Athenry Music School

Suzuki Education

Suzuki method classes are available on Violin, Viola, & Piano. All other instrumental lessons are taught with Suzuki Philosophy close to our hearts

Suzuki Philosophy

Suzuki Talent Education or Suzuki Method combines a music teaching method with a philosophy, which embraces the total development of the child. Dr Suzuki’s guiding principle was “Character first, ability second”.

The essence of his philosophy may be found in the following quotes from his many writings:

“Musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed. Any child who is properly trained can develop musical ability just as all children develop the ability to speak their mother tongue. The potential of every child is unlimited”.

“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens, noble human beings. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline and endurance. He gets beautiful heart.”

“Where love is deep, much will be accomplished.”

“My dream is for the happiness of all children. I feel respect and friendly feelings for everyone. In particular, I cannot help but feel respect and warm feelings for young children. And my heart brims over with a desire to help make all the children born upon the earth fine human beings, happy people, people of superior ability. My whole life energies are devoted to this end.”

How does Suzuki work?

Dr Suzuki called his teaching method the Mother-Tongue Approach, inspired by the fact that children so effortlessly learn to speak their native tongue. Prompted and encouraged by the parents’ love and the family environment, the child responds and develops this most difficult of skills, that of intelligible speech.

When a child learns to speak, the following factors are at work:

Listening
Motivation
Repetition
Step-by-step mastery
Memory
Vocabulary
Parental Involvement
Love

In the Suzuki approach each of these principles is used in the learning of an instrument (piano, violin, viola, cello, voice, harp). The mother-tongue approach has successfully been applied to other fields such as art, poetry and mathematics.

Dr Suzuki closely follows the parallel with language learning and recommends that music should become an important part of the baby’s environment from birth (or even before). When the infant’s environment includes fine music as well as the sounds of the mother-tongue, it is understandable that the child will develop the ability to speak and to play a musical instrument (with technical guidance) before being required to read in either language. Formal lessons frequently begin as early as 3 years of age.

Listening

Children learn to speak by listening and imitating the spoken language they hear around them. In Suzuki teaching, much emphasis is placed on daily listening to recordings of the Suzuki repertoire, as well as music in general. The more frequently the students listen to the recordings, the more easily they learn to play.

Constant listening to music performed with beautiful tone provides children with a role model for their playing. In the lessons, the production of fine tone and sensitive playing is stressed from the beginning.

Parental Involvement

Parents play a crucial role in Suzuki. Learning takes place in an environment of co-operation between teacher, parent and child. The parent’s role includes attending each lesson with the student, taking notes and then guiding them through their practice at home – they become the ‘home teacher’. Parents also need to play the recordings daily, help to create an environment of affection, support, encouragement and understanding, and also attend workshops, concerts, group lessons, graduations and summer schools with their child.

Individual and Group Activities

As well as their individual lessons, students participate in group lessons. The common repertoire enables them to play together, giving them valuable ensemble experience and positive reinforcement of concepts learnt in their individual lessons. Students also take part in performances and workshops and observe other children’s lessons. All of these things are wonderful motivational tools – children love to do what they have seen other children doing.

Positive Environment

A positive, nurturing environment is created in the lesson and is also essential at home. Parents need to ensure that all members of the family understand this. Children learn enthusiastically when they are supported with sincere praise and encouragement. They learn to recognise one another’s achievements, creating an environment of co-operation.

Repertoire

One of Suzuki’s major contributions to music education is the unique order of the repertoire. Each carefully chosen piece becomes a building block for future learning. Technique, musicianship and style are developed through the study and repetition of these pieces.

Each instrument has its own repertoire. This provides familiarity and hence excellent motivation to progress. Through the common repertoire within each instrument, children have a bond with Suzuki students world-wide.

However, the spirit of Suzuki teaching may encompass all styles and periods of music. Teachers often give supplementary material which may help to widen the students’ musical experience.

Reading

Reading music follows the acquisition of good aural, technical and musical skills, just as reading language begins after a child can speak fluently. The stage at which the child begins to learn reading music varies according to age and general development. However, it will always be after basic playing skills have been mastered to maintain the focus on beautiful tone, accurate intonation and musical phrasing.

Integrating the music reading program with the Suzuki repertoire is vital to the child’s musical development.

