of over 25 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland.
The mission of the orchestra from its conception has been to transcend the religious divide between Catholics and Protestants via music. Fast forward to the present day and the purpose of this 140-musician strong orchestra remains the same.
Cara, a student at a Catholic girls’ grammar school in Ballynahinch, recounts her journey with music. She discovered her calling early and has been mastering her craft on the violin and piano. Her journey with music has taught her the valuable lesson of perseverance. The two-year association with the orchestra has helped Cara broaden her social circle with friends from diverse backgrounds.
She credited the orchestra for deepening her love for various genres of music, particularly, the Ulster-Scots music, which remained unexplored for her till she joined the orchestra. It was an absolute enriching experience becoming acquainted with Ulster-Scots music and culture, transforming her perspective towards it.
The orchestra perfectly amalgamates the culture of Ulster-Scots with traditional Irish music. Besides traditional instruments, the orchestra also experimentally includes pop, rock, and dance genres in their music.
According to the orchestra’s founder, Sharon Treacy-Dunne, it was the versatility in the music that guaranteed the project’s success. Hailing from Hackballscross, a pastoral village in County Louth, Sharon acknowledges the significant role that music played as a unifying force in the midst of the political unrest during the 1970s and 80s.
The culmination of the orchestra’s work, the peace proms, amplifies the power of music across the UK and Ireland. The collaboration between the orchestra and school choirs from diversely abled and differing background attract a multitude of students, displaying a balanced representation from both Protestant and Catholic institutions.
Cara, sharing her feelings about the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall, said it was an unreal experience that music made possible. The concert was part of the events that marked the 25th anniversary of the historic Good Friday Agreement, which saw an end to the long-standing conflicted era known as the Troubles. Amidst the tumultuous political landscape of Northern Ireland, Cara finds the stage provided by the orchestra very significant in showcasing the positive impact of music on the global platform.
The young violinist found it particularly disheartening that the majority of the news narratives about Northern Ireland highlighted the negative aspects of the region. She emphasized the role of the orchestra in showcasing the brighter, harmonious side of Northern Ireland, emphasizing how music has the power to bind culturally different communities together. As Cara reflected, when they perform together, the experience is truly galvanizing for all involved.
Cara shared her fulfilling musical journey as the winner of the BBC Young Reporter Competition.
