'MusiConnecT' - Hearts in Harmony schools music outreach program
What is MusiConnecT?
'MusiConnecT' - schools music outreach program is based on a social philosophy of shared, active music making through singing, movement and playing instruments. The aim is to allow all participants to be both receivers and givers of music through helping others to engage in music making. The focus is on the social processes embedded in the music making, rather than just developing musical skills. The goal is to facilitate the music making of others through musical engagement in order to promote wellbeing and social harmony. This program helps participants to help other through music. Consequently, each participant becomes both a music maker and a facilitator of the music making of others, regardless of skill level, age and disability or, indeed, any other form of exclusion.
The program does not require expensive instruments or equipment to be effective. It offers an on-going musical pathway for all, regardless of perceived talent or previous experience. Skill development occurs as a by-product of joyful engagement and connection where performance' is a stress-free part of this approach. A partnership is forged between a primary school and at least one other 'friend' organisation such as an aged care facility, early learning centre, special school, hospital, disability unit etc.
About the program
The primary school is to choose a range of approx. 50-60 students from different ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds who are keen to be involved or who the staff think would benefit from this music outreach program.
The children plus 2 or more staff members plus interested parents/grand parents from a primary school will volunteer or be invited to participate in this program. No music experience or background is necessary just a willingness to connect with other human beings through music. After an initial meeting with the principal and participating adults will meet with 2 professional artists/musicians/educators on a weekly basis for 90 to 120 minutes for an initial period of 10 weeks. During that time, they will sing, move, dance, laugh, connect, play instruments, share their music and learn about their partner friends and music.
This will then be followed up with the class teachers during the week and embedded into other key learning areas and preferably become a whole school project.
Three times during the 10 week period (week 4, 7 and 10) the children will travel and visit their partner friends to connect and share music together. On week 10, the children and their friends will have a concert. This program will be filmed, researched and evaluated and therefore all participants must be prepared to sign the relevant permission forms.
Role of partnered organisation
Example - aged care facility
This facility is to choose a range of 20 to 30 residents from different ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds who are keen to be involved or who the staff think would benefit from the music outreach program.
The resident's plus 2 staff members plus interested family members will volunteer or be invited to participate in this program. No music experience or background is necessary just a willingness to connect with other human beings through music. After an initial meeting with the Director and participating adults the program will commence.
The residents and participating adults will meet with 2 professional artists/musicians/educators on a weekly basis for 10 weeks. The program will include one hour of music making followed by 15 to 30 minutes of further connections over refreshments. During that music making time, they will sing, laugh, connect, play instruments, share their music and learn about their partner friends and music. This will be followed up with the lifestyle staff during the week and embedded into other programs to become a whole facility project.
At the same time, a music program will be conducted with a group of 50-60 children at a primary school. During weeks 4, 7 and 10 the children will visit the residents during the music time. On week 10, the residents, children and their friends will have a concert. This program will be filmed, researched and evaluated and therefore all participants to sign relevant permission forms.
Purpose
'MusiConnecT' - schools music outreach program is based on a social philosophy of shared, active music making through singing, movement and playing instruments. The aim is to allow all participants to be both receivers and givers of music through helping others to engage in music making. The focus is on the social processes embedded in the music making, rather than just developing musical skills. The goal is to facilitate the music making of others through musical engagement in order to promote wellbeing and social harmony. This program helps participants to help other through music. Consequently, each participant becomes both a music maker and a facilitator of the music making of others, regardless of skill level, age and disability or, indeed, any other form of exclusion.
The program does not require expensive instruments or equipment to be effective. It offers an on-going musical pathway for all, regardless of perceived talent or previous experience. Skill development occurs as a by-product of joyful engagement and connection where performance' is a stress-free part of this approach. A partnership is forged between a primary school and at least one other 'friend' organisation such as an aged care facility, early learning centre, special school, hospital, disability unit etc.
About the program
The primary school is to choose a range of approx. 50-60 students from different ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds who are keen to be involved or who the staff think would benefit from this music outreach program.
The children plus 2 or more staff members plus interested parents/grand parents from a primary school will volunteer or be invited to participate in this program. No music experience or background is necessary just a willingness to connect with other human beings through music. After an initial meeting with the principal and participating adults will meet with 2 professional artists/musicians/educators on a weekly basis for 90 to 120 minutes for an initial period of 10 weeks. During that time, they will sing, move, dance, laugh, connect, play instruments, share their music and learn about their partner friends and music.
This will then be followed up with the class teachers during the week and embedded into other key learning areas and preferably become a whole school project.
Three times during the 10 week period (week 4, 7 and 10) the children will travel and visit their partner friends to connect and share music together. On week 10, the children and their friends will have a concert. This program will be filmed, researched and evaluated and therefore all participants must be prepared to sign the relevant permission forms.
Role of partnered organisation
Example - aged care facility
This facility is to choose a range of 20 to 30 residents from different ages, faiths, cultures and backgrounds who are keen to be involved or who the staff think would benefit from the music outreach program.
The resident's plus 2 staff members plus interested family members will volunteer or be invited to participate in this program. No music experience or background is necessary just a willingness to connect with other human beings through music. After an initial meeting with the Director and participating adults the program will commence.
The residents and participating adults will meet with 2 professional artists/musicians/educators on a weekly basis for 10 weeks. The program will include one hour of music making followed by 15 to 30 minutes of further connections over refreshments. During that music making time, they will sing, laugh, connect, play instruments, share their music and learn about their partner friends and music. This will be followed up with the lifestyle staff during the week and embedded into other programs to become a whole facility project.
At the same time, a music program will be conducted with a group of 50-60 children at a primary school. During weeks 4, 7 and 10 the children will visit the residents during the music time. On week 10, the residents, children and their friends will have a concert. This program will be filmed, researched and evaluated and therefore all participants to sign relevant permission forms.
Purpose
- To build capacity and social capital
- To develop positive connections
- To enhance health and well being
- To build self esteem and confidence in a fun, engaging and non threatening environment
- To assit those with disabilities, disadvantage, refugees, migrants, the unemployed, and members of the general public to unlock their creative potential and recognise each unique voice
- To give pre-service teachers, and general class teachers an opportunity to experience how music and the creative arts can be successfully shared and implemented at a community level
- To encourage pre-service teachers to be volunteers as part of their community engagement
- To raise the profile of music education and community music in Australia
- An opportunity to make a difference