Music Department

The aims and objectives of the Junior and Leaving Certificate music syllabuses are to promote and develop the musical talents of our students.The courses are so designed that each student is obliged to perform a short recital on their chosen instrument or voice – four pieces for Junior Certificate and up to six pieces for Leaving Certificate. This is balanced by a study of set works and songs, and a knowledge of harmony, composition and Irish music.Leaving Certificate students also have the option to study music technology as part of the curriculum.  

Music is taught as a subject in all forms in the College.Students in Primary and First Form study music for two periods each week where they learn basic rudiments, rhythm, tonic solfa, and songs. In Second Form music may be taken as a choice subject for Junior Certificate, with three class periods each week.

Transition Year students can take music as a choice subject where they join a TY choir or TY music ensemble. They study recording techniques, which involves a visit to a recording studio, and this year’s students are making, and learning to play the bodhran – a traditional Irish percussion instrument.It is also a vital year to lay down a strong foundation for those students intending to take music as a Leaving Certificate subject, and this is done through the study of carefully chosen set works, essays and projects on composers.

Leaving Certificate music results have been excellent over the past few years, with six out of ten music students achieving an A grade in 2008...a result that is way above the national average, and all our students to date have taken the Higher Level Paper.Music technology is taught in the College, and, if this option is chosen as a Performing subject, it accounts for 25% of the overall mark.Facilities in the computer room are excellent, with each student having access to their own computer.Music is therefore a great Leaving Certificate choice for those with musical ability in St. Columba’s College.  

Performance is an integral part of music making, both for enjoyment, and academic success.There are many opportunities for performance in the College with informal soirees and larger concerts held at regular intervals throughout the term.Our annual Music Prize Concert is adjudicated by an extern examiner, and the standard is rising each year.Music Scholarships are on offer following an open audition in October.The College orchestra attracts instrumentalists from all forms, and rehearsals are held weekly. Our Battle of the Bands is held annually and always proves to be a great success.  

Choral singing has always been part of the tradition of St. Columba’s College.Our 4-part Chapel Choir, which meets once a week, sings an anthem at each Sunday Service.Our annual Choral Concert takes place at the end of the Hilary term, and this year the choir, augmented by members of the staff, will be performing Mozart’s Coronation Mass, featuring soloists from within the College.Past choral performances have included Faure’s Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, Karl Jenkins’ Mass for the Armed Man, and Vivaldi’s Gloria. These concerts are recorded and CD’s are made available to the students.  

Choir trips abroad keep music and singing alive in the College, and the choir have travelled twice to Salzburg and once to Budapest over the last six years, where they have sung performances of masses by Mozart and Haydn, and have also given secular concerts and outdoor performances.The choir will be travelling to Tuscany in June 2009, where they will be performing in Florence and other venues.  

Facilities for music teaching and practice in the College are excellent, in the newly refurbished Cadogan Performing Arts Centre. There are six music rooms on the lower floor, which house four new Petrof pianos and a drum kit.Upstairs is a large teaching room and performing area, where informal concerts are held. The building is bright, airy, spacious and warm, and conducive to good teaching and practice.Individual locker facilities are available for all musical instruments.

Music would be nothing without good teachers.We are very fortunate to be able to provide excellent teaching in the following instruments:

Susan Taylor – piano

Rosemary Molloy – piano

Kathy Snowe – piano

Anne Murnaghan – cello, piano and theory

Marie Comisky – flute

Lynda Norris – clarinet and saxophone

Christine Meehan – violin and viola

Alan Grundy – guitar

Tina Lawlor – guitar

Sylvia O’Regan- voice

Lisa Mc Guinness – voice

Aisling Ennis – harp

Bernard Reilly - percussion  

Over 100 students (roughly one third of our student body) are currently taking music lessons.Students are prepared for Associated Board and RIAM music examinations, and also Junior and Leaving Certificate practical examinations.Music students compete annually in local music festivals such as Wesley College, and Newpark, where they have achieved considerable success over the past few years, and our outstanding students compete in the all Ireland Feis Ceoil each year and represent the College in singing, piano and instrumental competitions. Music students frequently get the opportunity to attend concerts in the National Concert Hall and other venues in Dublin.  

In short, we hope to instil in our pupils a life-long love of music, and to foster and develop their talents to the best of their ability.We hope that the above gives you a flavour of how the Music Department operates.Please visit our blog for more information.

Geraldine Malone Brady: MA (hons) (Music) LRAM, ARCMHead of Department

Tristan Clarke: BA Mod (hons) French and Music, Primary and First Form Music teacher