Internationally Acclaimed Celebrities Lead Support for Future of Music Institution

Belfast, United Kingdom, August 13, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Internationally acclaimed celebrities including Michael Flatley, The Pogues, Moya Brennan, Phil Coulter, Ash, Brian Kennedy, Sir James & Lady Galway, sportsman Wayne McCullough and multi-millionaire entrepreneur Bill Wolsey, have today come together to lead in supporting the future of Ireland’s world renowned Francis McPeake School of Music by purchasing ‘tiles’ within the ‘Mosaic of Support.’

The ‘Mosaic of Support’ is the brainchild of Francis McPeake IV and has been created to encourage musicians, businesses and music lovers across the globe to become a supporter of the school by purchasing a tile within the Mosaic to keep the dream of learning traditional music alive.

An integral part of Belfast’s musical culture, the school of excellence has provided thousands of pupils with traditional music tuition in its 32 year history and the ‘Mosaic of Support’ will raise funds to take the school forward.

Attending the official launch of the campaign in The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Naomi Long, said: “I admire the creative approach the four generations of the McPeake family have dedicated to nurturing musical talent in Belfast. I welcome the innovative ‘Mosaic of Support’ campaign they have developed to fund the school into the future.”

Speaking about the campaign, Michael Flatley, said: “I wish The Francis McPeake School of Music the very best of luck. Music is a very important part of life, not just when we’re young but it’s also invaluable as we get older.”

Bill Wolsey, owner of the most public houses in Ireland’s history, said: “The McPeakes have taught all classes and creeds for four generations in Belfast. They have taught through good and bad times, through times of trouble and times of peace. To me, The McPeakes represent everything that is good about Ireland in general and Belfast in particular – they have always extended the hand of friendship!”

Francis McPeake IV said: “The support we have received for the school to date has been phenomenal and the great thing about this campaign is that via the internet, people can support us globally and, with the click of a mouse, see the people, businesses and artists who have endorsed us by purchasing a piece of the ‘Mosaic of Support’. Each supporter receives a tile on the virtual mosaic which will eventually form a piece of artwork created by award winning designer Jake Tilson.

“And that’s not all, since the McPeake ethos is that everyone can make music, this has inspired a new musical composition entitled ‘Jam Piece’ and we are encouraging all our supporters to record a note which will be incorporated into this new score.

“A documentary charting the school’s history is also being filmed and I hope that as many supporters as possible will record their note for ‘Jam Piece’ to feature within the documentary.”

Join the ‘Mosaic of Support’ by simply logging onto www.francismcpeake.com or calling +4428 9024 4544 for further details.

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Note to Editor

The world renowned McPeake Family, who have been at the forefront of keeping traditional music alive in Ireland since 1904 and who gave the world the folk-anthem ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ and taught John Lennon the Uilleann Pipes, founded The Francis McPeake School of Music in 1977, during the height of the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles.’

Classes were intended to last no more than 6 weeks but are now entering their 32nd year – they have inspired and changed thousands of children’s lives through musical education.

A documentary is currently being filmed, charting the history of the school. One major strand within the documentary is an exciting musical work ‘Jam Piece’. This will give all Mosaic supporters, even without musical experience, a chance to participate and come together to make music for the first time.

Each ‘Tile’ within the ‘Mosaic of Support’ cost £140 (€165/$230)

‘Jam Piece’ is being produced by Tom Newman, producer and engineer of ‘Tubular Bells’.

Mosaic Supporters (as at 10 August 2009)

Entertainment: Michael Flatley, Moya Brennan, Frances Black, Brian Kennedy, Ash, Therapy?, McPeake, The Furey’s & Davey Arthur, Donal Lunny, High Kings, Martin Hayes & Denis Cahill, Sharon Shannon, Kieran Goss, Tommy Fleming, Phil Coulter, The Pogues, Brendan Graham, Patricia Daly, Sir James & Lady Galway
Sport: Wayne McCullough
Business: The Merchant Hotel, EMI Music, Junction One, Belfast City Airport, Belfast City Sightseeing Tours, Belfast Duck Tours, Bernard Campbell Solicitors, Big Bear Sound, Windmill Lane Recording Studios, Fingerprint Learning, The Garrick Bar, Cafe Carberry, Morris Estate Agents, Willie Clancy Summer School, Sinful Design, Custom Pro Golf, One Zero Zero