As businesses continue to explore best practices in caring for their employees and maintaining a loyal workforce, a number of forward-thinking organisations have found recreational music making to be a remarkably effective tool.
Based on the New School’s very popular ‘Introducing’ courses and outreach workshops, Music at Work is a unique programme designed to bring music – and all its benefits – right into your workplace.
We have extensive experience running group courses like these both inside and outside the New School, and have provided group music tuition to well over 10,000 adult learners since our founding in 1994.
Why?
The enormous benefits of music education for children have been widely researched, but the benefits for adults are just beginning to be understood. Now more and more forward-thinking companies are working with musicians to solve problems, enhance performance and morale, and help staff with their professional and personal development.
It is to everyone’s advantage to make the workplace a happy place for employees. Quite simply, the more we can ‘play’, have fun and revitalise, the harder and more efficiently we’ll work. Recreational music making has been scientifically proven to reduce employee stress and depression, and improve employee retention. Not only that, it encourages greater interaction, deeper relationships both with colleagues and between junior and senior staff, and creative problem solving.
These short courses offer a unique employee benefit, an innovative approach to corporate team-building, a great social outlet and provide an excellent means to:
- Tap hidden potential and creativity
- Promote communication and listening skills
- Encourage support and trust among employees
Absolutely no previous musical experience is required!
How does it work?
One of our teachers will be assigned to your company for a brief residency (generally ten weeks long, but shorter or longer residencies are possible). He/she will teach weekly one-hour classes which usually take place during business hours (at lunchtime, for example) but can also take place after work. The residency can, if desired, culminate in a performance for other company employees. Residencies can be one-off, they can continue for another period, or you can opt for a different instrument or subject for your next residency.
The Teachers
Our teachers have been carefully selected for their ability to work with and inspire adult learners, as well as their experience with group music tuition.
Facilities Needed
The courses require a staff room or canteen large enough to accommodate the class, a CD player and whiteboard or flipchart with marker. For the bodhrán, guitar and violin courses, participants will need to bring their own instruments, and at least one music stand will be required for every two participants in the guitar and violin courses. (Waltons music shops can provide both instruments and stands at substantial discounts.)
How much does it cost?
Course fees depend on length (number of weeks) and sometimes distance, if a lot of travel time is involved. Our basic fees for ten-week courses taking place in or around Dublin city centre are:
- €1400 for instrumental and singing courses and Company Choir
- €1650 for Samba
This is as little as €140 per participant for most courses. Fees can be paid by the company, by employees, or by contributions from both.
Please contact the school office on (01) 478 1884 or info@newschool.ie with your specific requirements.
Download a Music at Work brochure.
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