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
External relations of Guernsey more integrated relationship with the Commonwealth of Nations, including more direct representation and enhanced participation in Commonwealth organisations and meetings, including Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, however with no right to vote in the Ministerial or Heads of Government meetings. Both Alderney and Guernsey are members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. The Bailiwick of Guernsey which includes Alderney, Sark, Herm and the other smaller islands is a member of the Commonwealth Games Federation and has attended every games event since the inauguration in 1970. In 2011 Guernsey, which had previously been unrated, was awarded a AAA credit rating by Standard