** NEW FOR 2009/10 **

Piano Masterclass
We held a very successful Piano Workshop presented by WSMD & Bank of Ireland in association with The Piano Gallery. This event took place on Sunday, 15th November between 3pm and 5pm at the East Glendalough School Assembly Hall.

The guest artist was Concert Pianist LANCE COBURN, who teaches on the faculty at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. You can learn more about him at www.lancecoburn.com

The event included performances by WSMD students and a short recital by Mr. Coburn.

The afternoon format was:
* An introduction talk by Mr. Coburn
* Students perform, followed by instruction from Mr. Coburn
* Audience feedback
* Q & A
* Performance from Mr. Coburn
* Tea & Coffee

The event was free of charge to all WSMD students with a small fee payable by the general public.

The event was also attended by the Bank of Ireland Sponsorship team.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Song School for Singers
Following on from our very successful and fully attended first Song School in October we are now holding monthly Song Schools which take place the first Monday of each month at 7pm on stage in the East Glendalough School in Wicklow town. The format and cost will remain the same.  There are a very limited number of places available SO BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL!!  To reserve your place phone the school on 0404 42244 or reply by email. 

SONG SCHOOL
The WSMD wishes to invite all singers to learn performance technique.  These workshops consist of the following:

* vocal technical instruction
* breathing technique 
* gaining control of nerves 
* on-stage presence 
* singing into and holding a microphone 
* criteria for song selection
* Positive feed-back and encouragement!

Your performance will be recorded for you and your teacher to review throughout the month of lessons. Anyone interested in singing is welcome to attend but MUST perform.  You must reserve a place by contacting the school either by phone or by return email .   You MUST have at least ONE song prepared and provide a backing track.  The workshops are informal and you are encouraged to sing again if the tutor deems it necessary, or if you feel you want to.    

The workshop will take place in the front hall of the East Glendalough School ON STAGE starting at 7pm.  Tutors are Kerry Anderson, Lindsey Ahearne.  Guest tutors in term two.

The cost is €15 at the door (unless you have already pre-paid) and sessions will run for 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on the numbers in attendance.  We strongly urge ALL WSMD voice students to attend.

These sessions are open to the public.   Who will benefit from these workshops?  Young singers interested in pursuing solo work for competitions; and adults interested in singing (party pieces) but who have not got the time in their schedule for weekly lessons.

Please note that the school recommends weekly lessons for anyone wishing to improve the quality of their singing voice.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Glee Club
The Glee Club meets on Saturdays from 2.30 to 3.30 in East Glendalough School. In Glee Club we perform popular songs - as seen on TV! Which songs? Club members decide! We are currently working on Don't Stop Believin', Lean On Me, We Will Rock You, My Life Would Suck Without You and more!

The Glee Club is open to all secondary students and is limited to 30 members. There are a few places still available. Contact Dara for more details on 086 865 2096 or email dara.black@gmail.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Group Guitar with David Creevy
Beginner/Intermediate level
No more than 10 in each group
€12 per hour
Scheduled for 4.30pm Wednesdays
Curriculum includes ensemble performance
** Please note as rates of progress can vary, students may be moved after Tem 1

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Junior Certificate Music Theory
Dara Black teaches Music Theory for the Junior Certificate 2011 on Saturdays from 10am to 11am. This is a group class. Please ring the office on 0404 42244 for more information.

Leaving Certificate Music Theory
At present, Dara teaches Music Theory for the Leaving Certificate 2010 on a Tuesday at 7.30pm for 90 minutes and for the Leaving Certificate 2011 on a Thursday at 7pm for an hour. These are group classes.

Advanced Theory
The Advanced Theory takes place each Tuesday night at 6.30pm until 7.30pm and is Grade 2 & Grade 3 ABRSM Curriculum. The Advanced Theory class is free to enrolled students.

Don't forget Music at higher level is a great way to inflate your aggregate score!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Violin This year Sheila Benney, one of the directors of the "Suzuki Education Institute of Ireland", the organisation designated by Dr. Suzuki to uphold training and teaching standards in Ireland, will continue with us each Saturday for classes. Suzuki is a highly effective method of training very young children in Violin and incorporates group classes.

The Suzuki method requires parental/guardian attendance; monthly ensemble work and membership to Suzuki Ireland. The school requires all parents co-operation and understanding before commencing violin tuition with WSMD.For more about the method visit www.suzukiireland.net.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STAFF CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kerry Anderson will assist with Drama this year.
Dara Black has extended her hours to include Saturdays as well as Tuesday & Thursdays.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AWARDS

Nominations for Awards May 2010

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Course:

ShantiCeol© Pre-instrumental Classes

This is the result of many years teaching young children and offers something new and effective. Shanti is the Sanskrit word for peace and it was chosen because we feel that music and yoga are a pathway to peace.

Each of the courses is designed to segue into the next chronological year, building on and developing the course content from 18 months to 7 years.

The course begins with parent and toddler education. The goal is to awaken the child's interest in music; to stimulate use of the voice and rhythmic movement and to increase the child's emotional stability through music (Parent and child bonding). Each course follows a series of modules and each module contains a theme. The first theme is Teddies. The course will follow teddy through a typical day.

Parents will learn how to use music for simple activities surrounding meal times and getting ready for bed.

Ages 3 - 5 focuses on elements of music, specifically pulse in music, pitch (high/low) and dynamics. The themes are taken from core curriculum ideas such as plants and animals and the four seasons. The Material covered in the age 3-4 course will be revisited from a different educational angle during the age 4 - 5 course.

The 6 - 7 years course is all about the rudiments of literacy, improvisation and performance. Each module is 10 weeks long and will end with a performance for parents.

Each 50 minute class will contain song and dance, use a marvelous array of musical instruments and will contain a small art project to make the course varied and interesting to the children plus providing a visual culmination of their time with us here at the Wicklow School of Music & Drama.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Kodaly Society of Ireland
www.kodalyireland.com
Kodály believes that music, with singing in the focus,
has a liberating effect on the mind and increases a child's ability to deal better with all the other subjects of the school curriculum.





---------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The Mozart Effect
www.mozarteffect.com
The Power of Music in Health, Education & Wellbeing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sound Therapy & Brain Technologies - www.thelisteningprogram.com
For information on the benefits of
classical music for the developing brain.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplies: Charles Byrne of Dublin are offering a 10% discount off the sale of recommended books and accessories including metronomes, music stands, foot stools, manuscript, instruments and more…Order forms are available - goods delivered to the school to save you the trek to Dublin!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other Useful Links

www.musicnetwork.ie

www.nch.ie
Check out the Children's Outreach Programme