Knowing the Score

Sligo County Council, Wexford County Council and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra recently hosted a National Music Symposium which took place at St Patrick’s College on Tuesday March 24th, 2009. The Symposium launched the research report Local Authorities & Music: Knowing the Score, written by Ailbhe Kenny (pictured with Dr Patricia Flynn of St Patrick's College Music Department), Research Fellow on a 2-Year Partnership Initiative between Sligo County Council, Wexford County Council and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra through the Arts Council of Ireland Local Partnership Scheme 2006-2008. This report provides, for the first time, a published record and analysis of Arts Officers initiation of a wide range of music programmes, their interactions with musicians and the local community as well as the Local Authority structures within which this is carried out. Its analysis of a diverse range of data leads to targeted recommendations to strengthen music within this country-wide service and place Local Authorities as critical partners in national music development. The report was presented to the public at the Symposium in St. Patrick’s College on 24th March. In welcoming the report, the President of the College Dr Pauric Travers noted the need for research to inform current practice and future development in music in Ireland.  He commended the role this research partnership took in revealing the hidden work of Local Arts Services and providing analysis and recommendations to inform the continued development of a national arts infrastructure for the benefit of Irish citizens country-wide.

Pictured are the children of Aspiro, formerly Carlow Youth Artists Choir.

The day also included a keynote presentation from Marc Jaffrey, Music Manifesto, England and Martin Drury, Arts Director, Arts Council of Ireland as well as featuring performances of two Local Authority music initiatives;  ‘Ardee Dances’ composed by Rachel Holstead, commissioned by Louth County Council and performed by the Irish Baroque Orchestra with soloists Sarah Sexton, baroque violin and Gerry O’Connor, fiddle and a performance of ‘Nursery Rhyme Cantata by Aspiro, formerly Carlow Youth Artists Choir, composed by Nick Page and directed by Mary Amond O’Brien. The day was audited by radio producer and broadcaster with RTE Radio 1, Kay Sheehy, who responded with an article entitled ‘Who is it for?’

The report, Local Authorities and Music: Knowing the Score is available from the research partners Wexford County Council, Sligo County Council and St Patrick’s College Drumcondra. It  demonstrates that while much has already been achieved, the Arts Office is a force for future positive change in arts support, provision and participation in Ireland. “Not only does this report reveal the significant volume of work in music development that has been undertaken by Local Authorities”, explains Rosaleen Molloy, County Wexford Arts Officer “it also sets out new challenges for future development. For the first time in the history of Arts Officers in the country, a documented account of the extent of music development on a national scale is now available, in addition to more solid strategies for the future.’

The event attracted personnel from other Local Authority Arts Departments, Music Development/Resource Agencies, Musicians & Composers, Researchers in Music and Cultural Policy, Music Teachers and Educators, Commissioners, Music Managers, Arts Centres and Arts Resource Organisations.

Should you require any further information or if you would like a copy of the report forwarded to you please contact Artscope + 353 (0)1 505 9582 or email info@artscope.ie 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Wednesday April 15 2009