This project is bringing the truly life-changing benefits of music education to vulnerable at-risk children from disadvantaged areas in Ireland. Each 'Guitars for Kids' project provides children, that otherwise wouldn't get the chance, with weekly professional guitar lessons, twice weekly practise sessions and a series of specialist music workshops in singing, song-writing and live performance. Music education ensures at-risk young people have the opportunity to achieve a brighter future!
Early school leaving and educational disadvantage is a major issue in Ireland. Sadly thousands of young people are failing to progress to secondary school annually and 1 in 6 leaving school before obtaining a Leaving Certificate. Early school leavers are more likely to suffer unemployment and or low rates of pay while their offspring are also more likely to follow in their footsteps and so the circle remains unbroken. The knock on effect can lead many to a life of poverty, addiction and crime.
Music education is known to result in an improved academic performance across all subjects helping to ensure at-risk children stay engaged with school thus benefiting from the long-term impact of a full and rounded education. Music education builds concentration, co-ordination and self-esteem. Fosters creative thinking and problem solving and demonstrates the value of patience and perseverance ensuring every child achieves their full potential over the course of their lifetime.
The greatest investment any society can make is in education for the young! Music education is a gift that will benefit a person throughout their life both personally and professionally. By ensuring a higher standard of education for at-risk children we can directly affect the prospects of those previously at an educational disadvantage, leading to a higher standard of living, vastly improved employment prospects and a more actively engaged community with fewer societal problems.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
