Ulster Orchestra transforms Belfast street memories into music

The Ulster Orchestra is engaging with the community of Townsend Street in Belfast to create a musical piece inspired by the memories of local residents. A group of women, all in their 80s and part of the Young@Heart group, shared their childhood experiences during a consultation at St Stephen’s Church in May. They discussed the sounds that defined their upbringing, which helped the orchestra understand the emotional landscape of the area. The composer, Una, aims to blend brass and woodwind instruments to reflect both the vibrancy and the sense of loss associated with the street's history. In preparation for the composition, Una reviewed transcribed conversations and photographs to capture the essence of the community. She expressed the challenge of incorporating the voices of the residents into her orchestral writing. The process of composing the piece is intricate, particularly in ensuring it is accessible for the orchestra to perform. The rehearsals took place at the end of August, with Patrick McCarthy, the artistic director, emphasizing the orchestra's role in revitalizing the area. The project aims to reconnect the community with its past and foster a sense of unity between the predominantly Catholic lower Falls and the largely Protestant lower Shankill. The culmination of this effort will be a performance celebrating Townsend Street, scheduled for Saturday, which seeks to bring the area's history back into public consciousness. This initiative not only highlights the cultural significance of the street but also serves as a reminder of the shared experiences that can bridge divides within the community. Through music, the Ulster Orchestra hopes to honor the memories of the past while inspiring future connections among residents.