Fees & School Regulations

Fees are to be paid in advance each term. The term dates for 2024-25 are:

Term 1: Monday 9th September 2024

Term 2: Monday 25th November 2024

Term 3: Monday 3rd March 2025

At Athenry Music School we want everyone to be able to access music. If you have ANY accessibility needs, whether physical or monetarily, please do contact us.

Annual Registration for all students: €30 per annum per family to be paid by 12th August 2024 for returning students and immediately upon confirmation of your lesson time for all new students.

The payment of the registration fee is the final step in confirming your place for the coming year, and is non refundable. It covers our administrative work during the Summer and pays our teachers if a student withdraws on short notice.

Individual Lessons

20min lesson	€195 per term
30min lesson	€250 per term
45min lesson:	€350 per term
60min lesson:	€460 per term

Shared Lessons *

Ukulele	€110 per student per term
Theory (With Edel)	€110 per student per term
Colourstrings 10am & 11am Classes	€100 per student per term
Colourstrings 12noon & 1pm Classes	€110 per student per term
Shared 20min Lesson (2)	€120 per student per term
Shared 30min Lesson (3)	€150 per student per term
Shared 45min Lesson (3)	€175 per student per term

*shared lessons are only offered at the discretion of the director and teacher.

	1st Child	2nd Child	3rd Child +
Orchestras/Ensembles:	€60 per term	€60 per term	FREE
Choirs/Traditional Session:	€50 per term	€50 per term	FREE

SEIi

Worldwide Insurance

€15 per family per year

For all students of Agnese, Ana Cardon, Berni, Carolina, Katharine & Stephen

Academic Classes

45min Individual Class:	€350 per term
1 hour Individual Class	€460 per term

Instrument Hire

When you avail of our hire scheme, please fill in a hire agreement

Violin/ Viola:	€60 per year (to a max of €100 per family)
All Others:	€100 per year, per instrument (to a max of €200 per family)

Care of Athenry Music School premises

The directors have the ultimate responsibility for the care of our premises during music lessons. Students are asked to respect school property and buildings at all times. Please do not disturb material on teachers desks etc. and leave the room as you find it.

Discipline

Please behave in a quiet and orderly manner both in the school and in school grounds. Students are expected to co-operate with members of the teaching faculty so as to ensure an atmosphere conducive to learning in the school. Repetition of unruly behaviour will be dealt with by the Director and can result in discontinuation of classes.
Parents are expected to accompany all students of national school age at all times i.e. before, during and after lessons .Please do not drop your child/children at the gate and then find a parking space.
Post primary students are not entitled to wait before, between or after classes unless they do so in a supervised classroom and with the written permission of a Director. Consequently, it has to be understood that parents who ignore this request can have classes withdrawn without further explanation. Supervised study is available for choir and orchestra members on Thursday. Please contact a Director to avail of this service.
Running, jumping or climbing are not permitted in the school.
Students must take responsibility for their own belongings and instruments and be mindful of any hazard they might cause to others.
Bullying of any nature is not accepted or allowed in Athenry Music School.
No alcohol, smoking or drugs are allowed on the premises or surrounding grounds of Athenry Music School.

Missed Classes and Punctuality

Students must attend their classes or lessons at scheduled times. Classes or lessons missed through the fault of students will not be made up. If a teacher is unable to attend a class a deputy teacher may be appointed. If no teacher is available the class will be made up at a mutually convenient time. If the student is sick but still able to take a lesson, your teacher is obliged to offer an online lesson at your normal lesson time. As teacher’s schedules are tight, a student who is late for lesson or class will not receive extra time. Please remember that teachers are not obliged to make up or give extra time to absent or late students.
Weather related closures & Acts of God will be made up at the discretion of the teacher.

Accompaniment for exams

Students are responsible for finding their own accompanist, though lists of available accompanists will be made available from the Office.

Special Considerations

Students, or their parents, must inform the Teacher, if they are suffering from any form of illness or allergy, and if they are taking any form of medication. It is particularly important that a Teacher knows if a student suffers from a condition such as Asthma, Diabetes or Epilepsy so that they can cope in an informed way, if the student should suffer an attack.
It is also important to know if the student suffers from any hearing or sight problems, or any learning difficulties that might affect a student’s ability to respond in a class or individual lesson.
All medical information will be treated in the strictest confidence by the school.

