Music Matters

Inclusive Community Choir

Newsletter – April 2014

Musical Director: Gráinne O’Grady www.facebook.com/inclusivechoir e: info@musicmatters.ie www.facebook.com/musicmatters2012 M: 087-9803020 www.musicmatters.ie www.twitter.com/InclusiveChoir www.musicmatterschoir.blogspot.ie www.meetup.com/Music-Matters-Inclusive-Choir-Dublin

Rehearsal Venue: MACRO Building, 1 Green St, Dublin 7 (Every Wednesday 7.00 – 9.00 PM)

March was a busy and action packed month for Music Matters Inclusive Community Choir!

As well as our usual rehearsals, we took part in song-writing workshops, watched comedian David O’Doherty in a live show (both in Axis Ballymun), sang at St Michael’s House Special School to mark the start of their “Arts Week” and welcomed the Oregon City High School Choir to Ireland with a performance at Ballymun Civic Centre As we have a number of exciting performances and events lined up, April is promising to be just as busy!

Song-Writing Workshops at Axis Ballymun On Mondays 3rd, 10th, 24th and 31st of March, some members of Music Matters met at Axis Ballymun to participate in Song-Writing Workshops. All workshops were facilitated by Norah Walsh, a composer, music arranger and pianist with Ossia Youth Choir. This is the first phase of a project which will see Music Matters and Ossia record our debut album in the Underground Recording Studios at Axis, with support and funding from Dublin City Council. Song-writing is a very novel concept to many of our members, but the “creative juices” were most certainly flowing after the first session! Our members are most familiar with popular and folk music, particularly upbeat tunes or songs with a strong message. All agreed that our song should have a mixture of themes including happiness, friendship, fear, doubt, love, confidence, frustration, feeling lost, getting back on track and hope.

During the last two sessions, Norah played some simple chords on a piano and our members had to improvise and make up their own words. It was great fun for all involved! Norah will take all the material which our members have contributed, and compose an original song. Everyone at the song-writing workshops has made their mark in shaping what will be a song to represent everything that Music Matters is about. We cannot wait for the whole choir to learn our new song!

The Forget Me Nots – Official Launch The Forget Me Nots – a choir aimed at Older People, especially those with dementia is delighted to announce their official launch!! Tuesday 8th March, 11.00 AM – 12.30 PM Baldoyle Community Hall, (beside old church on the coast) Gráinne O’Grady is Musical Director of this choir and it is the third choir aimed at people with dementia, following on from the success of the two “Musical Memories” choirs in South Dublin For more info: www.forgetmenots.ie or www.facebook.com/forgetmenotsIE

Choir Night Out! David O’Doherty at Axis Ballymun On Wednesday 19th March, our members took a break from our usual rehearsal, to watch comedian David O’Doherty at Axis Ballymun. Our members thought that David’s observations about everyday life were hilarious. We were also delighted when he mentioned us at the end of the show and signed autographs!

St Michael’s House Special National School On Monday 24th March, a combined choir from Work Options at St Michael's House and the Wednesday evening choirs got together to perform at the St Michael's House Special National School in Ballymun. This was to mark the start of "Arts Week", which was taking place in the primary school. This was a very special concert as it is the school many of our choir members attended.

We were delighted to open the “Arts Week” in the school with huge thanks to Melanie McInerney and all the staff there. It was lovely to have all the students & staff joining in with the lyrics & actions for songs such as "Shine Bright like a diamond", "Molly Malone", "A Spoonful of Sugar", "Something Inside So Strong", "Catch a falling star", "Daisy Daisy", and "This little light of mine"

Visit from Oregon City High School Choir On Wednesday 26th March, Music Matters had the privilege of participating in a performance by the Oregon City High School Choir, during their visit to Ireland. The visiting choir took part in a creative arts workshop at Axis Ballymun, before moving to the beautiful setting of the Ballymun council chambers; for a wonderful evening with our friends from Ossia Youth Choir and members of Music Matters

Ossia Youth Choir We were truly amazed by the talent, spirit and enthusiasm from young singers from “both sides of the pond”. A fabulous evening was had by all, and we wish everyone involved with Oregon City High School Choir the very best of luck with their choral endeavours.

Oregon City High School Choir

Sing-A-Thon! (Sponsored Singing Event) Music Matters is delighted to announce the return of – Sing-a-Thon! Sunday 27th April (1.00 – 5.00 PM), The Beerhouse, Capel St, Dublin 1 Choir members will be looking for sponsorship to sing & have music for 4 hours straight (in relays)....we are looking for bands, choirs, singers, musicians to get involved. It's sure to be great fun for a fantastic cause! We also need volunteers to help with organising the event, advertisement & PR, admin, photography, video, support work on the day as well as activities such as face painting, nail painting, angel/ tarot card readings, short massage treatments etc. If you can support us in any way, please email us at info@musicmatters.ie