Workshops

Music is an art form that inspires people to invent and express emotion, it is a crucial part of a pupil’s education serving to develop their personal and social skills by learning to follow direction and improve their listening skills while simultaneously learning to express themselves.

Collaboration with other students teaches the pupil the benefit of team work and helps with the development of social awareness.

And it’s good fun!

Fun With Drums

A fun class designed for primary school pupils where children learn the joy of making music instantly!

Each pupil is a given a percussion instrument and taught simple rhythms influenced by sounds from Brazil and Africa. When pupils play their individual parts together, the result is an exciting sound. Each drum part is taught aurally so there is no need for students to have any musical background. Pupils will reap the benefits of working as a team while also learning to take instruction.

Prior to the class we can arrange instruction on how pupils can make their own simple percussion instruments as an arts and craft project.

Samba Workshop

Modern Samba was developed from an earlier Brazilian musical style called Choro. Both Samba the dance and music can take many forms, from the vivacious call response of samba de enredo, the music of Carnaval to samba-canção or song samba.

The course starts with a brief history of the origins of Samba tracing it’s journey from Africa to Brazil and then to North America where it influenced jazz musicians and ultimately contributed to modern popular music.

Then each pupil is a given a percussion instrument and taught rhythms influenced by sounds from Brazil and Africa. When pupils play their individual parts together, the result is an exciting, energetic sound.

The day teaches pupils the benefits of team work, an essential skill required for many future careers, and the joy of making music.

Music Through Song

This course is suitable for either primary or secondary school students. It allows pupils to compose and record their own piece of music or song in one day or two days (depending on time and budget). An experienced course facilitator will show pupils how to build a song using their environment and personal experiences as inspiration to compose a song together.

At the end of the day the song will be recorded and we will supply a CD a week later. We can also arrange to print a number of CD’s for pupils and schools.

Music Technology

This two day course, lectured by a Digidesign certified Pro Tools engineer, aims to take a student step-by-step through the processes involved in creating a professional recording. From the very basics of creating your very first Pro Tools session to finishing with final recording that incorporates professional mixing techniques students will have a full understanding of both the Pro Tools program and what’s expected to create a professional recording.

It is not necessary to be able to play a musical instrument to take part in this course.

Modern European Music Workshop with Yurodny

Embodying the multicultural spirit of modern Europe, Yurodny's repertoire embraces music from all across Eastern Europe through to Russia and the Near East. The group regularly play at festivals internationally and in Ireland, and have received great critical acclaim for their many diverse projects and recent debut record 'Odd Set' (**** - Irish Times).

Workshops given by the group at primary, secondary and third level educational institutions have covered a wide range of topics, including aspects of the rhythmic vocabulary found in folk traditions, the study of ornamentation by region, a general 'whistle-stop' tour, teaching songs/repertoire, concerts and instrumental tuition, and can be personalised to suit the requirements of the music department or general curriculum of the school.

Traditional Irish Music Workshop

The aim of this workshop is to bring the qualities of traditional Irish music into schools giving students a taste of the genre and overview of its many qualities.

This initiative is divided into two main areas:

For students who already perform music, one simple tune is taught to everyone so they all have one in common. By everyone playing the same tune, the qualities which make each student unique can be easily highlighted. Students are taught to listen to each other in an effort to get to the heart of what their fellow performers are doing. This approach enables students to realise what is unique about themselves as well as with their peers. This fosters a culture of respect and learning among their fellow musicians and gives them a feeling of what makes them special as individual musicians.

In a situation without the students playing, the band will perform a selection of traditional music in the various styles showing how it has progressed from the harp music of the 16th century, right up to the modern influences of other ethnic music types such as Balkan music which gave rise to phenomena such as Riverdance. This journey is explained in a way that young students can grasp and questions are very much encouraged. This program will hopefully alert the students to the rich tapestry that is Irish traditional music and incite a long lasting interest in it.

Media Reviews

"The music emerged triumphant...vibrant and irresistable!" The Irish Times

"The energy, the sound of Yurodny...absolutely fantastic" RTE Radio 1

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Instruments Taught

  • Drums
  • Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Piano
  • Vocals
  • Keyboards
  • Music Technology

Contact

Swords Music Centre   
Swords Educate Together, Applewood Swords  
Phone: 01-8497119
E-mail: swordsmusiccentre@gmail.com

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