Fingal Academy of Music: Musician in Residence

We are delighted to have “A Musician in Residence” – Fergus Cahillane here in Powerstown Educate Together National School.

The aim of the “Musician in Residence” model is to initiate and develop music education programmes in our school. This initiative is financially supported by Fingal Arts, which supports the payment for the services of a professional musician with a qualification in music (choral and/or instrumental) and experience of working with children;  who delivers regular music lessons to our pupils during the school day.

Presently, pupils in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class are learning the ukulele with Fergus Cahillane – our musician in residence – from the Fingal Academy of Music every Tuesday for a period of 11 weeks.  The ukulele is a small string instrument. We have learned how to play a number of notes and chords to enable us to play songs such as ‘Riptide’.

Fingal Academy have developed guitar/ukulele tutorial vidoes to support teachers and pupils practise their chords regularly.

Please find attached the first few beginner ukulele videos. They’re lots of fun!

Younger kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjqJfuTqlAo&feature=youtu.be
Older kids: https://youtu.be/Rjz04WycT14 

Fergus is generously running free 45 minute supervised practise sessions for pupils on Thursdays.

Fergus and Final are also offering tuition in a variety of instruments, including voice, guitar and woodwind on Thursdays for students if they wish to develop their skills further. The first class is free. Flyers have been sent home with this information and is accessible here.

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A fantastic element of the Musician in Residence Programme is the Professional Training and Development Programme for staff. Staff will be attending three workshops this term including preparing for a school musical performance, teaching music notation and using an instrument in the classroom.

 

Music in residence programme is a fantastic opportunity for the entire school community to develop their music skills and talents and we are looking forward to developing this programme over this academic year and extending it as a long term project here in Powerstown ETNS!

This fantastic programme is co-ordinated by Dónal Kearney, Director, Fingal Academy of Music, Manager, Fingal Choral programme

Click here for September’s report on Music Programme.

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