Last week Help Musicians UK, a leading UK musician’s charity, announced a new focus on Northern Ireland with three new appointments here.
The charity, which supports musicians at every stage of their careers and lives, will reveal its new Help Musicians Northern Ireland (HMNI) brand in November during the ‘Sound of Belfast’ Festival in Belfast which was announced yesterday.
The organisation’s Director of External Affairs, Christine Brown, will lead the new HMNI brand as NI Director. Christine, who heads up the charity’s fundraising, communications and campaigning brief for the whole of the UK, will focus on broadening the reach into Northern Ireland with a range of innovative programmes, campaigns and initiatives.
They will be announced at the charity’s official launch which kicks off the ‘Sound of Belfast’ on Thursday 3 November. The programme, which runs through to Saturday 12 November also includes other HMNI events, ranging from musician workshops to an exclusive music bus tour of the city.
Christine will be joined by Nikki MacRae, who will act as NI Development Officer and be based at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Centre. Nikki, who is a producer/co-presenter on radio show ‘Through the Wall’, will work to ensure all of the NI music industry has access to the charity’s core services.
Music Producer and Manager, Declan Legge, who manages the bands Jealous of the Birds and Silences, will advise the charity as a music industry liaison specialist. He will work with Christine and Nikki to enable HMNI to meet the ever-changing needs of the industry and support local emerging talent.
Christine Brown, the new NI Director added: “This is Help Musicians first outreach operation in the charity’s 95-year history and it is no fluke that this is happening in NI. It has a strong personal significance for me as someone who grew up there. I have long been a proactive advocate for the amazing ambition, energy and vision of the NI music community. I am therefore extremely proud to be leading this exciting new venture and look forward to sharing more at the launch in November.”
Chief Executive, Richard Robinson, said: “Not only does NI have a unique music ethos and heritage, but it’s blessed with a vibrant infrastructure which Help Musicians UK seeks to support and embellish. Christine, originally from Northern Ireland, has been working with the local music scene for many years and her understanding of the musical ecosystem against the wider UK music industry will be hugely valuable. I’m extremely enthusiastic about what our new NI team and brand can achieve.”
For more information on Help Musicians Northern Ireland brand and the events taking place at the Sound of Belfast visit helpmusicians.org.uk/HMNI
