The Sound of Music Continues to Flow through Ballylone Thanks to Power NI Helping Hands Scheme
The Ballynahinch based Concert Band was nominated to receive the community funding by Power NI employee, Margaret Murray, as part of the company’s staff sponsorship scheme ‘Helping Hands’, which gives staff the opportunity to put forward local groups and organisations for funding. Thanks to the donation, the group was able to purchase new instruments for the band.
The band was formed in 1908 from local families in the Ballylone townland. The concert band is now a cross community musical group consisting of amateur musicians ranging from the age of 8 to 76.
The concert band can often be found serenading locals in public parks across Belfast as well as playing at local community centres and Residential Homes within the Ballynahinch area. A key element of the group is the learner’s class where a group of volunteer teachers provide musical tuition to as many people (young and not so young) as possible.
Power NI is delighted to support Ballylone Concert Band by providing funding which will be used to purchase new instruments for the learner’s class. With the help of Power NI, the band will now be able to offer tuition to even more people and enable them to learn about music and its many benefits.
Grateful for the funding, Power NI employee Margaret Murray commented:
“The impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on our group has resulted in very limited fund-raising opportunities being available. As a group of self-funded amateur musicians, we rely heavily on contributions from companies and organisations to enable our volunteers to continue providing support to the local community. This donation has allowed us to purchase new instruments and has had a hands-on impact on the lives of a number of people. I am proud to work within an organisation that gives support not only to its employees but also groups nominated by employees. Thank you.”
Secretary of Ballylone Concert Band, Gillian Bryson commented:
“The purchase of new instruments has brought benefits to a number of local people who now have the opportunity to learn music. This in invaluable and has almost certainly improved the mental wellbeing for those people involved. We rely heavily on fund raising and contributions, and this donation from Power NI through the Helping Hands Scheme is most valuable as we come out of lockdown. Thank you, Power NI.”