Teacher Availability

Faculty members working with AMS as self-employed contractors have flexible arrangements, allowing their availability to change due to personal circumstances, work or family commitments, class structures, medical reasons, and more. The contract between a parent and a teacher is renewed at the end of each 10-week term upon payment completion. Teachers reserve the right to refuse a student’s enrolment at any time. If this occurs during a term, a credit note or refund may be offered to the parent for the remaining lessons in the term.

Cancellations

The Director must be notified of withdrawal of a student from lessons or cancellation of course of study. Students who are diagnosed with a long term illness or, for example, break an arm, are exempt from from fees for the duration of their convalescence. Please do note that it is possible to teach a child with a broken arm, and lessons can be a very positive influence in the healing process, as long as the student is finished their medical treatment. Lessons cancelled within a term are generally forfeit unless accompanied by a doctor’s note. Consideration will be given on a case by case basis and any refunds/ credit notes are given at the discretion of the directors. A minimum of 2 weeks notice (excluding holidays) must be given.

General enquiries

General enquiries will be dealt with immediately, where possible, during normal office hours. For specific queries/enquiries you may be referred to the relevant teacher, or the Director, and an appointment made. Outside office hours, please ring and leave a detailed message. The Director is available to students and parents by appointment only. If you wish to talk to a teacher please make an appointment via the office.

Parent/ Pupil requesting change of teacher

Parents are advised to first discuss any issue with the existing teacher. After this, the parent should contact a director in writing or by email requesting a change of teacher. Teachers outside Athenry Music School should be given the same courtesy and the parent should speak to their existing teacher. The parent may then phone one of the Directors to discuss possible enrolment.

Photographs

From time to time photographs may be taken of students for publicity purposes. Unless otherwise stated, receipt of the annual registration fee will be regarded as permission for such photographs to be so used.

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Awards & Partnerships

Winner of the 2021 Irish Association of Youth Orchestras OVATION AWARD

Athenry Music School alongside our wonderful friends from Coole Music are proud to be the two winners of the 2021 Iayo Orchestras Ovation Award for our work during the last 18 months. With 20 film productions completed, five collaborations with contemporary composers and over 50 online concerts we certainly kept ourselves busy. The €2000 prize is being used to found a young conductors’ mentorship programme. The inaugural recipient of the award is Mary Duggan.

OVATION awards ceremony, 16 October 2021, Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin: Christopher Hann, Athenry Youth Orchestra, Katharine Mac Mághnuis, Director Athenry Music School, Eimear Noone, internationally renowned conductor and composer, Sinead Hayes Conductor Athenry Sinfonietta and Coole Carolan’s Rambles, Katharina Baker, Director Coole Music and Mia Farrell, Coole Youth Orchestra

Winner of the Galway County Cathaoirleach’s Community Awards 2020 for our response during COVID.

Athenry Music School was recognised for the design and delivery of online orchestral and choral programme throughout the 2020-21 season culminating in 15 virtual performances involving over 400 students. We also developed our own premises in the summer of 2020.

Winner of the National Youth Orchestra Development Award 2019 from the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras.

Athenry Music School Supporting Irish Contemporary Composers and our Composers in Residence

Throughout the last 10 years, Athenry Music School has performed twenty-six contemporary Irish works of which fourteen were specially commissioned works.

Repertoire is selected from living Irish composers if at all possible for our ensembles and orchestras. In 2020 we have performed the world premiere of our specially commissioned work Elemental Dance for choir and orchestra by Ruth Smith (vocals & lyrics) & Daire Mac Mághnuis (intermezzi & orchestrations). We are also preparing a commission by Anne-Marie O Farrell for our harp ensemble and will perform Sam Perkin’s Inspirit for orchestra and string quintet with ConTempo in April 2020.

Galway County Mayor’s Awards

Athenry Music School was delighted to be nominated for a County award in 2013 and had the pleasure of providing music on the night by one of our student string quartets and the Athenry Guitar Orchestra.

Over 250 people from Community and Voluntary groups from all around County Galway were honoured at the County Mayors Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 19th November in the Claregalway Hotel. The Awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity around County Galway. Eleven Awards were up for grabs after a public call for nominations was made back in October.
Mayor of Galway Cllr Liam Carroll with Catherine Mannion, Una Ní Fhlannagáin, Kevin Brett and Helen Farrell of Athenry School of Music.
Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy / No Fee
Issued on behalf of Galway County Council
For more information please contact Valerie Kavanagh 091 476512 or 087 9301125 or vkavanagh@galwaycoco.ie

