Galway’s MusicConnects, which works to foster music education and creative engagement, has been delivering a pioneering programme to 1,000 children across 50 primary school classrooms across Galway.

Learning to Listen was developed in collaboration with composer and musician Anna Mullarkey. It involved adapting a school-based programme, Visual Thinking Strategies, that was developed by New York’s Museum of Modern Arts  (MoMA) .

Redesigned for music, it helps children explore and express their experience of sound and music critically and creatively. Each classroom received two visits from a trained facilitator whose methods were observed by teachers. They then followed up with three further lessons, supported by programme resources.

“This programme allows children to engage with music in a deeply personal and reflective way, encouraging critical listening and expression without leading them to a predetermined answer,” says Anna Mullarkey.

Early evaluation shows a positive responses from pupils and facilitators.

Children spoke about feeling inspired and relaxed by experiencing live music. Several said the learned new ways of hearing and of expressing what they’d heard. Others described how the workshops encouraged imagination and emotional awareness.

“I really relax when I listen to music and it helps me think of what I am hearing,” said one pupil while another spoke of the “nice pictures in my head” created by the music.

Pupils were highly engaged throughout, with a mix of active participation and quiet listening time, according to the evaluation. Some were unsure how to respond at first to this new way of learning, but as sessions progressed, they began to embrace the questioning and discovery.

Favourite moments included hearing live music, learning about instruments, closing their eyes to listen deeply and using games like ‘pass the beat’ to explore rhythm and coordination.

Many connected what they heard to memories, feelings or visual stories.

Nine local facilitators have now been trained in this method, ensuring that Learning to Listen not only reaches children this year, but that it leaves a lasting legacy. Funded by the AIB Community Fund in 2024, the programme is currently seeking additional support to sustain and expand its groundbreaking work.

For more information about Learning to Listen and MusicConnects, visit www.musicconnects.ie.