Over 100 conductors and singers gather at NUI Maynooth for the Choral Music Experience Institute

Conducting Young Choirs in the World Today
Choral Music Experience Institute Ireland

Maynooth, July 14, 2015: Over 100 conductors and singers are gathering today at NUI Maynooth to participate in the Choral Music Experience (CME) Institute programme. Under the direction of conductor and master teacher Doreen Rao, Irish conductors and choral teachers will be taught and mentored by an international faculty of Irish, Canadian, Scottish and American exemplars.

Accredited by Dublin Institute of Technology, the intensive professional development programme brings together an international community of conductors and choral teachers from Ireland, UK, US, Europe and Asia to study, practice and perform a diverse repertoire of music for children and youth choirs.

Hosted by Maynooth University, the inaugural summer course will include interactive classes on voice education, score study, conducting technique and choral pedagogy. The course curriculum is enriched with innovative breathing and movement techniques based on Doreen Rao’s mindfulness approach to singing and conducting.

The Institute’s ‘Young Artist Choir’ hosts a consortium of youth choirs from Scotland, Donegal and Carlow. These young choristers will work alongside the course conductors and faculty to include Mandy Miller, Scotland), Kathy Armstrong, (Canada) Lee Kessleman (US) and Mary Amond O’Brien (Ireland). The 2015 Institute is made possible through partnership between CME Institute, Music Generation, the Association of Irish Choirs and DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama.

“We are thrilled that the 2015 CME institute for Choral Teacher Education is taking place in Ireland”, said Dr. Rao. “Much has transpired in the landscape of Irish music education. Through the pioneering work and fresh vision of Music Generation, music education is moving beyond the conventions originated in the European aristocracy several hundred years ago. It’s been a great privilege to conduct and teach in Ireland numerous times over the past several years, and I am delighted to return this summer to work with so many great musicians, educators and organizational partners committed to the art of choral singing in music education.”

Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music commented, “We welcome our international partners to Ireland and look forward to a brilliant CME Institute that brings together a committed community or practice dedicated to progressing choral music education at home and abroad. Supporting the continuing professional development of musicians working in music education remains a priority for Music Generation and we are delighted to partner with the CME Institute, the Association of Irish Choirs, DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama, and Local Music Education Partnership to make this happen.”

The Institute concludes on Friday July 17 with a celebratory Concert at NUI Maynooth at 4pm – attendance free.

//ENDS//

Media Contact:
Deirdre Scully, Acting PR & Marketing Manager, Music Generation National Development Office, NCH Building Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2
E: deirdre@musicgeneration.ie
T: 01 4758454

Notes to editors
About the Choral Music Experience Institute
Dedicated to the ongoing professional development of conductors and teachers working with children and youth choirs in school, classroom and community singing programs, the Choral Music Experience Institute provides sequential conductor and choral teacher certification programmes to support professionalism and inspire the highest standards of repertoire and vocal performance teaching.

The repertoire-based courses and workshops include instruction in voice education, score preparation and musical analysis, conducting, program and rehearsal planning, choral pedagogy and performance practice. The professional development curriculum is distinguished by Doreen Rao’s performance approach to music education. It is rooted in the practice of awareness (mindfulness), the development of cultural sensitivity, and an exploration of socially engaged musicianship.

Visit www.choralmusicexperience.com for further information

About Music Generation
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships.
Music Generation helps over 26,000 children and young people annually access high quality performance music education in their local area. The programme is currently established in twelve areas of the country – Carlow, Cork City, Clare, Laois, Louth, Limerick City, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo, South Dublin, Mayo and Wicklow. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.