Orchestrating a schools’ masterclass

MORE than 170 children from three Limerick primary schools teamed up with the Irish Chamber Orchestra at the Holy Family parish church in Southill as a unique music programme in the city hit all the right notes.

The orchestra launched the Sing Out With Strings initiative last year at Galvone primary school with the goal of introducing instruments to music making in Limerick schools.

To date it’s been a glorious success with the Galvone school day now getting off to a musical start as fifth and sixth classes, along with 20 teachers, two assistant teachers and the school caretaker, come in early for music lessons from orchestra members.

School caretaker Dermot O’Brien said: “If you had asked me before would I ever play the violin, I would have laughed at you. I’m hooked on the violin now and am mad keen to play it right.”

Southill Junior School and St Mary’s Boys School yesterday joined in the music making for the Sing Out With Strings Christmas concert.

To start their routine, more than 60 pupils from Southill belted out the school anthem to the accompaniment of the orchestra under conductor, Kathleen Turner.

Seán Magill, aged five, was as proud as punch. “Weren’t we great?” he said. But he admitted his music taste was somewhat cooler.

Seán said: “I like rapper Acon. And when I go in the car with my nana I like George Michael.”

Jolean Dundon’s two children Shannon Marie 5 and Micheál 4, also took part. “They’re all the time singing around the house learning the songs,” she said.

The plan is the young choir members will, over the coming years, go on to learn string instruments.

John Kelly, orchestra CEO said Sing Out With Strings was a groundbreaking project which they planned to bring to every school in Limerick, with the help of funding from the Limerick Regeneration Agencies and the JP McManus foundation which helps with the purchase of instruments.

Mary Blennerhassett, principal of Southill Junior School said: “Communities are being brought together in a very positive way like today by their engagement in music.”