Music in Healthcare Settings: Introductory Course for Musicians in Meath and Louth

Music in Healthcare Settings is a three-day introductory course led by Kids’ Classics, taking place from 12-14 May. The course is aimed at musicians in Meath and Louth who are interested in exploring the idea of bringing music into healthcare and community spaces with a focus on residential 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.

This training programme is being delivered in partnership with Meath County Council Arts Office and Create Louth, the Arts Service of Louth County Council. The introductory training will be facilitated by Gráinne Hope and Liam Merriman, qualified trainers with national and international experience of working in hospitals and healthcare.

Aims of the Course 

• To introduce a new skill set that supports musicians working in community and healthcare settings
• To explore opportunities in this field of practice for working musicians living in Meath and Louth (e.g. versatile singers and instrumentalists such as singer/guitarist, harpist/singer etc.)
• To identify musicians at a regional level who would be interested in pursuing further training in the practice of music and healthcare in the North-East Region.

The Training Notes introductory programme seeks to:

• Understand the role of a healthcare musician and the appropriate placement of music in sensitive settings.
• Explore the skill set and best practice methods necessary to deliver quality interactions in healthcare spaces and nursing homes.

The training includes a music visit to a healthcare setting (Meath/Louth) subject to settings clearance on the day of the visit.

Course details
Dates / Times: 12-14 May / 9.45am – 4.30pm
Location: Creative Spark, Louth
Course Fee: €75 * (includes a light lunch each day)

*Musicians from Meath/Louth can avail of this opportunity at a nominal cost of €75. This is made possible thanks to the generous support of Meath and Louth County Council Arts Offices.

Application Process
Closing date for applications: Friday 29 April.

Applicants will need to complete an online application form. The brief and information on the application process can be found here.