Registration for the Music Programme takes place over several afternoons and evenings (allowing convenient times for all parents) in June of the same year your child will commence school or a new class that September (e.g. June 2017 and school will begin for a new year in September 2017). It is vital if you wish your child to continue in the music programme and for them to be able to avail of instrument hire that you register at this time. If you have missed the registration due to unforseen circumstances or your child has entered the school after this registration period you should speak to a member of the music committee, call the programme’s mobile to speak to the administrator or contact us via email and we will endeavor to provide your child with their choice of instrument and classes. Please note that instruments are distributed on a first-come first-served basis so if registration takes place late the child’s instrument choice for the current year may not be possible but they will be given equal opportunity to take up the instrument during the following year. A registration form for the music programme can be downloaded by clicking on this link Registration Form 2017-2018
The types of instruments available to your child is mostly dependent on their age as many of our instruments would be too big for a younger child to be able to physically handle. The website outlines which instruments are available by school year or one of our committee members will explain the instruments available to your child when you register for the Music Programme.
The cost of lessons is dependent on the size of the group of children in that lesson. Generally the violin, cello, guitar and recorder 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 and a committee member should be able to give you an indication of cost during registration.
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.
Violin and Cello hire can be utilised throughout the music programme as with increasing size the child will be measured and given an appropriately sized instrument. However, when they require a full sized instrument this will need to be purchased by their parents. To give fair opportunities to all children within the programme all other instruments have a two-year hire period, after which time if the child wishes to continue to play their parent will need to purchase an instrument of their own, with advice from their teacher. Please note that unlike all other instruments the pocket trumpet is only available for hire for one year and recorders, pianos and guitars are not available for hire from the Music Programme.
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 fee is the same regardless of how many groups one child is a member of and encompasses the cost of tuition, insurance for travel, the cost of orchestral music, stands and transportation equipment.
This depends 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 one of the committee members at registration as to which groups they may become involved in.
In order to keep costs of lessons down for parents, students are often taught instruments in duos or larger groups and for short lessons. This works extremely well but needs supplementary reinforcement by way of theory lessons which improve your child’s general understanding of how to read, write and approach music.
The first theory exam is in Second Class when children complete the Royal Irish Academy of Music Preparatory theory exam, in Third Class they complete the RIAM Grade 1 exam, in Fourth Class the RIAM Grade 2 exam and in Fifth Class the RIAM Grade 3 exam. As stated above it is important for your child’s instrumental playing to progress that they complete the syllabus and exams in theory and children from St Canice’s generally do very well in these exams. The cost of the exams will vary from year to year but you will be advised of it at registration and will pay it at this stage.
The timetables for the new year (September to June) will be published on this web-site during the month of August. They will also appear on the music notice board which is beside the Junior Infant classrooms in the Junior end of the school.
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 eighteen 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 fund-raising 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 2016 so will be next held in May 2018.
Please get involved! We can never have enough committee members, orchestra managers, parent helpers and inspirationlists! If you would like to help talk to one of our committee members or contact us.