Over 100 performers from local schools, choirs and community music groups will come together for a series of pop-up performances in Victoria Square to mark Make Music Day on Friday 21 June.
The special event is one of a series of fundraisers being spearheaded by Victoria Square and its new charity partner, Oh Yeah Music Centre to support grassroots music initiatives in Belfast.
For one day only, a special line-up of pop-up performances will take place throughout the centre with everything from toe tapping trad to operatic and orchestra performances right through to rousing renditions of pop hits from local choirs on the programme.
With performances from budding and experienced musicians aged from seven to 70, between 12-6.30pm, there’s sure to be something to suit every taste, as the groups promise a series of rousing performances.
Shoppers will have the chance to win big prizes when they donate, with each donation made to Oh Yeah on the day enrolling doners into a special Oh Yeah raffle. Prizes up for grabs will include concert tickets, Oh Yeah gig tickets, and five £100 Victoria Square Gift Cards. The Oh Yeah Make Music Day raffle is open now, with all donations made between now and Friday 21 June going into the draw. Donations can be made online here and further information can be found at ohyeahbelfast.com/raffle
There will also be a special event for tots and their parents as Oh Yeah’s popular ‘Acoustic Picnic’ family event goes ‘on tour’ to Victoria Square’s interactive children’s play area, located by the Odeon Cinema. From 2-3pm on Friday 21 June, the space will be brought to life with sing-along hits from Over The Hill Collective who will encourage pre-school little ones to sing, dance and play instruments. Places are free but limited and can be booked in advance at www.ohyeah.com/acousticpicnic.
Make Music Day is a global celebration of music that has been celebrated for over four decades. The initiative is designed to be open to all, inviting people from all backgrounds, experience and genres top join in, make music and host performances, to fill cities around the world with uplifting music for everyone to enjoy.
Michelle Greeves, centre manager, Victoria Square Centre said: “We are proud to partner with Oh Yeah to celebrate Make Music Day in 2024 with a day of inspiring and uplifting performances that will support music in Belfast.
“The incredible genre and generationally expansive line-up features orchestras, school groups and community choirs that will showcase some of the incredible talent supported by our 2024 charity partner, Oh Yeah Music Centre. We’d encourage as many people as possible to join us on the day, to help
raise vital funds to support Oh Yeah’s award-winning projects in the future.”
Commenting on the partnership, Charlotte Dryden, CEO, Oh Yeah Music Centre said: “We are excited to kick off our partnership with Victoria Square with this special fundraiser on Make Music Day. Oh Yeah is committed to ‘opening doors to music’ and we are proud to join forces with Victoria Square to shine the spotlight on some of the incredible community groups supported through our award-winning grassroots programmes.
“From school kids right through to seniors, we have an incredible collection of young people and experienced musicians, who will show that making music is an incredible and powerful way to bring people together. In support of our fundraising on the day, we have a range of brilliant prizes up for grabs, so we would encourage people to come along, enjoy some great performances and help us raise funds to help local musicians make music all year round.”
Funds raised from the Make Music Day event and from Victoria Square’s partnership with Oh Yeah throughout 2024 will be directly reinvested into Oh Yeah Music Centre programmes to support local musicians and music projects.
It will be all bands on deck throughout 2024 at Victoria Square as the centre has pledged to offer a platform for local artists through its partnership with the Oh Yeah Music Centre. Over the next 12 months, local musicians and performers will have the opportunity to perform in the centre, which attracts over 200,000 weekly visitors.
For further information, visit www.victoriasquare.com or connect with Victoria Square on Facebook, @VictoriaSquareBelfast and Instagram,@VictoriaSqBelfast.
Looking ahead to their Make Music Day performance, singer Karla Guerin who will perform with The Cairde Community Choir, said: “Music to me is all about connecting with people. It is amazing how music can really speak to you – It can give you inspiration, encouragement and just bring pure happiness and joy to your life.
“I’m really looking forward to performing in Victoria Square and having the opportunity to hopefully touch hearts and showcase just what the people of Belfast have to offer musically.”
10-year-old Eilís McKeague, daughter of Joe McKeague from The Rapparees will perform with a youth choir from Gaelscoil Éanna. Growing up surrounded by music has provided Eilís the confidence to already learn to play the fiddle and the piano and encourage her to attend weekly singing lessons. She said: “I’m so excited to come to Victoria Square and perform with my friends. I can’t wait to show people our music and I just want everyone to enjoy our performance. I have learnt so much and made so many friends through making music and it just feels so exciting to be able to come to Victoria Square and perform together.”
Michael Chambers has been a tenor with Belfast Philharmonic Choir for over four decades. Commenting ahead of their Make Music Day performance, he said: “Making music is a very special part of my life – I joined the Belfast Philharmonic Choir as a student at Queens almost 45 years ago and this is a particularly special year as Belfast Philharmonic celebrates 150 years. Singing together in a choir is a lifechanging thing; it’s thrilling, it lifts the soul. It’s enriched my life in every way. Not only has it developed my singing skills, but it’s developed lifelong friendships.
“We are looking forward to Make Music Day – we sang in Victoria Square at Christmas time but this will be a new experience. We have around 30 of our 130 singers coming down and we will be previewing some of the songs we are currently rehearsing for our 150-year anniversary concerts. It will be very special.”
Related: Where Can I Take Kids for a Day Out in Belfast? The Ultimate Family Guide
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