Historic performance for Kinvara pupils

ST Joseph’s National School in Kinvara recently made history when its fourth class pupils became the first people to perform publically in the new Irish World Academy Building, North Campus at University of Limerick.

The recent recital represents a progression for the youngsters in terms of the arts but it is by no means their first step. Their musical journey to date has seen them develop their skills and self-confidence, as well as giving a helping hand to a little girl thousands of miles away.
Last year, under the tutelage of Máire O’Keeffe, the then third class took part in a number of different music projects before the accomplished instrumentalist suggested that the first two weeks of June be dedicated to music.
“I told the pupils how Frank Custy and his pupils used to play music every day during school when Frank was principal in Toonagh and named some of the great musicians who came out of that experience,” recalls Máire.
“While a small number of children were actively attending music lessons, after an initial survey we discovered that every child in the class of 22 could get their hands on a musical instrument, one child even found a concertina at home. The two weeks turned onto the whole month of June and as I was teaching the class again in September, we decided to give it a go playing music every day,” she says.
“As the children played more, their repertoire became wider. They got used to reading music and learning it fairly quick. They have become real musicians. They are not struggling to learn anymore,” Máire adds.
The group’s first concert was to be an informal affair with the children taking to the streets of the seaside village to perform. Máire and her class of willing musicians hoped to raise some money from busking for a very special cause.
Máire met Milwaukee-man Ed Palouchek in the early 1990s when he took part in a fiddle class she taught at the Willie Clancy Summer School. Little did they realise that his children and her pupils would build on that friendship through music and generosity.
“Ed has a daughter called Mariana. She is three and suffers from a rare form of Gaucher’s Syndrome, which affects her central nervous system and means she has difficulty walking.
“The carol busking was really successful and raised a lot of money, which I sent out after Christmas. The money arrived on St Patrick’s Day, the same day the insurance company notified Ed that it wouldn’t cover the cost of a custom-made walker. The funds raised from the busking will go towards that and will literally help Mariana get on her feet,” Máire remarks.
Ed, touched by the pupils’ gift, wrote to them to express his gratitude and composed a piece of music for them, aptly named Walk Tall.
“The children haven’t learned it yet but we are looking forward to doing it,” Máire outlines.
This is not the only connection the fourth-class pupils have forged through their newfound music skills.
Following their success on their local streets, the children watched the RTÉ programme Music Changes Lives, which featured two schools in Dublin where children were given a free violin lesson each week.
“We contacted one of the schools, St Ultan’s, to find out where they got their music stands and we have been in contact ever since,” Máire reveals.
When the class from St Joseph’s was invited to take part in a lunchtime concert in University of Limerick on April 13, St Ultan’s showed their support.
“The concert was a great incentive to build up a repertoire. From January to the end of March the children learnt 13 pieces of music, which included Carolan pieces, music from Shetland and Scandinavia, polkas, waltzes and barn dances. Many of these tunes were arranged in two and three-part harmonies, using arrangements by Garry Ó Briain, Seamus McGuire, Tom Anderson and many more,” explains Máire.
“Fourth class from St Joseph’s were the first public performance in the new spectacular theatre in the building. The only person to have performed there before them was Paul Brady, who performed a private concert when the building opened.
“As well as the children from St Ultan’s, pupils from Kilcolgan Educate Together came along to the concert, which was also attended by Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, some members of the Chamber Orchestra and students from the various programmes at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.
“Many parents of fourth class also travelled to the concert. It was such a formal setting that I think some the parents were surprised by how well the children did. The pupils met with Mícheál afterwards and they really had fun with him. The pupils loved the fact they made history because they christened the new theatre with the first public performance,” Máire observes.
The overall experience of learning music has been hugely beneficial to the children, according to their teacher.
“It has increased their self-esteem. It has created a great sense of camaraderie in the school as well. The pupils help each other out and there are no prima donnas. It is lovely. There are a lot of competitions out there but we are all about looking for places for the class to perform, rather than compete,” says Máire.
Now the children in fourth class in St Joseph’s play music every day.
“It is informal really. It is the way it happened. I didn’t really plan it. The pupils bring their instruments in. Sometimes we play first thing in the morning, but usually we have the regular classes and then if they have spare time they play. They just seem to work really hard to make sure they have spare time,” Máire observes.
On May 28, St Ultan’s of Cherry Orchard will travel to Kinvara and will perform in a concert with fourth class in St Joseph’s and some children from Kilcolgan Educate Together.