Simply Music - Technology Inspired Music in Education

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Simply Music's "iClass Sounds" - iPad Music Workshops (+ Interviews)

Thinking about an innovative music programme to engage your students?
Check out the link below and watch Simply Music’s new iClass Sounds:

"iClass Sounds" - iPad Music Workshops

What is iClass Sounds?
iClass Sounds is a brand new interactive Composition / Song-writing / Performance Workshop for students from 12-17 years.

Using a complement of 10 individual iPad's, midi keyboards, electric guitars, bass guitars, mics, jam hubs, recording equipment and music software, we take advantage of modern technology to engage your students in live music composition and performance, through a blend of individualised and collective learning in a fun environment.

The programme (part-funded by the Arts Council of Ireland) is designed to respond to young people’s familiarity with technology and enhance their creative development and musical exploration.

How is the Programme delivered?
We bring the technology and the musicians to you. Each workshop is facilitated by two professional musicians who arrive with our ‘silent rehearsal studio’ so you don’t have to worry about the workshop interfering with other classes in the school.
We believe in developing the student as fully as possible during our sessions to give individual attention to each student, so we work with small numbers to deliver and unrivalled and memorable experience for those who participate in the programme.

iClass Sounds is designed for 30 students working in groups of 10 students per session. We deliver 3 sessions across the school day. The programme is delivered over a period of 3 weeks with the same students returning each week. We visit your school 1 day per week for the duration of the programme allowing learning to take place between sessions and developing greater composition and performance outcomes.

Who are we?
Simply Music is a European Award-winning music education service, bringing music technology workshops to both teachers and students alike for over 10 years. We are a team of professional musicians and music pedagogy experts who deliver a bespoke experience suited to your needs. Paul Maher, Simply Music’s Director, a professional orchestral percussionist, holds an MSc. (Education and Training Management) and a B.A. (equivalency) in Music. Our extensive professional experience includes classical, jazz rock and popular genres.
Simply Music is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and works in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills.

What do your students get from our workshops?
•    Understanding of new and emerging music technology software
•    Engagement with professional musicians
•    Participation in an engaging composition-based workshop
•    Participation and collective music-making
•    Understanding technologies associated with music recording and production
•    Social engagement and participative learning through music
•    Fun and enjoyment

Programme cost
iClass sounds is part-funded by the Arts Council of Ireland for delivery of a limited number of workshops in 2013. This subsided 3-day workshop (incorporating 2 professional musicians and all equipment brought to your door) is available to you at a 50% reduction in cost to only €990.

Can you afford to miss this unique opportunity?

Monday, July 1, 2013

Simply Music & iPads

Simply Music, with the support of The Arts Council of Ireland, recently piloted a new iPad & GarageBand Music Technology Workshop, which will be rolled out from September.

Check out the short video trailer below:

https://vimeo.com/69631711

For more details contact Paul Maher, Director - Simply Music

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

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Simply Music & Dublin City Council’s Artists’ Panel 2013

Simply Music (www.simplymusic.ie) is delighted to have been accepted again on to Dublin City Council’s Artists’ Panel 2013 and looks forward to new projects in the year ahead.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Simply Music at the National Concert Hall, August 2013 (Postponed)

Update (August 6th 2013):

Unfortunately the numbers have been slow this year to sign up and while many teachers generally do get in touch in early August the Concert Hall have decided to cancel their involvement 3 weeks prior to commencement! If you are still interested in taking part then please contact Simply Music on 01 2856162 or Mobile: 087 2227718. If we can get the numbers up then we will continue to run this Department of Education approved course.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Simply Music - Boomwhackers and Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now"

Update to excerpt from Simply Music's latest interactive screen, which will incorporate live performance workshops using Boomwhackers and Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now"

Monday, February 4, 2013

Once Upon A Time: Riverdance Percussion Rehearsals!

Paul Maher Riverdance Berlin 2000

A different side to Paul Maher of Simply Music!

I recently discovered this rehearsal footage: http://youtu.be/VtdnC5KmgyE on an old Sony Hi8 anolgue video tape, which was way before the days of High Definition! I was very privileged to spend time learning the percussion parts for Riverdance over 12 years ago and, who knows, maybe I'll get a chance to play it this century! I had practiced at home but it just wasn't the same without all the percussion instruments on stage! This was my first day in the Velodrome in Berlin back in 2000 working with backing tracks and most importantly, the Click track, making sure I stayed in time! It's one of the most exhilarating shows to play percussion on but I'm fortunate that I had 13 years of prior training, performing with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland.

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) 16^th World Forum, which took place in Barcelona On November 15^th2012.

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-workshop s

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:

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
Provide an explanation and overview of current relevant technologies
Provide access to instrumental and vocal practice and performance opportunities to develop teacher confidence within the classroom context
Develop creativity in teaching approaches to enhance students experience in learning music
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