DEADLINE CLOSED IN DECEMBER 2020
Music Network and Wicklow County Council Arts Office invite County Wicklow residents aged 55 and over to participate in a new shared learning music project with renowned Wicklow quartet Sonamus. Making Music with Sonamus: the Wicklow Teaching Residency presented by Music Network and Wicklow County Council Arts Office offers participants individual and group tuition on piano, guitar, cello or whistle between January and June 2021. Tuition is entirely free of charge and instruments will be provided as needed for the duration of the project. Reading music is not essential for participation in this project, and players of all levels are encouraged to apply, even if a little rusty! To apply online CLICK HERE or to apply by phone please call Music Network’s Programmes Administrator Sarah Ledwidge on 083 0162718.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of Music Network Sharon Rollston said: “We’re very pleased to announce this exciting new participatory project Making Music with Sonamus: the Wicklow Teaching Residency in partnership with Wicklow County Council Arts Office. It’s designed to provide a quality learning experience which helps people to rediscover their love of playing music, and we’re delighted to have Sonamus on board as our ensemble-in-residence to inspire, encourage and share in their music-making journey.’
Arts Officer at Wicklow County Council, Jenny Sherwin said: ‘’This is one of these vital initiatives which will sustain people throughout the winter in creative activities and will increase their contacts safely.’’
Benefitting from the combined musical backgrounds of Sonamus members Eamon Sweeney (guitar), Rachel Factor (harpsichord), Annette Cleary (cello) and Tim Doyle (whistles), the tuition programme will offer project participants an opportunity to experience and learn an array of musical styles and techniques. Between January and March 2021, participants will receive up to 10 one-to-one weekly instrumental lessons. Group instrumental lessons will also be held on weekday mornings in April at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray.
The project concludes with three large ensemble sessions also conducted at Mermaid Arts Centre. Please note all lessons will take place either by video call or in person, as public health guidelines dictate. Technical support to enable online learning will be provided to participants if necessary.
Applicants must be aged 55 or over, resident in County Wicklow and have some previous experience on one of the four instruments on offer. Alternatively, experience on a similar instrument will also be considered. Places are limited to fifteen. Priority will be given on a first come first served basis, however additional criteria that will be taken into account for selection include availability of teaching slots, availability of instruments, ability to partake in the full programme and geographical spread throughout the county.
To apply online please CLICK HERE or call Music Network’s Programmes Administrator, Sarah Ledwidge on 083 0162718.
Making Music with Sonamus: the Wicklow Teaching Residency is presented by Music Network and Wicklow County Council Arts Office. Music Network is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. This initiative is also funded by Creative Ireland and the Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020–2021, and supported by Mermaid Arts Centre.