From tiny acorns to mighty oaks

Derry-Londonderry was the first ever U.K. City of Culture and lead the way for others by putting creativity and culture at the heart of regeneration.

The Music Promise was a year-long programme of learning and performance experiences in Derry~Londonderry during the UK City of Culture 2013. The project could be broken down into five main strands: -
- School Grants: 44 primary and 14 secondary schools
- Exceptionally Talented: 20 young people received a bespoke musical programme of lessons, performances and masterclasses from professional musicians.
- SYNC: Music Promise activities targeted to youth and harder to reach community spaces.
- The Lenanshee Musical: pupils from Foyleview and Belmont (SEND) Schools prepared and performed the musical composed by Conor Mitchell.
- Community Music Small Grants awarded to 32 organisations to fund various programmes & performances throughout the city.

For all of these initiatives I managed over 100+ artists & cultural organisations, delivering a portfolio of several hundred events.

Together with colleagues producing and delivering events such as Radio One’s Big Weekend & Academy, the NYOGB residency, The Royal Ballet performance, Celtronic and Hofesh Shechter’s Political Mother and many more.
Programme available: https://issuu.com/cultureni/docs/ccprog_press

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-25451019

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/29/derry-city-of-culture-reawakened-idealism

https://thebusinessmagazine.co.uk/companies/city-of-culture-and-issues-of-legacy/