Ireland again?

**beloitpiper** · 25th March 08, 06:58 AM

I applied with the Friends of Saint Patrick Young Ambassador Program, which would have me doing peace studies and international relations for 3 or 4 weeks this summer in Belfast. Well, today I got this letter:

Dear Gregory,

Thank you so much for applying to the Friends of Saint Patrick Young Ambassador Program. I am delighted to tell you that your application has been reviewed by our Selection Panel and you will be invited to interview.

So now I drive up to Milwaukee a week from Saturday and have an interview. Basically, I pitch what research that I want to carry out and what I want to study while I'm there.

I'M SO EXCITED!

**McMurdo** · 25th March 08, 07:02 AM

Congratulations Greg, best of luck to you.

**Finn** · 25th March 08, 07:03 AM

Wow! That's great! Enjoy yourself! What do you think you want to research?

**beloitpiper** · 25th March 08, 09:03 AM

Originally Posted by Finn

Wow! That's great! Enjoy yourself! What do you think you want to research?

I want to do ethnomusicology in relation to the politics in Northern Ireland. How it evolved and developed, how it was used a political force, it's influences, etc.

Studying that also gives me a chance to play and study music while I'm there.

**JerseyLawyer** · 25th March 08, 09:16 AM

Congratulations! Best of luck with the interview!

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 26th March 08, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

I want to do ethnomusicology in relation to the politics in Northern Ireland. How it evolved and developed, how it was used a political force, it's influences, etc.

Studying that also gives me a chance to play and study music while I'm there.

What you might want to consider doing is studying the songs (some quite recent) of the loyalist community. There is a huge amount of music in NI that seems to be universally ignored by Irish musicologists, and virtually all of it comes from that community.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 26th March 08, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

I want to do ethnomusicology in relation to the politics in Northern Ireland. How it evolved and developed, how it was used a political force, it's influences, etc.

Studying that also gives me a chance to play and study music while I'm there.

Congratulations!

What you might want to consider doing is studying the songs (some quite recent) of the loyalist community. There is a huge amount of music in NI that seems to be universally ignored by Irish musicologists, and virtually all of it comes from that community.

**beloitpiper** · 26th March 08, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

Congratulations!

What you might want to consider doing is studying the songs (some quite recent) of the loyalist community. There is a huge amount of music in NI that seems to be universally ignored by Irish musicologists, and virtually all of it comes from that community.

Of course! I can't very well be an objective anthropologist and not study both sides. I've only heard a few Unionist songs, but I think they're fascinating!

I'm really itching to get back on the island. I hope some of our Ulster friends on X Marks are willing to meet up in a pub while I'm there!