Ciste Ciuil - Young Musicians Hebrides
Young Musicians Hebrides
Training
Outcomes
| Ciste Ciuil is Gaelic for 'Music Chest'. It is the name of a project on the islands of Lewis and Harris aimed at providing pre-school music workshops, training and resources in Gaelic. The project is being delivered by Young Musicians Hebrides, an organisation based in Stornoway who provide music making opportunities for young people of all ages throughout Lewis and Harris. |
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There are 16 Gaelic playgroups on Lewis and Harris, and they have all received a 12-week block of music sessions involving Gaelic songs, rhymes and games. Playgroups also received a 'music chest' to accompany the sessions, containing material for session leaders, instruments and equipment for music games such as puppets.
| Sustainability, both for individual projects and the youth music sector as a whole, is central to the Youth Music Initiative. Ciste Ciuil addresses this issue in several ways. Firstly, three music trainees are working with the music leader of the project to deliver sessions. This will not only provide valuable experience for three individuals, but they will be able to use their new skills to improve youth music provision outside the scope of the project. |
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The music trainees have had access to training in both music and Gaelic, but more importantly, play leaders have received training which will allow the music sessions to continue in playgroups once the funded project is complete.
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Secondly, play leaders received training in how to use the equipment in the music chest so that they could participate in the music sessions. Later on, they explored the underlying concepts of the programme and more general ideas of rhyme and rhythm. |
In a remote area like the Western Isles, ensuring that everyone can participate in training is a challenge. Most play leaders involved with Ciste Ciuil have second jobs and so could not attend training except during play group times. This was overcome because musicians worked in every Gaelic playgroup. The music leader and trainees are Gaelic learners, and this has actually benefitted the project as musicians and play leaders have worked more closely together to learn from each others' expertise.
The sessions have been a great success as these comments from playgroups show:
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'One girl in our group was incredibly shy, but through the music sessions, has really come out of her shell.'
'Evidence of high levels of enjoyment and interest...Children encouraged to explore and create their own music.'
Staff have also benefitted:
'All staff in our nursery appreciate the support given - for building our confidence and extending our knowledge and skills.' |
It is planned that the project will leave a legacy of a Gaelic music resource including songs, games and training materials. This is still at a draft stage but has already exceeded Young Musicians Hebrides' initial expectations.
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In addition, there have been some additional outcomes. Ciste Ciuil was devised as a music project, but many play leaders have commented that the sessions have improved children's ability to speak Gaelic. Rhymes and singing provide an excellent way to develop language skills especially when up to 80% of the children in a Gaelic playgroup may not be from Gaelic-speaking homes. |
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How might Ciste Ciuil develop in the future? Jane Gray of Young Musicians Hebrides says, 'We think the further development of the project would be among Gaelic in the community...This reflects our locus in community music making, which could complement new initiatives in Gaelic learning in the community'.
For more information about Young Musicians Hebrides and the Ciste Ciuil project, email Jane Gray. To find out more about the Youth Music Initiative Informal Sector Fund, please visit our funding pages. | |