Music For Me Gallery
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Music for Me is a unique music programme open to children who access the services of Homework Clubs in Dublin 8.
As an art form, music is deeply rooted in human nature. It is a unique form of communication and a means by which feelings and interests are organised and expressed. With this in mind, Music for Me aims to empower children to successfully communicate feelings and interests about themselves and the world around them. Developed by Common Ground in partnership with community based Homework Clubs in Dublin 8, Music for Me allows participants to play, listen to, participate in and experience the type of music that appeals to them. The programme is facilitated by professional musicians, in collaboration with homework club staff, and includes weekly and seasonal music sessions. Each section of the programme involves elements of listening, responding, performing and composing, underpinned by a desire to create an atmosphere of joyful participation.
Aims of the Music for Me programme:
The strands of the programme are: Group music sessions These take place during the school holidays and are structured to meet the developmental needs of each specific group. Individual music sessions These take place on a weekly basis between the child and a specific musician and last for the duration of the school year. Performance Children are provided with the opportunity to perform on a regular basis in both local and wider community contexts. Musical appreciation This strand involves a dual process of musicians travelling to local venues to play for the children and the children travelling to professional venues to hear musicians play.
Training Training is provided to all musicians working on the programme. This aims to further their skills as music educators and to explore and develop appropriate training methodologies for all homework club leaders working on the programme.
Background
The Music for Me programme has expanded considerably since its inception in the Dolphin House Homework Club in April 2005.
A short 'Introduction to Music' programme in April of that year provided the genesis of what was to become the Dolphin House Music Club where children between the ages of six and 12 years of age came together at regular intervals to play and perform a broad range of percussive and musical instruments facilitated by musicians Elaine Agnew, Klaus Vormehr, Dara O' Brien and Nick Roth.
In April 2007, in a culmination of nearly two years of the programme, an exciting musical performance of both Irish and International music was staged by the Dolphin House Music Club in the Rotunda Room of Dublin City Hall.
From September 2007, the programme continued to expand into Fatima Homework Club and the After Schools of the Family Resource Centre at St Michael's Estate. New tutors have been introduced and workshops and performances scheduled throughout 2008.
A number of new and exciting programme elements are currently in development. These include; a pilot singing programme, further expansion of the weekly guitar and keyboard tuition programmes, plus 'Introduction to Music' sessions featuring a diverse programme of workshop and performances.
Music equipment for this programme have been donated to Common Ground's musical instrument bank by the IRMA Trust and also purchased through Dormant Accounts Funding.
The artists currently working on the Music for Me programme are:
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