Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Simply Music, Guest Speaker – Barcelona OETI World Forum


Paul Maher, Simply Music (Highly Commended European MEDEA Award winner) represented the MEDEA Awards at OETI’s (Obsevatori europeu de la TV Infantil) 16th World Forum, which took place in Barcelona On November 15th 2012.

Paul presented on behalf of the MEDEA Awards, delivering its message of recognition and rewarding different aspects of the field of media in education. Video highlights of all 4 winners from 2011 as well as Simply Music’s “Highly Commended” contribution and MEDEA2020 involvement were very highly received.

It was felt that “Pedagogy” linked all the speakers at this session and that children are “great creators with technology”.

Simply Music/MEDEA - OETI Barcelona Video Presentation

(Left to Right) Cristina Tresserres Macaya (Director – OETI), Carme Verdaguer (Crocodox - educational TV documentaries), Eva Pujadas, (Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Paul Maher (Director, Simply Music – representing MEDEA Awards)


Thursday, August 30, 2012

Simply Music/MEDEA2020 at The National Concert Hall, August 2012

Simply Music (www.simplymusic.ie) is a percussion workshop that combines interactive technology and live music performance, through a fun-filled and engaging process, for pupils learning through either the English or Irish language: http://vimeo.com/39712120

In November 2011 Simply Music received a "Highly Commended" European Award for its use of Technology in Education as part of the MEDEA Awards Ceremony, which took place during the Media & Learning Conference 2011 in Brussels. The aim of the MEDEA Awards is to encourage innovation and good practice in the use of media (audio, video, graphics and animation) in education: http://www.medea-awards.com/showcase/simply-music-technology-inspired-music-in-education-workshops

Summer 2012 In-Service Teacher Training Course:

https://youtu.be/f6SgmR_EWLM

Simply Music delivered its 6th consecutive year of In-Service Teacher Training courses in The National Concert Hall, Ireland, August 13th - 17th, 2012. This year we were delighted to have MEDEA2020 (http://www.medea2020.eu/) on board and hope to work with them in Belgium, next summer.

Thanks to:
  • The National Concert Hall of Ireland
  • The Department of Education & Skills
  • Sile Daly
  • Philip Penny/Sally Reynolds - IADT/MEDEA2020
  • The Arts Council of Ireland 
Teacher Training Programme Aim:

This programme has been designed to:
  1. Develop an appreciation and understanding of the potential to utilise new and emerging technologies to support the implementation of the primary music curriculum for music
  2. Provide an explanation and overview of current relevant technologies
  3. Provide access to instrumental and vocal practice and performance opportunities to develop teacher confidence within the classroom context
  4. Develop creativity in teaching approaches to enhance students experience in learning music
  5. Develop new ways of learning through a peer-learning  / shared-learning experience
The aims of the music curriculum are to enable the experience of excitement, satisfaction and self-confidence. All these core values are incorporated into teacher training workshops in order to let the child in us be the key to all invention and creativity. The music curriculum itself encourages young children to recognise and perform simple rhythm patterns from known pictorial symbols.

The incorporation of an integrated approach to music in the classroom in terms of utilisation of new and emerging technologies familiar to students’ has the benefit of providing experiential learning thus broadening and enriching their experience and participation in music. In addition, multimedia technology offers high tech support for a range of graphic, textual and sound sources, which can greatly enhance understanding in music.

The incorporation of technology in teacher training music workshops develops a confidence and independence through taking the initiative, making decisions, individually and as a member of a group, through composition and performance activities.  These attributes can then be successfully communicated to the child as outlined in the broad objectives of the music curriculum.


