With the school year 2023/24 coming to a close, we wanted to recap all the amazing music for schools programmes and workshops we delivered! We had a blast delivering music for schools nationwide throughout the year, and we are extremely grateful to each and every school that we delivered our workshops and programmes in. Further, we’re extremely grateful to all of our amazing tutors, who worked so hard this year. We had a really busy year, full of great moments! Considering this, read on below for our highlights of the year!
Music for Schools: Our 2023/24 Highlights
Schools visited:
We had a bumper year, and as a result, we worked in 126 schools, across 12 counties. We also delivered 33 programmes, and 406 workshops. Further, we also delivered workshops and live music performances workshops in 9 libraries and events! We were delighted to be kept so busy, and we’re extremely grateful to every school who worked with us over the term!
Seachtain na Gaeilge
This year for Seachtain na Gaeilge, we offered our Let’s Explore workshops,Let’s Drum or Trad Sessions workshops for schools, either as Gaeilge, or incorporating Gaeilge, depending on the school’s preference. Our team is so lucky to have facilitators who speak fluent Irish. As a result, we were able to offer “craic agus ceol” workshops for schools for Seachtain na Gaeilge! We had a blast, and are already looking forward to Seachtain na Gaeilge next year!
New Tutors:
This year, we welcomed Taylor Graham to our team! We also welcomed Fiona to the office as part of our management team. They’ve been a great addition to our team, and we’ve been blessed to have them on board with us!
Feedback
“Just wanted to say thanks a million for the music workshops today. Lorna was absolutely great with the children and they all loved it! A wonderful addition to our summer camp – we will definitely be enquiring about future camps!”- St Attracta’s JNS
“The feedback from the workshops yesterday was brilliant! Thanks so much to Jacqui for facilitating them..”- Cavan Libraries
“I can’t thank you all enough for the help you have given us. Our children has a ball with Taylor this year, they learned so much (as did I!) and their performance yesterday was fantastic. Taylor is really fabulous, we couldn’t have been happier! ” – St Cronan’s JNS
Balbriggan Band Workshops
This year, we were delighted to work with Balbriggan Band, to facilitate some workshops for their beginner musicians! We will be teaching them universal musical skills, and developing their abilities even further, to enhance their ability to play in their band.
The PLAYground Orchestra Project made a comeback
This year, our collaboration with Draiocht and the PLAYground Orchestra was a little different! The plan was to bring 480 children together from 4 different schools, and teach them a range of songs that culminated in a live performance! The amazing Dave McGauran went into the schools for 6 weeks, and taught the children a repertoire of songs. Dave worked on correct vocal technique and exercises with the children. He then taught them a range of songs that they would later perform in the Draiocht. On the final day of the classes, Dave was joined by Susan McFadden, to finalise the songs. We had two live shows in the Draiocht, where the Playground Orchestra Orchestra accompanied the children singing the songs they had learnt. Susan McFadden also sang with the children, and performed solo for the audience as well. The children sang a range of songs, including everything from Taylor Swift to ABBA.
The entire performance for both shows was absolutely amazing! There were even some members in the audience who were brought to tears! The children were fantastic, and all of their hard work with Dave and Susan absolutely paid off.
We also performed two nights of the Christmas Family Singalong in Draoicht, presented by Mark Rogers. The orchestra performed all the Christmas hits, and the audience sang along. It was amazing, and a great way to begin the Christmas season.
High School Musical in Gaelcholaiste Ghlór na Mara
This year, we returned to Gaelcholaiste Ghlór na Mara for their annual school musical, to provide them with an amazing house band. We put together a band of some of Ireland’s most talented session musicians, for the school production of High School Musical. We had a blast!
Songfest
This year we developed our interactive musical experience ‘Songfest’.
Two musicians came to each school, and turned the school hall into an interactive disco experience! The musicians performed a set of upbeat, energetic and amazing songs with the children. What’s more- the children had the opportunity to join in for the performance of a lifetime- learning the lyrics two weeks in advance!
We had a great year, and already can’t wait to begin 2024/25 with a bang!
Interested in booking a programme or workshop with us? Contact us here.
