LOCAL people are being invited to take part in a special project in October that aims to narrow the gap between the generations through making music together during Positive Ageing Month.
‘Together with Music’ (TwM) are embarking on a UK wide song-writing tour to create a very special album, written and recorded by local communities.
Local people can join in a two-day workshop taking place in the Millennium Forum in Derry on 30th September and 1st October, one of eight locations celebrating people, diversity, inclusion and connection.
The song-writing project will link in with TwM members in care homes, hospitals, schools and community groups, and the album will be co-produced by local communities, bringing people together from different backgrounds, generations and ethnicities.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke, said it offered the chance to promote greater understanding between the older and younger generations through their shared passion for music.
“This workshop emphasises the opportunities that exist to help promote understanding around music, health and wellbeing and to encourage intergenerational connections through music making and song-writing.
“Joining other cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff and Bristol, offers citizens from this council area an opportunity to get involved and showcase their creativity and talents at an intergenerational level, supporting Age Friendly engagement across the region, especially as the 1st October is recognised globally as International Day for Older Persons.”
The first day’s activity (Thursday 30th September) will deliver fun and practical training to young people and musicians.
The workshop will equip young musicians with an understanding of intergenerational music making delivery, the rationale and clinical thinking behind music within health and wellbeing, and will encourage the participants to design and build their own intergenerational ‘music toolbox.’
The following day, Friday 1st October, which also marks the International Day of Older Persons, the children and young people will connect with older groups in their community through a fun, creative workshop using the power of music and song-writing as a vehicle into the sharing of stories, culture and heritage, providing agency to feelings surrounding the pandemic and building strong connections and mutual respect and understanding between group members.
The songs created in these workshops will be recorded on location, amplifying the participants’ stories and providing a platform for their voices to be heard.
To find out more please visit: www.togetherwithmusic.org.uk or for further information please contact Caitlyn McCrea Together with Music Connector for the region on 07951 736 905 or e-mail [email protected]
