Twice weekly, students of Gunananda MV, Kurunegala and Palinagar MV, Mullaitivu gather in makeshift music rooms in their respective schools for lessons in orchestral and school band instruments.
Today, the familiar strains of classical music emanate from these rooms; for these young children who previously did not have access to music education, music making has helped them blossom, and has inspired and uplifted their lives; The Music Project has nurtured this renaissance.
Gunananda MV, Kurunegala and Palinagar MV, Mullaitivu are the two schools sponsored by Tokyo Cement Group for the last three years, to receive music lessons through the charitable foundation ‘The Music Project’. The initiative works in rural schools assigned by the Ministry of Education, that are often ill-equipped with the required facilities, infrastructure and very limited opportunity and exposure towards teaching children music.
Tokyo Cement engaged in a two-year sponsorship supporting over 200 students in three schools to enhance their music education. This sponsorship has enabled children to engage in music lessons full-time. Students are also able visit The Company’s production facilities in Trincomalee in order to foster motivation and opportunity on their journey with music. The Project provides an educational initiative which is non-competitive, holistic and nurturing, where children gain motivation and confidence. The children progress at their own pace and participate in an orchestral community as a valued member where each player has a role.
The Music Project programme founded over a decade ago was designed to help transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people by supporting and fostering personal growth and artistic development, helping them achieve their full potential through engagement and progression in music- making.
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The western band of Sri Gunananda Kanishta Vidyalaya in Mawathagama practicing with a Teacher of The Music Project
In building orchestral communities in the North and South of Sri Lanka, the Music Project aims to bring harmony among ethnic groups, develop lifelong friendships, whilst cultivating respect among participants about each other’s communities. In the absence of a shared language for dialogue and conversation, music serves as an intrinsic link between communities.
To-date the Music Project has engaged seven schools with over 500 student participants in the core orchestra programme. The Project, whose work is predominantly centered in the Northcentral and Eastern provinces, has engaged over 80 school teachers and provided music lessons for over 3000 children, ranging from schools as far as Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Galle.
While many of these children hail from rural farming families who engage in casual labour, the project provides them an opportunity to rise above their limited circumstances, and give them a chance to pursue a passion that can lead the way for better exposure and choices in alternative careers and vocations.
The Music Project not only provides free lessons and instruments to the children but also drives motivation, enhances confidence and self-esteem. Additionally, the programme ensures flexibility enabling youth to progress at their own pace building values of musical excellence, teamwork and general community wellbeing. Through the Music Project, the youth are also exposed to future prospects and alternative opportunities developing skills for a successful future.
The marching band of the Palinagar Maha Vidyalayam, Mullaitivu welcoming the chief guests at their school sports meet
Inspired by the phenomenal Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’ Orchestra which enables children access to the world of music, camaraderie and empowerment, Trustee of The Music Project, Shalini Wickramasuriya said, “Through our initiative we want children take the lead in the peace building process. We hope to empower them to be agents of change, healing, and peace, among their peers and in their communities. We trust our programme brings joys and challenges of making music together to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity and build a lifelong appreciation for the beauty and importance of music.
Motivated by their children’s progress, parents too have voiced support and admiration for the Project. Kathirakamanathan whose son attends Palinagar MV in Mallavi, Mullaitivu said, “The Project has completely transformed my child’s interest in music. The school did not have facilities, neither a subject teacher. However, after the Project began, they now have proper instruments and he is an enthusiastic young musician. We are indebted to all those involved in the project.”
Wathsala’s daughter Kajini attends Gunananda MV of Kurunegala and she voiced similar sentiments. “My daughter has learnt to play the violin and I am extremely happy with her progress. If not for the Music Project she would not have received such an exciting opportunity to learn and benefit from. We hope the Project continues to support our children,” she said.
Throughout the years, the project’s orchestral programmes have achieved national prominence. Winning the Ministry of Education Western Music competitions for recorder and orchestra, showcasing special performances at music festivals around the country and being featured on BBC are noteworthy milestones.
In recognition of Music Project’s demonstrated use of the positive power of music education, many organisations continually support its cause. The Yamaha Project, spearheaded by both Yamaha and the Music Project promote an island-wide Recorder programme, spreading music across Sri Lanka. Yamaha donates 100 recorders monthly while the Music Projects conducts teacher training, and equip teachers with an educational pack.
JICA supports the Project through long-term residential music teachers who teach specialist instruments. They also regularly donate musical instruments through their ‘Smiles for All’ initiative.
UNICEF and Plan International have also assisted through pilot programmes on music for social cohesion. A dedicated UNV assists the programme working on youth in leadership, engaging and empowering them as peace-building agents of change. The programme has focused on encouraging children to think about the community, their identity as united citizens of Sri Lanka and to think critically about the Sri Lanka which is their future.
Musicians Without Borders, Japan (via JICA) support the project through special workshops and musical instruments. The Music Project has also partnered with ‘Beyond Skin’ of Northern Ireland on a parallel versing project sponsored by The Esufally Family Foundation, to develop an understanding of sectarianism.
