Music of the Channel Islands for hundreds of years. Song in Jèrriais celebrates the language and its survival. Songs derived from French mark geographic identity and proximity to France, while songs derived from the UK and Ireland re-present Jersey's wider heritage. The development of tourism in the 19th century brought a demand for dance music in tea-rooms and hotels. Some local composers supplied songs and sheet music aimed at a tourist market. Claude Debussy composed part of "La Mer" in Jersey. John Ireland settled for a time in Guernsey. The Channel Islands Music Council was founded in 1974 to promote music in the islands. In
Maritime history of the Channel Islands 1790, Guernsey merchants shipped low quality brandy to Madeira, where it was added to their wine to fortify it. Madeira wine becoming famous. Both Islands established Chambers of Commerce as the merchant families expanded and grew in wealth. Tupper, Priaulx, Le Marchant and De Jersey from Guernsey and Ste Croix, Robin, Janvrin and Hemery from Jersey, often intermarrying to avoid rivalry. Part ownership of ships show there were 1,238 people were owners of shares in the 19th Century including 280 mariners and 97 in ship related trades, but also included 55 farmers, 34 widows, 29 spinsters and 25 gentlemen. It