'Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn.'
– Charlie Parker
CONTENTS
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Private, Partner & Group Lessons
The New School offers lessons for beginner, intermediate and advanced students in:
- Clarinet
- Concert Flute
- Irish Traditional (Wooden) Flute
- Harmonica (diatonic and chromatic)
- Recorder
- Saxophone
Clarinet, harmonica and saxophone instruction can include jazz theory and improvisation. Students of wind instruments at the New School can also be prepared for a range of grade exams, from preliminary to diploma level, as well as Junior Cert. Music and Leaving Cert. Music practicals, and instrumental study at the school counts as the 'personal skill' challenge area for Gaisce - The President's Award.
Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons are 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length. Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, are available as 30-, 45- or 60-minute ‘partner’ lessons, as well as 60-minute lessons for 3 or 4 students. Single 1- or 2-hour Intensive Lessons for both individuals and small groups are also available for all of the wind instruments taught at the New School; students must bring their own instruments to intensive lessons.
Go to Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and group lessons, and Enrolment & Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.
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Comments from Students
'My son has made great progress with the saxophone while studying here. While he has worked hard himself, much of this is down to the teacher, who has been both patient and motivating.'
– N. Brophy
'Waltons New School of Music fills an important gap in music education as it is open to newcomers/amateurs, especially adults. It caters for all – from 'hobbyists' to top grade exams – and provides wonderful opportunities for music making. Welcoming and non-judgmental, yet pushing for individual best standards. Tá failte romhat!'
– J. Dillon (flute student)
'I benefited an extraordinary amount from the tuition I received here. I have improved significantly due to the time I've had here and feel more confident in my abilities through these lessons.'
– K. McDonnell (saxophone student)
Have you taken – or are you taking – wind instrument lessons/courses at the school? We would appreciate your feedback!
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Group Courses for Beginners
Beginning students can join Introducing Harmonica, which explores the basics of diatonic harmonica playing in various styles, from folk-rock to blues. No previous musical experience is required.
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Ensembles & Sessions
- The school’s Flute Ensemble is open to students of Grade III standard and above and works on a wide range of repertoire in a variety of styles. It is also an opportunity to meet other players and make some great music!
- The school's two Jazz Ensembles introduce students of all instruments to the art of improvisation through the study and performance of blues and jazz.
- We also run monthly Bluegrass Slow Jams and Trad Slow Sessions, open to both New School and external students/players, on Friday evenings at the school.
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Friday Casual Concerts
The New School’s Friday Casual Concerts are a great opportunity for students of all instruments (and all musical styles) to play in public, in a relaxed and supportive setting, before friends, family and other students. These brief concerts, which take place once a month on Friday evenings at 7.30 pm in the school, allow individual students and ensembles to perform in public, show off their skills and learn how to cope with nerves. They are also highly recommended for students preparing for grade exams.
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Theory & Musicianship
- Beginning students should also consider taking Music Fundamentals, designed to supplement private tuition with the basics of music theory.
- Jazz Improvisation Basics, intended for students with at least one year’s playing experience, is an ideal introduction to improvised music making. Students completing the course can further develop and apply the skills they have learned in this course in the ten-week Jazz Blues Ensemble Workshop (students can enrol for both courses together at a reduced fee) followed by Jazz Ensembles I and II.
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Recommended Instruments & Payment Plans
In association with Waltons music shops, we have selected several recommended instruments for students of wind instruments at the New School. Because the cost of instruments shouldn’t deter students from starting lessons, we have also created payment plans for instruments priced €150 or more that allow students to purchase beginners' instruments or upgrade their existing instruments without a large financial outlay. Payment plans consist of an initial deposit and six monthly payments. Go to Recommended Instruments for more information.
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Faculty
Kevin Carberry (concert flute)
Eamonn Galldubh (traditional flute)
Kieran Moynihan (concert flute, Flute Ensemble)
Michael McInerney (harmonica, Introducing Harmonica course)
Ronan O'Sullivan (clarinet, saxophone, recorder)
Dennis Wijers (saxophone, clarinet)
Located in Dublin city centre, Waltons New School of Music is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. The New School offers tuition in the broadest range of instruments and subjects of any music school in Ireland, for students of all ages, levels and abilities.
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