The Galle Music Festival 2014 presents:

‘MUSIC IS FOR ALL’ Children’s Festival

by Husna Inayathullah

A children’s music festival titled “Music is for All” will be held on March 14 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Martin Wickremasinghe Folk Museum at Koggala. This was made known at a press conference at the Taj Hotel, Colombo on February 21.

Sevalanka Foundation, together with the Royal Nowegian Embassy Rikskonsertene and Aru Sri Art Theatre have been presenting the Galle Music Festival since December 2009 around the Galle Fort. Each year the festival showcases an eclectic array of music including folk, contemporary, classical and fusion performed by local and international bands.

This year the festival is incorporating a separate component for school children studying performing arts in the southern region and others interested can actively experience and participate in organised workshops.

Irrespective of colour, race, religion, ethnicity, physical ability or disability, music is experienced and enjoyed by all. Our land has faced much turmoil, especially during the last few decades in terms of natural and man-made disasters.

In the past, music played a vital role in our culture. Due to various reasons this wholesome, sensible culture started disappearing. It is now time to bring this pure, contagious elixir back to our lives, especially giving it to our children.

Under the concept, “Music is for all”, it hopes to engage children to understand that music is a language that could be learnt and enjoyed.

It’s a universal language that brings communities together promoting harmony.

Music can create an opportunity to experience and respect the similarities and differences of each other’s cultures and can bring solace to our land.

The festival is a platform where children of diverse backgrounds can come together and experience the world of music through interaction and experimentation.

Children as our future ambassadors and leaders can use the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings to build their knowledge in diverse musical expressions available locally and internationally.

The following activities will be organised to convey the message of togetherness by creating an interactive musical and arts platform where students and artists get the opportunity to share their knowledge and views.

Specified-participatory Arts Workshops

The specific-participatory arts workshops will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those studying specific fields of arts in grades 8 – 13 such as dance workshop with upcountry, low country and Sabaragamu dance gurus, drumming workshop with Naadro, music workshop with music matters and vocal training with Ten Sing.

Students who wish to participate should devote their time to attend the whole workshop and follow-up activities. The students should be selected by their subject teachers.

Participatory Music Workshops

The participatory music workshop will be half hour slots running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for students who are interested to participate, watch and learn along with the artists themselves.

This workshop is open to students from grade six to 11 and the items are Aadivasin, Kaffiers, lyric writing and poetry, Muslim traditional group, Nathaswaram and traditional Tamil drumming, puppets, traditional folk singing, traditional Koothu, dubbing workshop and art workshop.

Technical Training Workshops

This category mainly focus on the skills development of Advanced Level students. Sound engineering and music composing workshop and a videography workshop will be organised to increase the knowledge of students in particular fields.

Musical performances for students

The target audience will be the students who come for the festival. The performances will take place on an open stage from 9.30 a.m. Musical groups from Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Norway and Palestine will participate in the festival.

Other activities

There will be several other activities designed to make positive changes in children’s mind and also create a festival atmosphere such as Do you know general knowledge program, nature kids – environment program, face painting, reader's club, let’s unite – graffiti wall for children, magic, origami workshop, send a balloon with a message, karaoke – sing as you can! (Children’s songs) and mimicking.

National nutrition campaign

As the Government aims at making Sri Lanka a nourished nation by 2016, the festival emphasises its importance for school children by giving an opportunity for the National Nutrition Secretariat to create an exhibition and learning space for the children to receive appropriate education on this most important topic.

Art exhibition

Children who are interested in participating are encouraged to take part in the art exhibition titled, “Music is for all” where their art will be displayed at the festival venue on the day of the children’s festival.

This will give children the opportunity to express their feelings and understanding of the above mentioned title as well as see their works of art displayed to the public.

Award presentation

An award will be presented to a person who has served the children of Sri Lanka.

The recipient can be an artist, writer, singer, teacher or social worker. An independent committee will select the awardee. Children will get an opportunity not only to experience popular and common art forms but also a basic introduction to important and creative elements.