‘An Introductory Course to Music in Healthcare Settings’ (Louth based Professional Musicians)

Create Louth, the Arts Service of Louth County Council, and Music Generation, in partnership with Kids’ Classics, is delivering a ‘Training Notes’ programme for musicians in County Louth interested in exploring the idea of bringing Music into healthcare settings.

This is a 4 day introductory workshop for musicians interested in exploring the idea of bringing music into healthcare and community spaces with a focus on Geriatric Settings. It includes practical placements in local settings.

Kids Classics CLG is a non-profit organisation that designs, manages and delivers professional music projects and programmes in healthcare, educational and community settings around Ireland. Kids’ Classics expanded its programmes in 2013 to include ‘Training Notes’, a programme that offers training and mentoring to musicians and healthcare professionals.

The training will be delivered by European qualified trainers with National and International experience, Gráinne Hope and Liam Merriman, both of whom undertook extensive training with Musique et Santé as part of a pioneering European ‘Train the Trainers’ programme led by Musique et Santé (France) in association with Music Network (Ireland), Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and the Royal Northern College of Music (UK).
Both Music-in-Healthcare trainers have delivered music in many settings including Paediatric ICU, Neo-natal Special Care, Oncology, Renal Dialysis, Acquired Brain Injury, Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as Acute and Chronic Psychiatry.

The Objectives of the ‘Training Notes’ Introductory Programme:

• Understanding the role of a healthcare musician and the appropriate placement of music in sensitive settings.
• Exploring the skill set and best practice methods necessary to deliver quality interactions in Hospitals and Nursing Homes.

The programme Content will include:

• The approach and methods required for successful musical interactions in hospital and care home environments
• Vocal and instrumental repertoire and improvisation
• Challenges of working in a team within a clinical space
• Ethics and confidentiality
• Practical music placements in local healthcare settings

Criteria for selection

• Instrumental ability (accompanying, instrumental lead);
• suitable, portable instrument for a healthcare environment and vocal ability (knowledge and usage of suitable repertoire)
• Creative ability (improvisation, listening & creative response to groups/individuals)
• Suitable communication skills
• Suitable interpersonal skills
• A desire to learn

Closing Date: October 6th
Training Venues: Creative Spark & Local Healthcare Settings

We are able to offer the 4 day course including musical visits to local health settings for €75, this fee is heavily subsidised by Create Louth, the arts service of Louth County Council.

As places are limited, musicians should apply in writing with:
• A completed Application Form
• A Biography

For an application form please contact: [email protected]

All Application materials should be returned to: [email protected]

Places will be offered at the discretion of Create Louth, Music Generation Louth and Kids’ Classics CLG