The cost of lessons is dependent on the size of the group of children in that lesson. Generally the group singing, violin, cello and guitar lessons are taken in larger groups as there is a higher demand for these instruments and therefore these lessons are cheaper than most of our other instruments. All other instruments are generally taught in groups of two or three and the cost of the lessons is therefore greater. However, we have found that musicians cannot progress if such instruments are taught in larger groups. Costs of lessons vary from year to year. Please ask the music teacher, or contact us via stcanicesimp@gmail.com.
The hire fee for the instrument is a nominal fee used to cover insurance, repairs, upkeep and servicing of that instrument, an instrument case, as well as contributing to the cost of purchase of instrumental music for the instrument. It is a tiny proportion of the cost of the same instrument if it was purchased.
If your child’s instrument hire period has ended, you will need to purchase one. The following are details and contact numbers of some of the main music stores, both locally and in Dublin. You are advised to ring the relevant music shops beforehand to ensure that they have your instrument in stock. Your child’s music tutor will also be able to offer advice on any instrument choice.
If your child plays a woodwind or brass instrument, Eamon Cahill may also be able to source a good quality second hand instrument for you. You should contact Eamon directly in this regard.
Brodericks Music Warehouse, New Building Lane, Kilkenny
Ph: 056 7765401
www.brodericksmusicwarehouse.com
email: info@brodericksmusicwarehouse.com
Crehans Music, 6 Carberry Road, Dublin 9
(Specialise in violins, violas, cellos and basses)
Ph: 01-8372351
email: contact@crehans.ie
E.M.S (Educational Music Services), 22 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
(Specialise in woodwind and brass instruments)
Ph: 01-8742310
email: emsltd@eircom.net
Essaness Music, Rose Inn St, Kilkenny
Ph: 056 7765693
email: info@essaness.com
Wild Goat Fiddles, Kinvara, Co Galway (Kate Thompson)
(Specialise in violins and violas: ring to make an appointment)
Ph: 091 637501 and 087 7790853
email: info@whitegoatfiddles.com
This yearly fee encompasses the cost of tuition, insurance for travel, the cost of orchestral music, stands and transportation equipment and is the same regardless of how many groups one child is a member of.
Children in 2nd and 3rd class will be playing in our Junior Orchestra. Our Senior Orchestra is open for children in 4th class and up. In some cases you will see that we invite children from younger ages to practice and play in our senior orchestra too, depending on their level of experience with the instrument they are playing and what the actual instrument is. Your child may find themselves in one or both of the Junior and Senior Orchestra and may also be in a Jazz Group. You will be advised by the music teachers of your child.
Taking a theory exam is optional.
You can decide to register for a theory exam via Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and if the exam is successful, receive a certificate from RIAM.
We will contact you via email when the registration for these exams has opened and will close. You can register via https://exams.riam.ie/.
All theory exams are taken online and can be taken within a timeframe. You will need access to a smartphone, tablet, or PC that has good internet access. RIAM recommends you use a tablet or computer to access the system.
Pupils should have the help of a parent/guardian in helping them navigate the system and assist in the uploading of answers and when completing the exam.
You can login in advance and attempt a test paper, as many times as you wish.
The timetables can be found on this website and will also be shared with you via email in September, before the start of our new musical year.
The organisation of the Music Programme’s huge array of lessons for all the varied instruments and multiple groups within years is a huge and unenviable task! Given the information we have, we try our very best for all families involved to make lesson days and times as suitable as possible. It can prove very difficult in some cases to move things around, particularly from third class up when teachers of wind and brass instruments may only be in the school on certain days and times. We ask you to bear this in mind before you request that we move your child from a particular group, lesson or time as it may prove very difficult to accommodate them anywhere else.
There are currently fourteen teachers in the Instrumental Music Programme and depending on the instrument or class your child could be assigned any of them. All of our teachers are highly qualified and experienced in their fields and promote fun and productive learning.
Yes! There are many children in the Music Programme who are multiple instrumentalists. However, in the light of giving all equal and fair opportunities to play the instrument of their choice your child may have to wait another year before they can embark on their next musical endeavor!
St Canice’s Instrumental Music Programme is a non-profit organisation that relies entirely on the fundraising efforts of its committee and involved parents, grant application and acceptance and charitable donations. Any monies collected during registration provide essential funding for the administration of the programme, upkeep of the instrument your child hires and the music and equipment they use during lessons and for group and orchestral sessions. The costs to parents are kept to those that are essential.
Maytime Melodies takes place once every two years. It was last held in May 2023 so will be next held in May 2025.
Please get involved! We can never have enough committee members, orchestra managers, parent helpers and inspirationlists! If you would like to help, get in contact with us via stcanicesimp@gmail.com.