Randox accompanied a group of musicians from across Northern Ireland and Ireland to Washington DC this weekend, for a world-class musical performance.

World-renowned chamber orchestra Camerata Ireland, the Harmony North choir, a cross-community choir made up of 9 post-primary school choirs from across North Belfast and the Codetta choir from Derry / Londonderry travelled to the US to perform on Saturday 21 May. The event took place in the Eisenhower Theater in America’s National Cultural Centre, The John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, Washington DC.

The Codetta and Harmony North Choirs, and the Camerata Ireland orchestra, supported by global sponsor Randox, included in their performance a specially commissioned piece of music called ‘Dusty Bluebells’ – written by the poet Michael Longley, and Camerata founder and director Barry Douglas – on Saturday evening as part of the Centre’s International Festival, focusing on Irish arts and culture.  The event also marked the world premiere of Olagon, a piece of music written by Belfast composter Neil Martin, and played by Dublin piper Mark Redmond, on the uilleann pipes.

Speaking ahead of the event, Barry Douglas, Founder and Artistic Director of Camerata Ireland, whose joint patrons are Her Majesty The Queen and the President of Ireland, said

“It is a real honour for Camerata Ireland to be asked to take part in this Festival with musical talent from both North and South. And I am doubly thrilled that we were able to accommodate my suggestion of being joined by the young people of the Harmony North choir.

Performances like this are only possible with the generous support of private sponsors, particularly our global sponsor Randox, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with them. I also have to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Bureau and Tourism Ireland for their generous financial assistance and help enabling us to attend this event.”

Barry and Eimear McGeown, a flautist from Craigavon, also performed at events in the Boston Public Library and the American Irish Historical Society in New York, attended by Randox guests on this recent trip to the US.

Randox Managing Director Dr. Peter FitzGerald, commented:

“We are very pleased to have been able to accompany Barry Douglas and Camerata Ireland at events in Washington, New York and Boston this week. To see our young musicians, including the young members of the exceptionally gifted Harmony North choir, showcase our musical heritage and talent to American audiences, makes us extremely proud.  Our partnership with Camerata allows Randox the opportunity to promote client relationships and exports to the USA whilst simultaneously supporting the very best of our young musicians in their careers.”

Harmony North has been supported in their first year by the Integrated Education fund, Mr Tony Carson, the Belfast Trust for Integrated Education and the support of the schools, staff and parents of all the participating schools.