“Over 250 people from Community and Voluntary groups from all around County Galway were honoured at the County Mayors Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 19th November in the Claregalway Hotel. The Awards recognise and celebrate community and voluntary activity around County Galway. Eleven Awards were up for grabs after a public call for nominations was made back in October. Mayor of Galway Cllr Liam Carroll with Catherine Mannion, Una Ní Fhlannagáin, Kevin Brett and Helen Farrell of Athenry School of Music. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy / No Fee Issued on behalf of Galway County Council. For more information please contact Valerie Kavanagh 091 476512 or 087 9301125 or vkavanagh@galwaycoco.ie”

National Award for Development of Youth Orchestras 2014

Athenry Music School was the overall winner of the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras’ award 2014. In 2014 we were very proud to house 6 orchestras in the music school and to have developed 5 more in our outreach programmes. (Yes- that’s 11 orchestras in a 5 mile radius! How cool is that!)

Overall National Achievement Award 2010

The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras awarded OURchestra residential camp their overall achievement award, 2010. The camp is directed by Coole Music’s Katharina Baker and our own Director, Katharine Mac Mághnuis. The week-long camp incorporated orchestra, chamber music, traditional Irish music, juggling and choir. Activities were scheduled for 12 hours a day and the students even had to sing grace before any meal was served! This camp is now in it’s 7^th year and dates for 2016 are 11-15^th July.

Music Network Capital Award 2010, 2018

In 2010 Music Network, in association with the Arts Council of Ireland, had applications from fifty nine music schools this year. Athenry Music School, along with eleven others received capital funding awards. Athenry was awarded €8,795. The award winning proposal was to inititate cello programmes in partnership with Gairm Scoil Mhuire, Athenry and Crumlin N.S., Ballyglunin, Tuam. In total 25 cellos were purchased and the programme started in September 2010, with cellist Nicola Geddes heading a team of tutors.

In 2018, Athenry Music School was awarded €7,000 to purchase double basses which have been housed in our newest outreach school, Athenry Boys National School.

Composer in Residence James Ross 2013-14

Athenry Youth Orchestra had the pleasure of working with highly regarded international composer James Ross. This was facilitated by the Galway Co Co and GRETB. This culminated in a sell out concert in Seapoint, Galway and the production of a documentary and CD.

Young Musicians’ Professional Development Initiative

Y.M.P.D.I (for short!) is a year-long practice and performance contract between the music student, parent and school. It has been developed to help our senior students who are considering continuing their music studies at third level. Its primary aim is to increase their performance skills by the creation of public performance opportunities for our students and also to provide live music for venues and businesses in Athenry town and the surrounding areas.

Glenman Corporation – Main Sponsor 2008-2023

The Directors of Athenry Music School are sincere thankful to the Glenman Corporation for its greatly valued sponsorship. This generous financial support has constituted a major catalyst in the development and success of Athenry Music School.

Charities

Athenry Orchestras and Choirs have partnered with many charities. These include:

Western Alzheimer’s

The Simon Community

The Sunni Mae Trust

Childhood Cancer

Peter Broderick (1987)
An American born multi-instrumentalist and singer. In his later teenage years he became entwined in the Portland (Oregon) indie folk scene, recording for the likes of M. Ward and Laura Gibson, among others. 2007 saw him moving across the ocean to Denmark, where he began a long collaboration with the band Efterklang, touring the world with them for the next five years. Meanwhile he recorded several albums of solo material, ranging from sparse classical compositions (Float) to homemade folk music (Home), constantly experimenting with different musical genres, and also being commissioned to write music for several films and contemporary dance works. He then lived in Berlin for several years where he met and collaborated with Nils Frahm, Dustin O’Halloran and several others. He now lives back in rural Ireland, and continues to travel the world performing solo concerts and collaborating with a vast array of different musicians and artists.

Partnerships

We feel that it is very important to expose our orchestral members to professional performers and composers from Ireland and abroad to raise the standards of our ensemble playing, professional behaviour, rehearsal techniques, musicianship and orchestral accompaniment techniques with regard to both instrumental and vocal soloists. We also use collaborations to expose Athenry musicians and audiences to the less common instruments and world class performances. All these musical reasons for pulling groups together also do just that, pull people together and isn’t that what orchestral playing is all about.

