History of #iPlay4Peace

#iPlay4Peace is a project created by Neil McLennan in 2018 as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Great War. It brought together musicians from around the world to play a piece of music composed specially for the centenary of the end of the First World War by Scottish fiddler Thoren Ferguson. 

“Armistice” was performed at 3pm on Remembrance Sunday as a way of promoting international unity and encouraging discussion around conflict and remembrance. The first year attracted a mix of individual performers and groups/bands/orchestras from 45 locations across the globe. Using technology developed by Edinburgh Napier University, the performers were able to interact online in real time for a fully synchronised musical collaboration.

The project, and the partnership with Edinburgh Napier University, developed further in 2019 with 47 locations around the world talking part on the afternoon of Remembrance Sunday.

Despite lockdown meaning a physical, focal-point concert was not possible in 2020, the concept was adapted and became #iSing4Peace. Vocalists and musicians from more than 250 locations performed a song and musical score by royal composer Professor Paul Mealor OStJ, Graeme Davies (lyricist) and singer Fiona Kennedy, "Stronger for the Storm".

In 2021, recognising the centenary Scottish Poppy Appeal and the centenary of the Royal British Legion Scotland, #iPlay4Peace will return once again. It will look to build on the momentum of the past four years, with Poppyscotland, Legion Scotland and the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Service League as lead partners.

In addition to encouraging supporters from across the world to take part, Poppyscotland will also benefit from any monies raised through the sale of the headline song for 2021, "Where the Poppies Grow Tall", an original composition by Aberdeen-based musician Graeme Murray (of 80’s prog-rock band Pallas).