The Traditional Music & Dance Development Network
Nollaig Ó Fiongháile - Chairperson - Traditional Music and Dance Development Network
Initiated in July 1998, the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network is an organisation of interested organisations, individuals and professionals working in the field, and associated fields of traditional music and dance. The network functions as an independent organisation, which aims to initiate actions and to promote the development of opportunities for the Traditional Music and Dance Community, both amateur and professional.
The work of the network is based on the understanding that developmental processes must be woven into the promotion of traditional music and dance to accommodate the aspirations and needs of traditional performers today and to create a society to respect and validate traditional culture on it's own terms. Our work is based on development practice and principles that has been increasingly in evidence in other sectors in Ireland, such as the community and voluntary sector. In this way, our organisation works to fill a gap in Irish cultural affairs, which is not being addressed to date and in so doing, avoiding the replication of work we see in evidence by other major organisations concerned with traditional music in Ireland today. We aim to make a major contribution with other partners in the field, to develop the infrastructure concerned with not just Irish traditional music, but to assist in the development of representation and support for the increasing emigrant and minority traditions in evidence in Ireland today.
In order to meet this aim, the network was established to provide an opportunity for actors in the field of traditional music to work collectively, to initiate actions and to promote the development of opportunities for the Traditional Music and Dance Community, both amateur and professional. The research project, 'An Analysis of the Needs of the Traditional Music Sector in Ireland Today' was an important first step to assist the work of the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network. Our immediate concern was to draw from the range of experience we had available to us to produce a document which would accomplish the following three objectives; i. To identify priorities for future action towards the progression of opportunities for the traditional music and dance sector; ii.To inform the work of the network in the different areas of activity in the traditional music and dance sector and iii. To provide a basis from which the network may engage in the organisation of cooperative actions. This research provided us the opportunity to have a development phase to create the groundwork, from which a programme of activity could be developed in our next phase from 2002 - 2005.
The key defining feature of the network is a broad based analysis of cultural issues which is inclusive of minority, immigrant traditions that will cross community and ethnic divides. The network has a significant role to play in contributing to the development of an Ireland, which is multicultural and inclusive. In addition, the network seeks to make constructive links with the relevant sector of other traditional cultures to address issues of mutual concern, which central to the problems facing traditional communities in a European and world community context.
The Traditional Music and Dance Development Network works within the broader policy context concerning the arts, at a national and European level, which has as it's focus, the promotion of activities which reflect the development needs of the sector, the promotion of artistic expression and innovation, the development of professional contexts for artists, and the facilitation of participation and access to opportunities in the arts.
Review of Programme 1999 - 2001
i. Development Plan
In July 1998, an initial proposal was developed towards applying for funding to support the development of a report, which would identify priority actions for the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network. Funding was resourced from the Irish Music Rights Organisation to organise meetings and administrate the development of this report and to develop the capacity of the Network itself for future action.
The research project 'An Analysis of the Needs of the Traditional Music Sector' began with its first meeting, in Galway, May 1999. Representative individuals from the traditional music and dance community, who were experienced in particular fields of activity in the Irish music tradition, were invited. It was a dynamic meeting, where the need for a unifying approach to tackling issues of concern to the traditional community, was repeatedly voiced. An immediate concern was to resource the required funding to carry out an extensive consultation process with the traditional music and dance community towards identifying the needs of this community through a process of meaningful participation and consultation. However, it was agreed to progress on the opportunity available to us and that a provisional document would be developed that would guide our future work together and provide a resource for future research and development. It was decided that each member of the research group would contribute a paper on their area of expertise, towards the research. The research document 'An Analysis of the Needs of the Traditional Music Sector' is now complete and available to interested organisations and individuals.
ii. European Network of Traditional Music and Dance
Members of the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network have participated in the establishment of the European Network of Traditional Music and Dance and are currently members of the board of directors, the executive committee and working groups. The European Network is a transnational project of institutions, associations and individuals working for the development of traditional music and dance in Europe. In 1997, the network was initiated by the French network titled FAMDT (Federation of Folk Music & Dance Societies) who contacted people from a number of European countries with a purpose to organise a conference in Perpignan, France and to work towards the setting up of a European collaborative network for folk music and dance.
In 1999, the network became constituted, with a newly elected board, a designated worker and office space located in Parthenay, France. It has hosted a number of events and developed a programme of activity for the upcoming three years. The European Network has now received funding for its three-year programme 2001 - 03 under the European Commission Culture 2000 funding programme. In 2001, the network launched its triennial project, which embodies five components: information and new technologies; transmission and education; supporting young artists; the distribution and dissemination of works and the organisation of gatherings, seminars and conferences. The Network membership now includes some thirty associations from fifteen different countries. In 1999, it launched the European Route to Traditional Music and Dance, it publishes a bi-annual newsletter and acts as a representative for the traditional music and dance sector to the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
iii. Organisational Framework
In October 1997, Irish delegates contributed to the organisation, with FAMDT (Federation of Folk Music & Dance Societies), of a conference in Perpignan, France, to work towards the setting up of a European collaborative network for folk music and dance. Following this conference, work was progressed to provide, in Ireland, an organisation for the development of opportunities for the traditional music and dance sector at home and to ensure effective participation in the European network.
