Gow Ayrn - music book launched for schools

Gow Ayrn - music book launched for schools

Tue, 22 Jan 2008

A new Manx music resource for infant and primary schools was launched by the Manx Heritage Foundation. (January 2008) Gow Ayrn (Join In) is a collection of over 40 Manx songs, tunes and dances selected to complement the national curriculum for music. Produced by Manx Music Specialist, Dr. Chloe Woolley, Gow Ayrn has been designed for music coordinators and non-musicians alike, for use in the classroom and for extra-curricular activities. As well as encouraging an awareness of local culture, the presentation of the Manx repertoire also supports the philosophies of the Voices Foundation, a revolutionary teaching methodology currently being introduced by the IOM Music Service. Furthermore, much of the musical material can be linked to the other Manx curriculum schemes of work produced by the IOM Department of Education (History, Geography and Religious Education) and will aid Manx Gaelic lessons. The resource book is accompanied by a CD, which provides demonstrations of the songs with Manx pronunciation where necessary, dance accompaniments and listening examples. As well as some well known Manx songs, Gow Ayrn also features less familiar songs relating to the Isle of Man, some of which were transcribed from old manuscripts from the Manx National Heritage Library or reconstructed from incomplete lyrics or melodies. The book will be distributed to all Island schools. Manx music is increasingly becoming more integrated into school life. A scheme of work designed by Dr. Woolley for secondary schools has been employed for the past two years, and Culture Vannin (formerly the Manx Heritage Foundation) and other groups regularly provide workshops and events for all levels of education. For more information contact Chloe at: chloe@culturevannin.im

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