2021 Collaboration with Music Generation Galway

Our “Music of Africa” project with Music Generation Galway City started in Feb. 2021. A number of our classes had Zoom percussion lessons and an introduction to different African percussions instruments.

The pupils in third class and in some of the special classes are learning bodhrán and keyboard.

Choir

Scoil Chaitríona Senior has a proud tradition of choral work. Coming from such a strong musical and theatrical tradition, these young voices have endeared themselves to the local and to the wider community alike.

Within the school week, time is devoted to choir training, and all the chil­dren participate. A mixed repertoire of religious hymns, folk songs, classical pieces and Irish songs is taught. Children are prepared to sing and so enhance the liturgy for the Children’s Mass.

Confirmation is another occasion on which the choir adds dignity and atmosphere to a magnificent ceremony.

Members of the choir get invited to sing at various events, including the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in UCHG and the Hospice Christmas Party.

A carol service is held before Christmas and is open to the entire community. A CD of the Carol Service was produced in 2005 and the choir has performed on the ‘Late Late Toy Show’ on RTE.

Band

Our school band was started by teachers in 1976. It began with a small group of children playing tin-whistles and has since grown into a cohesive and proficient marching band. Children begin to learn the recorder with their class teacher in third class. In subsequent years, children are offered the opportunity of learning to play the accordion, melodica, bell lyre, glockenspiel, the drums and a variety of percussion instruments. The musical directors carefully guide the work of the band to produce an excellent result.

A group 60 of majorettes from the third classes are choreographed and added to the band for a number of public events, including Galway City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. A further 15 girls from the sixth classes form the senior majorette section as pom-pom bearers and baton twirlers.

A colour party of 11 children bearing the flags of both national and local significance leads the band. The Green Flag, which we were awarded for our work on environmental awareness, takes pride of place.

The band plays a very great role in the life of our school and our community in Renmore, and we are indeed grateful to our parents who have supported the band financially over the years. This band, which is the largest school band in Galway, owes its success to the commitment and dedication of the teachers who train the children, and to the children themselves who work so hard to achieve such a high standard.