traditional irish ol, amhrÁin ag music, song and …
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TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE FOR SCHOOLS
!OL, AMHRÁIN AG" DAMHSA T#IDI$Ú%A NA hÉI&'N DO S(IL)NNA
Comhaltas Schools Outreach CSO is an initiative that promotes the teaching and understanding of traditional Irish music, song and dance in national schools around the country.
Backed by the traditional music organisation, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, CSO gives children a deeper understanding of our rich Irish culture and works with schools and class teachers to achieve this.
CSO FACILITATING PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITH TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC
CSO GIVES CHILDREN A DEEP INTEREST AND UNDERSTANDING OF IRISH CULTURE
HOW CSO WORKSÁr gCeol
Ár nOidhreacht
A CSO music teacher visits each group within a school once a week, during school hours, for a 26–30 week period (a trial period of 10 weeks is also available)
Class duration may be 20 to 30 minutes
Music is initially taught on the tin whistle, on a step by step basis but classes are designed to the individual needs of the school.
“Its great fun”Bíonn neart spraoi ann!
After a period of time the more musically interested children would be encouraged to try different instruments”.
“We love it. Learning new instruments is great and it’s something we really enjoy”
Sixth-class pupils, St John’s National School, Cathedral Place, Limerick
“The children have great fun every week and it’s great for them to be learning something new. They probably wouldn’t have picked up a tin whistle if it wasn’t for this”
Evelyn Quinn, Teacher, St John’s National School, Cathedral Place, Limerick
“We are delighted to be part of this project. It is designed for every pupil, whether they are just looking to learn music for their own entertainment or for competition.”
Mary O’Connor, Principal, Dromclough National School
There are a number of CSO teachers working nationwide. CSO provides music teachers who are capable, experienced and have been playing traditional music for a number of years. These teachers not only have a great love of the music but more importantly, they have the skills to pass on their knowledge and music to others. The dance teachers with CSO teach a wide variety of dancing such as solo ceilí and set-dancing. CSO teachers will not interfere in any way with existing music or dance teaching arrangements already in place.
MEET THE MUSICIANSCSO TEACHERS
CSO not only provides services for schools around Ireland, it also creates much needed employment for teaching musicians, ensuring a continous availability of skilled and experienced musicians available to work in schools.
A friendly, professional, and flexible service
How the scheme benefits children
WHO IS IT SUITABLE FOR?
The scheme is suitable for children of all ages from Junior Infants up to sixth class. As each group is different, teaching of the class is tailored according to ability, making sure that everybody can progress and enjoy the music together.
The main focus of CSO is the effective development of musical and dance performance skills. Traditional music offers many opportunities for children, not only to develop a love and understanding of music, but also to engage socially with their peers. Through playing together children not only improve their musical skills, children also develop self-esteem and vital social skills that are so hugely important in their growth.
• suitable for all ages and abilities
• effectively develops musical performance skills
• a child centered approach
• active learning in a musical environment
• promotes self esteem and develops vital social skills
• enhances long and short term memory
• opportunities to further develop and participation in competitions
• cultural and artistic awareness
• giving children life long opportunities
Links to the Curriculum
BAIN SPRAOI AS CEOL
Firstly, it teaches children to play music in a friendly group setting, and in an enjoyable way. It will plant the roots, in many children, for the growth of a life long interest that will take them around the country and beyond as they get involved in different musical events, and make friends with their peers and build their confidence and esteem.
Secondly, it creates employment for the many talented and skilled musicians throughout this country who, following the downturn in our economy, now find themselves with little or no employment.
CSO puts these musicians’ talents to good use, while at the same time, keeping the service affordable to schools.
Our main focus is to target schools in areas that may not be rich in our culture but who have teachers who are interested in developing their students’ awareness of it. Down through the years I have seen that the interest and passion of teachers for traditional music has greatly influenced their own students interest in it. Many of these children have not come from a musical background but soon discover a grá for the ceol and a great love for our Irish culture.
I have been playing traditional music since the age of 6. My main instrument is the button accordion, but I also play a wide variety of instruments such as the fiddle, flute, banjo and concertina, to name just a few. At the age of 17, I started teaching music in schools, firstly in Scoil Mháthair Dé in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick.
The news quickly spread that this was working well and I was then approached by many other schools in West Limerick and North Kerry, and it became a full time job. I have also been teaching traditional music classes on a weekly basis in my local branch of Comhaltas, Templeglantine, Co. Limerick for 30 years. Willie Larkin, Founder CSO
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
CSO is a quality, affordable service and is provided to schools at a minimum cost.
Comhaltas Schools Outreach can be contacted by either email or phone. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. Appointments outside these hours can be arranged.
PhoneOffice landline 069 773 33Office mobile 087 195 5399Willie Larkin 087 670 9124
Address12 Oak ParkNewcastle WestCo Limerick
Webwww.schoolsoutreach.ie
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