OCN

The Ulster-Scots Agency supports Ulster-Scots Music Tuition through an annual community funding programme. This is open to voluntary and community groups, and the programme supports a wide genre of Ulster-Scots traditional music, including bagpipes, drumming, flute, fife, Lambeg drumming, accordion, and drum major tuition.

The Agency annually supports approximately 90 music tuition projects involving more than 1,000 young musicians delivered throughout Northern Ireland and the Border Counties.

We support a selection of programmes accredited by recognised authorities, including the Open College Network (OCN).

For schools, the Agency can provide tutors to help pupils develop their music and dance skills in relation to Ulster-Scots culture and heritage. We can also provide grant funding for accredited learning in communities throughout Ulster, including the Border Counties. 

Accredited programmes include: 

• Piping/Drumming/Drum Majoring: Foundation Level – accredited by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association
• Fiddle: Grade System and Diploma – accredited by London College of Music (Scottish Traditional Music)
• Highland Dance – accredited by the UK Dance Alliance/Scottish Board of Highland Dance.