Choirs

Skyline Choir USA

Lyonstownship Choir, USA

St Mary’s children’s parish choir

Cor Le Cheile

Athenry Youth Choir

Cor Le kids

Athenry Gospel Choir

Cor Gealscoil Riada

Athenry Boys National School Choir

Cor Scoil Chroi Naofa

Presentation College Choir

Gairmscoil Mhuire Choir

Lisheenkyle National School Choir

Newcastle National School Choir

Monivea National School Choir

Crumlin National School Choir

Acafellas

Moy Singers, Ballina

Young Singers, Canada

The Riddlers, USA

Composers

Brendan Walsh

Ross O’ Farrell

Kevin Brett

James Ross

Katharina Baker

Katharine Mac Mághnuis

Ciaran Hope

Emmet O Connor

Ruth Smith

Daire Mac Mághnuis

Vincent Kennedy

Anne Marie O Farrell

Performers, Bands & Orchestras

Terrafolk, Slovenian folk band

Jenn Butterworth, guitar & voice

Will Pound, harmonica & accordion

Roo Geddes

We Banjo 3

Irish Memory Orchestra

Regroovation, funk band

The National Flemish Wind Ensemble, Vlaams Harmonie Orkest

Yuki Nishioka, violin

Brendan Walsh, guitar

Zoe Conway, fiddle & violin

Ailbhe Mc Donagh, cello

Linda O Connor, violin

Peter Sebastyen, cello

Peter Joyce, saxophonist

Atreyu Connelly, percussion

Joshua Alamu, Vocal coach

Patrons

Thank you to all of you for your generosity of time, energy and passion towards the young people of our community. Many people taken a hands-on approach to helping our community school develop. Sincere thanks.

The following people have made donations of instruments and/or money to the school. Again, sincere thanks.

Afria Coffey

Ruth Dobbin O’Dea

The Drapiewski family

Blaithin Farrell

Sheelagh Garvey

Kevin Dowdall

Joe Noonan

John Flanagan

Geraldine Flannery

Glenman Corporation

Stephen Kenny

Mark Kennedy

Wilma Moulden

Ruth Pokall

Stephen Rynne

Kate Thompson

Gearoid Whyte

Orchestras, Bands & Dance troupes

IAYO Festival Orchestra

St Patrick’s brass band, senior and intermediate

Coole Music

Music Matters

The Talisman Collection

Kendra Glynn Dance Academy

Loughrea Pipe Band Drum Core

OUR LATEST COMMISSION

ELEMENTAL DANCE
(lyrics) by Ruth Smith

EARTH

Stealing Beauty
Beauty Burned

Beneath beauty buried
There it is
No longer living
But it gives and gives

No longer living…

We call you by many names,
Mama, Gaia, cradle, grave
Mother now we sing to you
This precious earth to save

WATER

O to be at one with the water
In a cradle carrying the memory of life and living
Diving into the water
To remember, to reveal

Deepest wells that hold our secrets
Rain dropping to restore
River forever you kiss the sea

In the sweetest blessing of water
We are welcomed home to be.

Promise of water
Be in me
Make me your melody
Flowing free

O to be at one with the water
In a cradle
Water
Home

FIRE

Fire, fire, fire, fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire

This is the fire of imagination
This is the fire of determination
This is the fire of inspiration
It will turn and burn and soar

This is the fire of co-operation
This is the fire of our civilization
This is the fire of transformation
It will yearn, concern and roar.

See the fire spirits,
Dancing free
Warm comfort
Heart to nurture me

See the fire spirits
Running wild
Fire in the belly
Come alive

Be the fire spirits
Make a change
Hold on now
Gather up your rage

Free the fire now,
Be the fire, how?
Burn Yearn Turn Learn

AIR

Out – out in
In – out Out – in

Take – in Let – go
Take – in Let – go

Aaaahhhh

Air to inspire
To renew
Wind you dancer
Carry the tune
ETHER

In the earth of our mother we are made
In the waters of the universe we swim to our dreams
In the fire of delivery we are seen
In the air of new beginnings we inhale

To be, to do, to live, to grow,
To learn, to fail, to love, to fall,
To laugh, to wonder, to wander, to cry,
To sleep, to dance, to dream, to wake,

To fight, to falter, to fumble, to soar,
To bring, to borrow, triumph, to mourn,
To build, to gather, to spend, to save,
To worry, surrender, to punish and praise.

I see a mirror
In the faces that I meet
Constant reflection
Elemental dance in me

To the earth of our mother we return
In the waters of the universe we swim back to our dreams
In the fire of memory we are named
In the air of all endings we ex – hale

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