Outlet wins major community arts award

Teaming up with the Ulster Orchestra, the Outlet undertook a project entitled “Sounding the Planet” to bring classical music into the lives of more than 1,500 local children.

The Outlet received the award at the Allianz Arts and Business Awards 2010 last week on account of its work in Banbridge, Newry and Dungannon.

The Outlet supported this major educational project involving children in the South Eastern Education and Library Board area last May and June. The project was also part funded by Banbridge District Council.

Ulster Orchestra musicians conducted thirty workshops in local primary schools teaching youngsters about orchestral music and developing the children’s listening, composing and performing skills.

The pupils made their own homemade percussion instruments using recycled items, which brought in an additional environmental element to the project.

The workshops were followed by three performances of the Ulster Orchestra in Banbridge, Newry and Dungannon, which involved not only the children from the participating schools but hundreds more from each local area.

This was the first year that the Outlet had sponsored an Ulster Orchestra Project and they have now pledged their continued support in 2010.

Christine Watson, Market Manager of the Outlet, said, “We are absolutely delighted that our project won this prestigious award. Our sponsorship is all about giving something back to our local community and we felt that working with the Ulster Orchestra was a perfect way to do this.

“We are investing for the benefit of our local children, enhancing their education and letting them experience and be inspired by something completely different.”