Liber8ing Young Local Talent

18.05.18

Business, Life, Love The Liberties

The Liberties received good news today with the announcement that a unique and ground-breaking pilot afterschool music programme is to continue into the 2018-2019 academic year. Titled ‘The Liber8 Music Project’, the initial pilot programme was launched in September 2017, representing an exciting first-time collaboration for The Digital Hub with BIMM Institute Dublin. The 10-week music programme was designed for 14 – 16 year olds living within and around the Liberties area of Dublin 8, who may have limited exposure to music and digital media. To date, forty participants have now completed the successful pilot.

Today’s announcement coincided with the graduation of twenty young musical graduates who completed the most recent run of The Liber8 Music Project. To mark the occasion, these latest graduates displayed their new-found talents at a live showcase event held in the BIMM Institute. In addition to playing music produced during the programme, which demonstrates their creativity and newly acquired digital skills, the young participants formed distinct bands to perform two well-known hits as well as a vocalist medley.

The programme gives young people the opportunity to engage with some of Dublin’s most well-known musicians as tutors to the students, including Kieran McGuinness, lead singer and guitarist from Delorentos and Louise McNamara, vocalist and guitarist in the twin sister duo group Heathers.

Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive Officer at The Digital Hub commented on the success of the programme:

“We are delighted with the success of this initial pilot programme and we are committed to providing continued support for this initiative with our local partner, BIMM Institute Dublin. ‘The Liber8 Music Project’ allows young people to immerse themselves in a creative environment, whilst being introduced to some of the 21st Century Skills necessary to support their future careers. We believe programmes like this are essential for young people in the local community.”

Over the course of 10 weeks, young people completed three modules. The ‘Music Styles’ module brought participants on a journey through various styles of music, what they sound like and what they mean. In the ‘Introduction to Performance Techniques’ module, the young people were introduced to a number of musical instruments to use including the guitar, bass, drums or vocals, culminating with a live performance at the end of the programme. Finally, in the ‘Introduction to Recording and Sound Design’ module, participants explored the use of technology to make the music they love.

Speaking on behalf of BIMM Institute Dublin, Alan Cullivan, College Principal at BIMM Institute Dublin said:

“With The Liber8 Music Project, BIMM Institute Dublin aims to play a part in exposing students from Dublin 8 to life at a third level college with the aim of reinforcing the idea that attending college is an attractive option, as well as a realistic goal. The first term of Liber8 went so well and BIMM Institute Dublin are delighted to be associated with this project alongside The Digital Hub. Liber8 gives young people the opportunity to access their musical creativity and encourages them to develop their interests and skills. It opens up opportunities for them and helps them to realise that they can further their musical interests.”

The name of this programme – The Liber8 Music Project – was inspired by the community in which The Digital Hub and BIMM are based; The historic Liberties area of Dublin 8. It is one of Dublin City’s most colourful and creative communities, and its young residents had an opportunity to unleash their creativity in this digital learning programme, with a musical focus.

The Liber8 Music Project has been rolled out as part of The Digital Hub’s range of community learning initiatives within the Liberties area of Dublin 8. Interested young people considering a career in the music industry can find out when the next intake of applications opens by visiting The Digital Hub’s website at www.thedigitalhub.com/liber8musicproject or by emailing info@thedigitalhub.com.

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Photographed at the latest Liber8 Music Project showcase event from left to right: Milo Moynihan (16), St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School, Dublin 8, Fiach Mac Conghail, Chief Executive Officer at The Digital Hub and Andreea Aenasoaei (16), St James’s Street School, Dublin 8.

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Photographed at the latest Liber8 Music Project showcase event from left to right: Alan Cullivan, College Principal at BIMM Institute Dublin, Milo Moynihan (16), St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School, Dublin 8, Kieran McGuinness, Course Director, The Liber8 Music Project, and lead singer/guitarist from the Irish band Delorentos, along with Andreea Aenasoaei (16), St James’s Street School, Dublin 8.

Images courtesy of The Digital Hub.

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