The Music Project: transforming lives of children with better opportunities

The western band of Sri Gunananda Kanishta Vidyalaya in Mawathagama practicing with a teacher of the Music Project

The marching band of the Palinagar Maha Vidyalayam, Mullaitivu welcoming the chief guests at their school sports meet

Twice a week 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, have blossomed with their music making and it 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 for the last three years by the Tokyo Cement Group, 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 have very limited opportunity and exposure towards teaching music to children. 

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. 

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 valued members where each player has a role.

The Music Project program 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. 

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 for each other’s communities among participants. 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 program. The Project, whose work is predominantly centred in the North Central and Eastern Provinces, has engaged over 80 school teachers and provided music lessons for over 3,000 children, 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 gives 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 program 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 in developing skills for a successful future. 

Inspired by the phenomenal Venezuelan ‘El Sistema’ Orchestra which enables children access to the world of music, camaraderie and empowerment, Music Project Trustee Shalini Wickramasuriya said: “Through our initiative we want children to 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 program brings joys and challenges of making music together, to children who otherwise would not have the opportunity and thus 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 nor 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 programs 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. 

Tokyo Cement too hosted a group of students of The Music Project to a tour of their manufacturing plant in Trincomalee, with the view of opening up their horizons with exposure to the corporate world and to motivate them to reach their fullest potential as our future leaders.

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 program, 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 programs on music for social cohesion. 

A dedicated UNV assists the program working on youth in leadership, engaging and empowering them as peace-building agents of change. The program has focused on encouraging children to think about the community, their identity as united citizens of Sri Lanka and to think critically about the future of Sri Lanka. 

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.