“Story and Song: 180 Years of Queen’s,” which will be broadcast by BBC Northern Ireland was filmed at Queen's Whitla Hall, to celebrate almost two centuries of the University, and 60 years of the Ulster Orchestra.

The evening showcased Queen’s rich musical and cultural history with various alumni in the lineup of the musical and artistic acts, and the 58-piece strong Ulster Orchestra providing the soundscape for much of the night’s contributions. 

Over 450 attendees were treated to performances by county Down rock band, The Answer, which features Queen’s graduates in Music Technology and English and Ethnomusicology; singer-songwriter, SOAK; recent Van Morrison Scholarship recipient, Cara Linden; and West End and Broadway star, Alfie Boe. 

Mr Boe’s vocal performances included musical number Falling Slowly, from Academy Award winning ‘Once,’ whilst The Answer were accompanied by Dana Masters and Jolene O'Hara performing Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain. 

Robocobra Quartet gave a rendition of The Flaming Lips’, Race for the Prize alongside singer-songwriter, SOAK. The quartet were formed in 2014 through the Queen’s University’s Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC) and have earned invitations to Montreux Jazz Festival, Glastonbury and as far as Inversia Festival in the arctic circle. Their third album ‘Living Isn't Easy’ won Album Of The Year at the Northern Ireland Music Prize.

Chris Ryan, the quartet’s drummer and vocalist and a Music graduate from Queen’s, said of the evening:

“It's always a joy to do something different - why not take the opportunity to make music with the Ulster Orchestra and SOAK? We met while studying at the Sonic Arts Research Centre over ten years ago and 2026 has been a kind of homecoming as we also are doing a performance back at the Sonic Lab as part of Sonorities Festival.

“Over the years, the folks at SARC have been nice enough to let me use the various studios and recording set-ups for projects I am producing so I have always felt quite connected to the place even though it has been over a decade since graduating.”

SARC was founded in 2004 by Queen’s Professor, Michael Alcorn MBE, creating a unique resource focusing on the intersection between music, technology, sound and society. Over the years the Centre has generated community impact locally, and across the world, on major social, cultural and health-related issues using sound-based research and creative engagement.

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, opened the event, outlining the historic contributions Queen’s has made. He said:

“This celebration is a reminder of the extraordinary breadth of Queen’s contribution to society, not only in music and the arts, but across science, engineering, healthcare, social progress and countless other fields where our staff, students and alumni make a real and lasting difference. The energy, talent and ambition showcased gives great confidence and hope for the future. 

“It was a privilege to mark this milestone and celebrate 60 years of the Ulster Orchestra, another institution that enriches the cultural tapestry of this region and shares our commitment to inspiring, connecting and uplifting communities.”

The event, recorded for both radio and TV broadcast, will be aired on BBC Sounds & BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle on Friday 27 February, and BBC iPlayer and BBC ONE Northern Ireland on Sunday 1 March.

Media

For media enquiries contact alana.fisher@qub.ac.uk