Since July 1998, The 'Traditional Music and Dance Development Network' has been established, constituted, with an interim management board, and registered as a limited company. The Traditional Music and Dance Development Network have been successful in developing a programme of activity and in resourcing funding from e.g. The Irish Music Rights Organisation and the European Network of Traditional Music and Dance to support it's projects. A strong steering group emerged to guide our progress and has contributed both in time and in content to the development of the Network. This group, identified below, has encompassed a variety of skills to advise and enable the completion of our research project, and to represent the Irish network at a national and European level. They have given generously of their time and ability, on a voluntary basis, towards establishing the first steps in our effort to provide a medium for collective action for cultural action in the field of Traditional Music in Ireland.
Project Steering Group (1999 - 2001).
Nollaig Ó Fiongháile: Musician. Educational Development Director, Foinn Chonallacha Teoranta. Údaras na Gaeltachta, Co Dhún na nGall. John Coll: Formerly Arts Officer, Co. Mayo. Dr. Liz Doherty; Musician. Formerly of National University of Ireland, Cork. Tomas McElroy; Musician. Coordinator. Andersown Contemporary & Traditional Music Centre. Belfast. John Moulden; Musician. Folksong Collector & Author. Antrim. Nóirín Ní Gradaigh. Musician. Éamon Ó Caoláin; Supervisor. Cultural Heritage Project, Pavee Point Travellers Centre. Dublin. Brían Ó hÚiginn. Musician. Company Director.Foinn Chonallacha Teoranta. Údaras na Gaeltachta, Co Dhún na nGall. Lillis O Laoire; Musician. Lecturer. University of Limerick.
Programme of Activities for 2002
The following is an outline of a programme of actions, which the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network intends to undertake.
1. To plan, co-ordinate and implement a conference on 'Transmission & Education Provision in Traditional Music for Adult, Third level, and Further Education. This conference scheduled for Galway, May 4th - 5th 2002, will aim to explore concepts and issues concerning transmission and education provision in traditional music in an European context, and to provide recommendations for future development and provision of education programmes in traditional music for university and professional level.
2. To carry out a research project on educational methods employed for training and transmission of traditional music for adult, third level and further education, in Europe. The research project will provide an inventory of projects and institutions concerned with the provision of courses in traditional music, an analysis of current methodologies in use and the issues arising as identified by current providers in the field, and recommendations for development of programmes and methodologies in training and transmission of traditional music.
3. Organisation of Concert of European Youth Folk Orchestra, Town Hall Theatre, Galway, May 3rd , 2002.
4. To contribute to the development and work of the European Network of Folk Music and Dance in its current programme of activity 2000 - 2003. Ongoing commitments include representation on the executive, the Board of Directors and working groups of the Network.
The Traditional Music and Dance Development Network advocates that through the identification of unified strategies, the traditional music sector can develop further its capacity to make a valuable contribution to the social, economic and cultural activity in Ireland and, in turn, being cognizant of the economic benefits earned from traditional music, to ensure the potential return and provision of resources for the benefit of the artistic and community life of Ireland today. In our efforts to take a proactive role in our future and to identify the interventions we require, we must aspire to seek creative and culturally appropriate solutions and to seek meaningful consultation, and to be ever mindful of the essence of our culture and artistic identity.
"Fluidity is essential in our enterprise, in order to avoid the repetition of mistakes, which have had detrimental effects on the song tradition and on music in general. A structure that promotes traditional music and dance in a positive way will recognise the tensions between itself and the centrifugal nature of creativity and will strive to accommodate that. This will be a challenge and will call for renewal and openness from all its members"( L.O Laoire).
At a crucial time in our development, the Traditional Music and Dance Development Network received funding and professional support from the Irish Music Rights Organisation to support our programme of activities and our contribution to the European Network of Traditional Music and Dance. We look forward to progressing our work programme in 2002 and beyond, and we encourage further financing from funding agencies to support our development in the future.
We invite interested persons and organisations to contact our office and to participate in our programme of activities in 2002. We look forward to working in partnership with organisations in the field of cultural development and to mutually progressing our work in the different areas of activity underway, in the field today.
Traditional Music and Dance Development Network
Contact Person: Nollaig Ó Fiongháile
Address: C/o Fionn Chonallacha Teoranta. Teach Bháile Chonaill, An Fál Charrach, Co Dhún na nGall.
Telephone/Fax / Email ++ 353 74 - 80878 / tmddf@iol.ie
Traditional Music and Dance Development Network
Management Officers: Chairperson: Nollaig O Fiongháile, Co-chair: Dr. Liz Doherty, Secretary: Brian O hÚigínn, Treasurer: John Moulden.
