Mini Maestros reach as far as Belgium with online class
THERE are many shows, many YouTube channels, which promise to keep your child entertained while you try and get a bit of work done during lockdown. But how many will reference your child by name as part of the show?
That’s just part of the interactive experience being offered by Mini Maestros online which launched last week.
Ordinarily operating out of Wexford Arts Centre, this interactive music workshop has now taken to Zoom and is welcoming friends, new and old, for two free classes a week.
Launched in conjuction with Music Generation Wexford, these online workshops are hosted by Aileen Donohue and Peter McCamley, both professional musicians with many years experience in performance music education.
Designed for toddlers and their parents, the first online class was held last Wednesday morning and saw 23 children take part in a dynamic music session from the comfort of their own homes.
‘It went really well,’ said Aileen, ‘I mean, we hadn’t even heard of Zoom six weeks ago but the sound worked well, everyone could hear and was able to take part.
‘We’re trying to make sure it stays like a class, we like to call out their names, say well done, things like that. We sing a greeting song which includes all their names, it makes it more personal.’
But Mini Maestros online is not just about singing and dancing, there’s a creative element to it too.
‘For this week’s challenge we asked them to make shakers, which they made using rice and a jar,’ says Aileen. ‘And next week’s challenge will be more difficult, they’ll have to make some drums.’
With participants from as far away as Brussels, Aileen and Peter are eager to spread the joy and involve as many children as possible.
‘Anyone can join, just email us on musicgenerationwexford@wwetb.ie and we’ll get back to you. The classes are free for the next few weeks, we’ve had a huge response so far.’
And, having been forced to go online with their classes, Peter believes this will change the way he and Aileen work in the future.
‘We’d always wanted to take the classes in a different direction, and this situation has forced us to think outside the box. We’ve been writing a lot of new songs, tailoring them specifically for this. It’s like the RTÉ home hub but it’s more interactive.
‘We always had aspirations to expand Mini Maestros but were limited in what we could do, I think this will be something we’ll continue to do in the future, even after the restrictions are lifted,’ he said.