IMC announces 2019 Music Rights Awards winner

The school will receive a certificate and a representative will be invited to make a brief presentation on the project at the IMC World Forum on Music in Paris, France, from 28 September to 1 October.

The annual award is usually given to a programme or project that supports in an exemplary way the Five Music Rights proclaimed by the IMC.

Since 2006, the Scoil Úna Naofa Violin and Orchestra Project has given pupils, parents and community members the opportunity to benefit from free instrument tuition, music theory and participation in performing ensembles.

So far, the project has seen 1 000 children learn to play an instrument. The project has also maintained the participation of ex-pupils in their adulthood.

“I was familiar with projects at schools in disenfranchised urban and rural areas," International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) repertoires and creators relations director Silvina Munich, who chaired the selection panel of experts, said upon congratulating Scoil Úna Naofa on winning the award. “Learning to play and listening to music lets children dream of better futures.

“Music was the social elevator to lift them out to better days. I never heard of a project doing the same for adults (their parents in this case!). This project demonstrates the transformational power of music and its impact on society. It is entirely in line with the Five Music Rights proclaimed by the IMC."