The Magic of Music - How does it work?

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The Magic of Music programme has a number of options for schools/clubs/teacher inservices and holiday camps all year round. We can custom make the programme to suit the needs of your school or staff.

OPTION 1. HAVE THE MAGIC OF MUSIC ONCE A WEEK FOR 1/2/3 TERMS
This is our most popular option for schools. During school terms, the facilitators go into the school one day a week for at least a term and teach all the children in the school for approximately 30 minutes per class. Both the children and the classroom teacher benefit from the lesson and the importance of music as a subject is greatly enhanced in the school. There is no disturbing of the school timetable as the Magic of Music teacher fits into the daily schedule of whatever school they are in. The classroom teacher has a vital role to play in the course and is provided each week with a class plan outlining the curriculum strands covered in the lesson of the day. They are also provided with ideas of how to develop the concepts throughout the rest of the week. There are now lesson plans for every level from Junior Infants to 6th class and the facilitator pitches the material according to the level they find the children at.
Cd's are available upon request which accompany the class plans for schools who are booked for a long MOM run.

OPTION 2. SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
The Magic of Music has written a number of shows to cover performances for any occasion. Whether it's Seachtain na Gaeilge, Christmas time, Conformations and Communions, Multi cultural week etc; we can help you with our wide range of materials and expertise. The facilitator can come in and concentrate on preparing the children for this performance in conjunction with the classroom teacher or music coordinator. We provide backing tracks in the correct key, live music if appropriate on the day/night and also recommend very well priced sound equipment, costume suppliers and other such professional services

OPTION 3. AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS /SPECIAL NEEDS CLUBS & HOLIDAY CAMPS

The Magic of Music runs year round in after school clubs, special needs clubs and holiday camps all over the country. Leaders there have found that bringing such a programme like this into their regular timetable increases the enjoyment the children get from attending the clubs and cuts down on behavioural issues. The programme here facilitates hour long sessions/ half day sessions/ day long sessions or week long sessions pending of the needs of the camp or the club involved.

OPTION 4. ONE OFF WORKSHOPS DURING THE ACADEMIC YEAR
The Magic of Music can be booked as an annual treat once a year for the children of the school. This booking can be made to coincide with a Music week in the school or some other special occasion. This option has become increasingly popular ad the facilitator builds on the material that they have worked on with the children the year before. This booking may involve 2/3 days depending on the needs of the school involved. We can also bring our samba drums or soundbeams to these workshops if requested.

OPTION 5. TEACHER INSERVICES/ SUMMER COURSES & CROKE PARK HOURS
The Magic of Music has been running teacher workshops since the summer of 2004. They are very popular with teachers as they are practical, flexible, informative and good fun. Teachers are given comprehensive notes and support material. They suit both teachers with a musical background and those who have difficulty bringing music into their daily curriculum. The Magic of Music runs summer courses for school staffs and the teachers are awarded EPV days. Other workshops run during the school day where the teachers visit the workshop on rota, after school workshops for one/two hours or day long workshops during holiday times for the whole staff. Schools have been able to use these workshops as part of their Croke Park hours when run at the appropriate times.

The Magic of Music gives the children an opportunity to develop their natural abilities and potential and fosters in them a lifelong love for music. It makes cross curricular links effortlessly and integrates all strands of the Revised Music Curriculum in original hands on activities.
Mary Molloy -
Principal, Sacred Heart Junior School, Tallaght