Mobile recording studio on the Ródaí
Students across Cavan and Monaghan were singing for joy last week at the launch of their very own mobile recording studio in the form of a van.
An Ródaí.cm will be run by Music Generation, Ireland's National Music Education Programme, which helps children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition locally.
“It means that they’ll have the opportunity to engage with music production not just music performance and create their own music with our professionals and we can help them to do that,” says music development officer, Maggie Maguire, at the official launch at Cavan Institute.
“Music production has become a massive part of the music industry and it is important for Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan to be able to create a programme that is accessible and inclusive to open up a world of music-making for children and young people who may not otherwise have had the chance to experience it,” she adds.
The aim of this new mobile recording studio is to support children and young people to make and learn music in creative, diverse and inclusive ways. This recording studio will enable Music Generation to reach a much wider audience, especially as Cavan and Monaghan are both rural counties.
“The reason we got it is so we can hit as many areas in Monaghan and Cavan to support children and young people on their journey to music,” continues Maggie.
By creating access to a brand-new state of the art studio, Music Generation Cavan/Monaghan will be able to provide learners the opportunity to record, mix, master and produce their own music just like many of the famous musicians with support from expert technicians. This will offer a greater understanding of the processes required, which will also help learners decide if they wish to continue this strand of musical creativity into third level education.
“We believe that making and performing music should be a joyful experience that has the potential to transform children and young people’s lives in many possible ways,”says Maggie.
The launch of An Ródaí.cm was marked by a special performance from children from Aughadreena National School who joined in the celebrations by performing a selection of Christmas Songs from their Music Generation Vocal Programme under the direction of music educator, Rachel McCabe.
An Ródaí.cm will also be available for hire with a professional engineer for musicians wishing to record, mix or master their music in a state-of-the-art environment.