Some of the Testimonials from the National Concert Hall 5-Day course
(Aug 13th - 17th, 2012):

"The technological aspects have been very useful as I work in a special school with students ranging in age from 3-18 and we use a lot of technology." 
(Síobhan Keane, Central Remedial Clinic School, Clontarf, Dublin 13)


The Simply Music Programme is of a "Very high quality. Great demonstrations."
…"Marvelous openness to discussion, experimentation and specific information re computer software."
....I found that the parts of the workshop that benefited me most were "The practical side - composition, rhythm, playing, plus an insight into a variety of computer software incl. iPad's, speakers etc. plus the camaraderie/teamwork."
(E. O'Breslin, Mother of DevineGrace Primary School, Dublin 11)


"I was glad of advice given by professional musicians in relation to teaching music in the primary classroom. I feel that I will be a more confident music teacher as a result." ..."The facilitators were very engaging, informative and approachable."
(Aideen McPartland, Mullaghbuoy N.S., Dundalk, Co. Louth)


"There was a sense of creative flow throughout the (5-day) course." ..."The facilitators had "A great combination of talent, creativity, approachfulness, relevance and fun!"
(Aoife Curran, Scoil Mhuire gan Smál, Kilkerley, Dundalk, Co. Louth)



For more information about School Workshops or Teacher Training Courses
Contact:

Paul Maher, M.Sc in Education & Training Management (E-Learning)

Director
Simply Music

Mobile:  +353 (01) 2856162

Tel:        +353 (0) 87 2227718
Web:      www.simplymusic.ie

Email:    info@simplymusic.ie 































Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.
Simply Music Technology Workshops - National Music Day, 2010
- "The Ark", Temple Bar, Dublin.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Simply Music & Dublin City Council’s Artists’ Panel 2012









Simply Music is delighted to have been accepted onto Dublin City Council’s Artists’ Panel 2012 and looks forward to new projects in the year ahead.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas!!


One of Simply Music's latest Primary School projects: Johnstown Boys National School, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, practicing and performing "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas.


For more information on school workshops or teacher training courses:

Contact:
Paul Maher, M.Sc in Education & Training Management (E-Learning)
Director
Simply Music

Phone:  +353 (01) 2856162
Mobile:  +353 (0)87 2227718
Email:    info@simplymusic.ie

Web: http://www.simplymusic.ie
Blog: http://simplymusicblog.blogspot.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=59567921&trk=tab_pro

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Simply Music/The National Concert Hall: In-Service Teacher Training, Aug 13th-17th, 2012


Simply Music, in association with The National Concert Hall, will run its 6th year of In-Service 5-Day Teacher Training Courses, approved by The Dept. of Education & Skills.
(Monday, August 13th to Friday, August 17th, 2012)
Simply Music is an innovative way of working with percussion and rhythm within the primary school curriculum. The model has been designed to enhance learning for different cognitive styles through the introduction of technology as a learning tool. This week-long training programme for primary teachers will focus on how music performance can be used in the classroom environment using both traditional and technology based methods. Presented by professional percussionist and digital media designer Paul Maher, areas covered will include creation of an interactive music session, use of technology in the classroom, rhythmic performance development, the history of percussion styles/percussion instruments and the development of vocal, melodic and rhythmic development elements (action songs, etc.) 
In addition to delivering teacher training courses, Simply Music delivers Percussion Performance Primary School Workshops for children (4-12yrs), supported by The Arts Council of Ireland (English and Irish-Gaelscoileanna models), incorporating Interactive Technology and Live Music Performance: 
http://vimeo.com/39712120

Simply Music recently received a “Highly Commended” Award as part of the European MEDEA Awards 2011 for it’s use of technology in education. This year the competition attracted 115 entries from 28 countries and the ceremony took place in Brussles on November 24th as part of the Media & Learning 2011 Conference:
http://www.medea-awards.com/showcase/simply-music-technology-inspired-music-in-education-workshops

If you are interested in a visit to your school for either our Hands On! - Juniors (Infants - 1st Class) or Hands On! - Seniors (2nd Class - 6tht Class pupils) workshops:

Contact:

Paul Maher, M.Sc in Education & Training Management (E-Learning)
Director
Simply Music

Mobile:  +353 (01) 2856162
Mobile:  +353 (0)87 2227718
Email:    info@simplymusic.ie


See below in relation to last year's course, August 2011:


Rehearsing Ravel's Bolero (with the aid of technology):

Simply Music's 5th consecutive year of Department of Education & Skills 
MusicTechnology/Performance Workshops: