PATTONS’ ‘SCORE’ WITH MUSICAL LINK TO BUILDING!

A leading construction company is helping build musical foundations in its home town through a unique concert organised in conjunction with the Ulster Orchestra and local primary schools. The Patton Group, who built and fitted out the magnificent new £14m Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena, is  to help mark the opening of the state-of-the-art complex by taking to the stage along with local primary school children for the one-off concert this week. Funded by Arts in Business, the interactive concert called “Building Blocks” will feature musicians from the Ulster Orchestra, 63 children from Camphill and St. Colmcille’s Primary Schools in Ballymena, plus 15 Patton staff drawn from throughout the company and all with no prior musical know-how. Ulster Orchestra musicians Steve Barnett and Mark Robinson will host a morning workshop with the Patton Group staff and the schoolchildren on musical ideas expressed in terms of “Building Blocks”. They will be invited to build their own “musical” houses which they will then perform to an audience of around 100 guests in the Braid’s new concert hall today (Tuesday). By encouraging children to build music together, the project aims to build lasting friendships across the entire community. The Patton Group, which has its headquarters in Ballymena, said the emphasis throughout the project is to explore musical ideas and instruments, linked to the construction industry, in a fun and exciting way.

Alan Stewart, Marketing Manager with the Patton Group said: “We were keen to do something special to mark the opening of the new Braid Arts Centre and the end of our role in constructing it and fitting it out. We have been involved in sponsorship with the Ulster Orchestra for the past three years and we have also been a member of Arts & Business for a number of years. The idea evolved from our discussions with the Ulster Orchestra and we applied to Arts & Business for funding and were delighted when they gave us their backing. We are pleased to be staging the concert which will celebrate our completion of this important project for Ballymena while at the same time, will allow us as a company, to give something back to the community.”

David Byers Chief Executive of Ulster Orchestra said: “The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to be back in Ballymena’s great new Braid Arts centre. It’s wonderful that Arts & Business has funded this imaginative project which has brought together children and Patton Group staff to explore analogies between the construction of music and the building of a house.”

The event was also welcomed by Rosalind Lowry, Arts Development Officer at The Braid Arts Centre who commented: “We are proud to host this exciting event, particularly because of our partnership with the Patton Group. We also bid a welcome return to the Ulster Orchestra with whom Ballymena Borough Council has a long and happy history. This is a fantastic opportunity for our local schools and businesses to work together producing new experiences and developing new friendships.” Both local schools welcomed the initiative as a fantastic opportunity for the children involved.

Mr Brendan McKenna, Principal of St. Colmcille’s Primary School said: “I am delighted that our children have been given this wonderful opportunity to work alongside professional musicians from the Ulster Orchestra. Exploring musical ideas and instruments is creative music at its best and complements many aspects of the NI Curriculum. We are indebted to the Patton Group and Arts & Business who are the generous sponsors of the Ulster Orchestra and who are supporting this event for our children."

Principal of Camphill Primary, Mr Martin Cubitt added: “This event is a fantastic chance for the children to experience music in a fun and interactive way.  We are very grateful to the Ulster Orchestra, the Patton Group and Arts and Business for providing us with this opportunity.”

Brona Whittaker, Arts Manager Arts& Business Northern Ireland commented: “Building Blocks is a perfect example of how business and the arts can work together to develop a creative project that inspires and engages all of those involved. This event will provide opportunities for Patton Group employees and local school children alike to explore musical ideas and instruments in a fun and exciting way.”