Educational Outreach Programme
Throughout its 30 year history, Yn Chruinnaght has striven to involve local schools in the celebrations, through competition, performance opportunities, practical workshops and school concerts given by the visiting groups. Today, the competitive side of Manx culture is covered by a specific festival called 'Cruinnaght Aeg' (Department of Education), performance opportunities are provided by the Easter youth music festival 'Shennaghys Jiu', and workshops on the various aspects of Manx culture are organised regularly by the Manx Heritage Foundation and as part of the 'Cooish' Manx language festival.
The school performances from the visiting inter-Celtic groups, however, remain of particular importance to Yn Chruinnaght. Because the festival often falls within the school summer term, these special school performances bring Yn Chruinnaght to those who might not otherwise experience Celtic culture or know about the festival. The chance to see musicians and dancers from other countries perform also informs youngsters about the Isle of Man's inter-Celtic status and the relationships between our languages and cultures.
In recent times, a specific week of Yn Chruinnaght school visits and workshops has been held in advance of the main festival. This has ensured that more schools can be visited and specialist instrumental workshops can be provided for older students. With financial assistance from the Department of Education and organisation by the Manx Heritage Foundation, Yn Chruinnaght aims to bring over a student group each year from one of the traditional music and dance courses offered at universities in the UK and Eire. This week also provides invaluable work experience for the students.
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During the period 18-22 June 2007, three students from the Folk and Traditional Music degree course at Newcastle University visited some of the Island’s schools to demonstrate traditional music, song and dance from Scotland, England and Ireland. The talented trio consisted of Carly Blain from the Scottish Borders [fiddle & piano], Michelle Broderick from Lancashire [fiddle and clog dancing] and Lucy Farrell from Kent [fiddle and voice]. |
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Interestingly, Michelle's clog dancing skills are classified as percussion for the purposes of the course! |
2006: Five students from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (University of Limerick) visited, under the name 'Na Deabhail' [The Divils].
For more information on the school visits and workshops, please contact Dr. Chloe Woolley, Manx Music Specialist for the Manx Heritage Foundation: manxmusicspecialist@mhf.org.im