Songlines Choir Touring the Waterside

The new Songlines Choir, a new initiative by the Peace Walls Programme based at St Columb’s Park House, will be performing at a series of venues around the Waterside in the build-up to this year’s Music City Day on June 21.
By Peter Hutcheon
Published 1st May 2014, 10:54 BST
Kirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park HouseKirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park House
Kirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park House

The choir has been formed to bring together people from both sides of the interface areas in the Waterside - Top of the Hill and Irish Street and Tullyally and Curryneirin.

Project manager Kirstein Arbuckle says that although the choir is in its infancy, already it is bringing people from those areas together.

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“We are aiming to bring contact dialogue and reconciliation to the interface areas in the Waterside. We are working in Irish Street, Top of the Hill as well as Tullyally and Curryneirin,” she says.

Kirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park HouseKirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park House
Kirstein Arbuckle, project co-ordinator Peace Walls Programme, St Columb's Park House

“The choir is made up of people from all over the Waterside and the Cityside as well. The core membership comes from our interface estates ages from around 16 upwards. Everyone is welcome.

“If you can sing, or even if you think you can’t sing, or if you can play a musical instrument or even if you just want to clap along, you are more than welcome.”

The Peace Walls programme is an International Fund For Ireland supported project and the Songlines Choir is just one of a number of initiatives planned for the interface areas.

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The choir performed in Irish Street Community Centre at the end of April and has announced the following dates:

Wednesday 7th May - 7pm - 9pm Ashlea Primary School, Tullyally

Wednesday 14th May - 7pm - 9pm Chapel Road Parish Hall

Wednesday 21st May - 7pm - 9pm Curryneirin Community Centre

Wednesday 28th May - 7pm- 9pm Irish Street Community Centre

Wednesday 4th June 7pm - 9pm - Chapel Road Parish Hall

Wednesday 11th June 7pm - 9pm - Irish Street Community Centre

Wednesday 18th June 7pm - 9pm - Ashlea Primary School, Tullyally

Anyone interested in joining the choir can get in touch with Kirstein on 07807 275122.