CALL FOR IDEAS: Choral Programme Development.

Music Generation Carlow is a music education service for children and young people aged 0-18 years in Co. Carlow. It is part of Music Generation -Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds. Locally, Music Generation Carlow is managed and co-funded by Co. Carlow Music Education Partnership, (CMEP), made up of the following partner organisations: Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board and Carlow County Council Arts Office.

Background: Music Generation Carlow has been operational in Co. Carlow since September 2013. During this short time the team has designed and delivered a classroom singing programme to 22 primary schools on a weekly basis. Presently there are 1113 primary school children availing of weekly singing classes throughout Co Carlow. This programme is part of our Encore primary school programme.

The Opportunity:  MGC would like to work in partnership with a choral expert/organisation to design and implement the next stage in the development of the Encore choral programme. This opportunity will involve a three pronged approach:

Existing Provision: MGC recognises the extraordinary level of existing choral provision throughout the county and this exciting partnership opportunity is provided not to replace existing provision but to enhance, add value and support synergies between MGC and existing providers.

Process: MGC is calling for proposals to meet the above opportunity. The proposal should be maximum 1000 words with an income and expenditure budget attached and be sent by email to pphelan [at] kcetb.ie. Shortlisting may apply. Closing date for proposals is May 9th at 12 noon. The programme is to commence in September 2014.

GENERAL CRITERIA:

Artistic: the proposal should be artistically ambitious but mindful that the young people need to be thoroughly engaged in the process and show a demonstrated understanding of the capacity of children at upper primary level. The proposal should clearly outline entry and exit points, progression routes and relationship to existing provision within the county.

Age: the proposal should cater for delivery to upper primary: 8-12 years (this may grow and divide further over time if the programme is successful).

Personal: the musicians that deliver the programme should be qualified or have relevant experience and be fully Garda vetted and comply with KCETB Child Protection Policy.

Cost: In accordance to the MGC aim:  access for all, the programme needs to be delivered at a minimum cost to participants. (€90 per year is the maximum fee that can be charged for a 30 week delivery period). A detailed budget with the total contribution sought from MGC for the 30 week delivery period should be provided.

CPD: The proposal should outline a CPD plan for all MGC choral practitioners for the academic year; this should include team teaching opportunities, master classes, group conducting opportunities and observation opportunities with the view to developing a world class group of choral practitioners for the programme. The proposal should outline how this CPD programme will be lead and managed.

Administration: The applicant will take on all administration aspects and demonstrate the capacity to be able to deliver this e.g. liaising with parents, booking venues etc. and will be supported by MGC in areas of marketing, press and social media. This administration time must be factored into the cost. The successful applicant will be bound by Music Generation National’s communication guidelines on acknowledgement of the partnership.

Performances: regular chances to perform are essential; choirs will be included in the MGC performance schedule.

Partnership: the applicant must demonstrate a real willingness to work in partnership with MGC and all that involves e.g. reporting, gathering statistical information, attending meetings and programme planning.  The applicant will design a proposal that affords sustainability as well as demonstrable / or evidence of artistic excellence. The applicant will advocate on behalf of MGC at all opportunities.

Venue: a suitable venue and accompanist must be factored into the costing.

Partnership Agreement: the partnership agreement will take on the form of a service level agreement between MGC and the successful applicant/organisation. 

Insurance: the applicant will have the relevant public indemnity insurance in place.

Matched Funding:  MGC is subject to matched funding rules. The base figure of €90 per participant assumes a group of 30 members for 1.5 hours of delivery per week over 30 weeks. Proposals should take account of this minimum group size. The income raised from student fees will be matched by MGC 1:1. This should inform the base budget for the proposal. Extension costs in relation to development and delivery of the CPD programme are open to negotiation with MGC based on initial costing’s suggested in the proposal.

(A time line for delivery will be discussed and devised with MGC by the successful applicant, shortlisting may apply.  An external expert panel will adjudicate submissions).