Soundbeam music technology provides an inclusive music experience in dlr

Students at Carmona School showcase Soundbeam technology for guests including An Cathaoirleach of dlr County Council Shay Brennan, Chief Executive of dlr County Council Philomena Poole, Music Generation Board Member Martin Drury, and dlr County Council Senior Executive Librarian Domitilla Fagan.

As 2019 came to a close the staff and students of Carmona School, Glenageary, invited parents, friends and family to join them for a very special Christmas celebration. This special school for children and young people with a severe to profound general learning disability is also one of the participants in Music Generation dlr’s Infinite Music programme, which earlier this year received a €50,000 grant through the Google.org Impact Challenge for Dublin.

The goal of the Google.org Impact Challenge is to support local non-profits and social enterprises with big ideas to create opportunity in their local communities.

A south Dublin school for young people with severe to profound learning difficulties held its annual Christmas party. Families of the pupils were invited along to celebrate, @CillianSherlock went to see the introduction of some cool new music technology in the classrooms @dlrcc pic.twitter.com/B6wbZYeXHd

— RTÉ news2day (@news2dayRTE) December 12, 2019

Since receiving the grant, Music Generation dlr has been able to purchase new Soundbeam music technology to enable young musicians, including the pupils at Carmona School, to make and experiment with music. These new musical instruments are motion-sensitive and have pre-programmed sounds and scales. They are designed to be activated by even slight movements, so that those with limited mobility can more fully participate in composing, performing, and playing music as a group, and so that the practice of making and creating music can be tailored to each young person’s unique needs and abilities.

In Carmona, Music Generation dlr tutors Aidan and Jessica work with students on a weekly basis, including using the Soundbeams. Members of the school staff have also received training in operating the technology so that they can carry on making music with their pupils throughout the week.

On the day of the Christmas celebration the children and young people of Carmona were also treated to some festive performances by Ardú Vocal Ensemble and Mobile Music Machine, as well as receiving a special guest visit from Santa Claus himself!

The inclusive Infinite Music programme is just one of the initiatives of Music Generation dlr, which operates across the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County area. For more information about tuition and participation opportunities email the Music Generation dlr office: muiscgen@dlrcoco.ie

You can watch the full news item below: