AN initiative that develops and nurtures creativity through a partnership approach between music students, their music teachers and visiting musicians has been extended to include hundreds of students across the country.
‘Me and My Music’ is an Arts in Junior Cycle initiative supported by the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022 Pillar 1 Creative Youth, Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT), the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) and Sing Ireland.
The initiative got underway in February 2019 and included 300 first year junior cycle music students with their music teachers in 18 schools working with local musicians throughout Ireland.
From September to December 2019, a second rollout was launched with an uptake of over 400 second year music students in 26 schools nationwide.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD has now launched the next rollout of ‘Me and My Music’ for spring 2020.
Students from Central Remedial Clinic School, St Paul’s College, Raheny, and Tallaght Community School attended the launch at Government Buildings.
It will run in schools nationwide for first year music students from January to May 2020.
In the 'Me and My Music’ initiative, students, teachers and musicians work together to create a musical composition.
The music teachers and musicians create an environment which allows students to experiment, take risks, explore new and challenging opportunities and reflect on the creative process.
As well as developing the students’ creativity, this initiative offers opportunities for learning about vocal health and voice production.
It also provides the foundational understanding of the value of music to the economy and the changing role of music creation in a digital era.
It aims to equip future creators with the fundamental skills required for an evolving music industry. All of this learning will enable and further support junior cycle music students in their engagement with and understanding of their new Junior Cycle music specification.
Speaking at the launch of ‘Me and My Music’ Spring 2020, Minister McHugh said: “Bringing musicians, teachers and students together is a great way to inspire young people and encourage creativity.
“The expert advice that the students get in this project will stand to them for years to come whether it's song writing or composition, keeping their voices healthy, recording, copyrighting and sharing music. They are all critical skills for anyone interested in the music industry.
“It's bringing top class expertise into the classroom and it will be of real benefit for Junior Cycle students studying music.”
Students from the Central Remedial Clinic School, St Paul’s College, Raheny, and Tallaght Community School performed their original musical compositions for Minister McHugh and key people in the creative world, at the launch.