Council Chair Congratulates Sister City Musicians

Sister Cities Music Youth Exchange

From the 22-30 July, six young musicians from Newry Mourne and Down District Council welcomed six young musicians from Southern Pines, Aberdeen and Pinehurst, North Carolina, USA, to experience a sharing of the diverse culture of music across the Atlantic.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew with USA and local music students after their Concert at the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre to mark the end of their Sister Cities Music Youth Exchange visit.

This unique music initiative is part of a Sister Cities partnership with Southern Pines, Aberdeen and Pinehurst.  The twelve young people had the opportunity to avail of music workshops and a range of activities and play alongside local talent throughout the week, resulting in a farewell Summer Concert in the Sean Hollywood Arts Centre on Sunday 30 July, to an audience of family and friends.

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said: “This unique music youth initiative was made possible by the committee of our Southern Pines, Aberdeen and Pinehurst partner who has been instrumental in developing the project and extending the partnership.

“Both Sister Cities feel it is very important for the success of this international relationship to have young people involved and to benefit from stronger cultural exchanges between our two communities and I hope that these exchanges will continue for many years to come.

“I am delighted to have witnessed the huge benefits of this partnership for both our local young people and our international visitors, which they have gained not only through shared learning but through shared experiences and the building of friendships.”