ARTIST: Karl Burthom
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE: Music
I have been employed by Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB working in music education since 2007.
Through the ETB I am employed as a music tutor with Music Generation Sligo (since 2011) and Youthreach Sligo (2010).
My work with both bodies involves teaching a variety of instruments to young people. With Music Generation Sligo I have been involved along with the other tutors in creating and developing the various programmes that we offer.
These programmes involve not only instrumental tuition but also offer insights into the fundamentals of how music works, music history, composition and performance.
I compose music and was asked to compose a piece in 2020 for the Our World Our Sligo Creative Composition project. The piece is completed and was written to feature young musicians of the area. The piece was based on the W.B.Yeats poem, He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven. (Due to Covid restrictions no performance has yet been possible.)
I also teach guitar with the Sligo Academy of Music.
I gained a Diploma in Community and Group Music Education as well as Grade 8 in Classical Guitar (distinction) from The Royal Irish Academy of Music.
In 2020 I was selected as an artist to participate in the Teacher Artist Partnership scheme. I was paired with Miss Towey and the children of 2nd class in The Mercy Primary School in Sligo.
The aim was to work collaboratively with the teacher and students to deliver a creative musical experience. To this end we decided to compose a piece of music. The performance of this piece involved the children singing, playing musical instruments and using physical movement. The journey from day one involved creating visual art, listening to the works of great composers, myself showcasing clarinet, violin and guitar, creating graphic scores, an introduction to standard musical notation, creating the lyrics for the song as well as the melody.
This project was a hugely memorable and rewarding experience. Teachers , S.N.A.s and children all engaged fully with the aims.