'Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.'
– Benjamin Franklin

'The children love violin lessons with Beata and look forward to Mondays because of this. She makes the lessons fun and very interesting. Everyone who has seen the children perform has been most impressed – and all this after 10 weeks!'
– L. Cunningham, Scoil Aonghusa Junior, Tallaght

'Children are really enjoying the tin whistle classes...and look forward to this slot every week.... Well structured classes, good classroom management and attention to detail.'
– A. Joyce, St. Paul's Junior School, Greenhills

How does it work?
Who will teach?
Is the programme worth our time and effort?
What about instruments?
What do we need to provide?
Flyers/Enrolment Forms
How do we book?

What is it?

Our In-School Music Programme is a unique partnership designed to bring some of the Dublin area’s finest music teachers right into your primary school, post-primary school or youth project. The programme provides the opportunity for young people to have the enriching experience of learning music at a reasonable price and in a familiar environment. We offer a range of subjects and instruments, and the option of group or private tuition.

How does it work?

One of our teachers will be assigned to your school for a residency, usually ranging from 10 to 30 weeks. He/she will teach weekly classes or lessons that can take place either during school, and integrated into the weekly timetable, or after school. In-school programmes can be paid for by the school, parents association or parents themselves. Residencies can be one-off, they can continue for another period subject to student interest, or you can opt for a different instrument or subject for their next residency. Residences can also be directed towards a final ‘showcase’ performance for other students and teachers of the school.

The group courses, while providing sound instrumental or vocal tuition, aim to do more than that. They are also designed to engage participants in all aspects of active music making: listening, composing and performing. In other words, participants learn the fundamentals of music along with their instruments. Our purpose is to introduce a core subject, music, with an element of fun to young people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it, or simply to provide an accessible and rewarding start to further music education.

‘The Musical Youth Foundation has worked with Waltons New School of Music on our “Guitars for Kids” programmes, and we have found their teachers to be not only highly professional but genuinely dedicated to the advancement of music education for children.’
– Chris Maher, Founder & CEO, Musical Youth Foundation

See a video created by the Musical Youth Foundation, for which we are currently running In-School Music Programme guitar courses:

Who will teach?

Our group course teachers have been carefully selected for their ability to work with and inspire young students, as well as their experience with group music tuition. Private lesson teachers are selected from our own highly-qualified teaching staff.

Is the programme worth our time and effort?

Yes! Music education teaches creative thinking, self-discipline and cooperation. Children and young people who participate in music classes or lessons are more motivated, enjoy their school week more and tend to be better students. Countless studies have shown that intelligence, test scores, reading ability, mathematical ability and social skills are all greatly improved by the study of music and fine arts.

For advocacy articles on the critical importance of music education specifically and arts education in general, see the Why Music? page on our website.

What about instruments?

For the Bodhrán, Guitar, Irish Fiddle, Tin Whistle and Violin classes, each child must have his/her own instrument to practice at home and bring to school. Because of our close association with Waltons Music shops, we are able to supply these instruments at special discounts as part of any course ‘package’. The instruments can be paid for by participants/parents as part of the course fee, or they can be paid for by the participating school/organisation and remain its property.

What do we need to provide?

• African Music & Dance and Music Therapy Classroom or school hall, classroom percussion set (may be purchased at a discounted price from Waltons), with teacher bringing additional instruments.
• Capoeira School hall, CD player.
• Bodhrán, Guitar, Irish Fiddle, Tin Whistle and Violin Classroom or school hall; at least one music stand for every two students, for all courses except bodhrán. Each child must have his/her own instrument to practice at home and bring to school.
• Choir, Singing for Fun and Songwriting Classroom or school hall; acoustic piano, digital piano or electronic keyboard (available at discounted prices from Waltons).
• Junior and/or Leaving Certificate Music Classroom; whiteboard/marker or blackboard/chalk; CD player; acoustic piano, digital piano or electronic keyboard (available at discounted prices from Waltons).

Flyers/Enrolment Forms

We can provide your school or youth organisation with everything you need to get started, including information flyers/enrolment forms to distribute to students/participants and/or parents.

How do we book?

The minimum booking is for a single 1-hour group class or three hours of private lessons per week. Fees can either be wholly or partially underwritten by the school/organisation or the school’s parents association, or else charged directly to parents. The New School can provide flyers/enrolment forms, with course and fee information for parents, for the school to photocopy and distribute. Please use our booking form or contact Sarah Cunningham, Outreach Co-ordinator, for more information.

See left menu for more information on, and the courses and lessons available in, our Primary and Post-Primary programmes, as well as our group course teachers.

Download an Outreach Programme brochure.

Go to Enrolment & Booking Form Downloads for an Outreach Booking & Enquiry Form.

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