About The Hounds of Ulster
The Hounds of Ulster: progressive music for a progressive society
The Hounds of Ulster are a flute music group based in Whiteabbey, County Antrim. Playing a mixture of traditional Irish, Scottish and Ulster-Scots tunes on both the wooden and the Bb flutes, The Hounds of Ulster seek to open traditional music from the United Kingdom and Ireland to all people. Participation is open to all musicians of any background. Many of its members have played in other flute and pipe bands throughout Northern Ireland, and have decided the next logical step in their musical development is through an Ulster-Scots interpretation of traditional Irish music.
As a symbolic representation of musical potential and development, progress and change, The Hounds of Ulster group demonstrate how music from the United Kingdom and Ireland is open to diversity, whist maintaining the unique qualities that are inherent in the various styles. These musicians show how anybody, from any background, can listen to, perform and enjoy the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland’s music without fear of political or divisive connotations.
With the percussion-line using both high and low tension snare drums, rope drums, tenor drums, bass drums and various ‘pit’ percussion instruments to accompany the melody & harmony section, the percussionists that comprise the line are some of the foremost drummers in Ireland, both north and south.
The melody & harmony section, comprised of the most experienced flautists in Northern Ireland, pushes the limits of flute music in the North of Ireland to boundaries never before imagined. The leading musicians of the group have worked with bands in Northern Ireland for over 25 years.
Together, the work of the melody & harmony section and the percussion-line aims to raise the standard amongst music groups in Northern Ireland, to encourage participants to enjoy the music for its aesthetic and inclusive qualities, and eradicate the potential for political and antagonistic features to develop within the framework of musical performance.
This ethos of inclusive participation is maintained unanimously across the group’s membership, with the standard line stating “music unites”. The music performed by The Hounds of Ulster is never aimed for one particular group of people, but for all persons to enjoy regardless of national, religious, social, class or ethnic identity. Since their formation the group has performed at a variety of events, including a joint policing conference attended by members of An Garda Síochána and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, at which the group received a standing ovation for their recital of Ulster/Scottish/Irish traditional music. In 2008, the group performed for Lisburn City Council’s celebration of St. Patricks Day. The Hounds of Ulster have also played at numerous Ulster-Scot folk events such as the monthly soiree at Cairncastle Orange Lodge.
At this years An Fleadh Nua festival in Ennis, Co. Clare, The Hounds of Ulster introduced the world of traditional Irish music to the long standing and rich tradition of flute band music.
Showcasing their recital of flute music from Brittany, the United Kingdom and Ireland, the group enjoyed a rapturous reception from the Ennis audience.
The weekend progressed further for the flute group to a level of almost surreal success, with The Hounds of Ulster performing as the opening piece in the Sunday afternoon street parade.
Being fully aware of the incredible significance of this year’s performance, and the importance of next year’s invitation, The Hounds of Ulster wait in eagerness for the opportunity to return to Ennis to demonstrate their unique talent once again.
Following on from the epic success of the trip to Ennis, on November 14th and 15th 2008, in Ballyearl Community Theatre, Newtownabbey, The Hounds of Ulster will host concerts celebrating the rich variety of traditional music from both communities in the North of Ireland. This concert is a cross-community initiative with the potential to abolish predetermined or negatively biased views on other cultures and traditions.
The performing groups include:
- Queen’s University Irish Traditional Music and Dance Group
- The Ulster-Scot Experience
- East Antrim Traditional School of Music
- The Omagh Dance School
- The Eillis School of Dance: Highland Dancing and Piper
- The Hounds of Ulster
The specific aims of these concerts are to promote and celebrate Ulster Scots and Irish traditional music and dance, create increased awareness, and establish community cohesion between the socio-political divide in Newtownabbey. The potential for progress from this project is enormous, with future plans already being laid for more concerts at bigger events further afield. Through this presentation of inclusive traditional music and dance at the concert in Ballyearl, The Hounds of Ulster will highlight how the North of Ireland is at the forefront of social, political, and artistic development.
