Cultural talent among the young will be celebrated at the first ever Department of Education and Children Manx Folk Awards.
‘The awards will keep alive the tradition started by the Cruinnaght Aeg competitions that have run for several years and have always provided an important focal point for Manx music-making in schools,’ said Jo Callister, the awards’ organiser. ‘The Manx Folk Awards will continue to provide this important opportunity for young musicians and performers to learn from what others are doing around the Island.’
Pupils in all five Key Stages will converge on the iMuseum, Douglas, between 26th and 28th March to take part.
‘The competitions are focused on Manx music, dance, poetry and song and are informal,’ said Jo. ‘It’s a great way to celebrate our wonderful cultural heritage and showcase the talent we have among pupils.’
There are 36 categories, including solo, duet and group singing, including songs in Manx Gaelic as well as English; solo, couple and team dancing (including, in older key stages, dances to original compositions); instrumental solo, duet and group performances (including, in Key Stage 2, folk and whistle) and recitations of poems on a Manx theme or in a Manx dialect.
A full syllabus and details of how schools can enter can be found on the DEC’s wiki at
https://www2.sch.im/groups/manxcurriculum/wiki/48619/The_DEC_Manx_Folk_Awards_2012__.html or can be requested from Jo by emailing j.callister@doe.sch.im or ringing 686281.
The closing date for entries is Friday 17th February.
The awards are being run in partnership with the Manx Heritage Foundation and Manx National Heritage.
Dr Andrew Foxon, of Manx National Heritage, said: ‘MNH is delighted to be working with the Department of Education and Children and the Manx Heritage Foundation for the Manx Folk Awards. The Isle of Man is rightly proud of the liveliness of our song, dance and music-making, as well as the cultural heritage and traditions on which they draw. We look forward to hosting an exciting set of events in March and wish schools well with their preparation.’
Parents can follow the awards via the Facebook group Aundyryn Kiaull-Theay Vannin DEC Manx Folk Awards.
‘Manx culture is thriving in our schools and there are some talented soloists and groups, being nurtured along by teachers,’ Jo said. ‘This will be a wonderful gathering of all that is Manx.’
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