Now Enrolling for Third Term Group Courses
Waltons New School of Music
We are now enrolling for a wide range of acclaimed group courses, both in-school and online, taking place in our Third Term (April – June 2022). In-school courses take place in the New School itself, and we have extensive equipment and procedures in place to make the school as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic. (See our COVID-19 Safety Policy page for more information on what we have done, as well as the protocols we expect all in-school students and visitors to follow.) And online courses take place where you are, which can be anywhere in Ireland or around the world. (See our Online Tuition Programme page for more information.) They include:
Introducing Courses for Beginners
Intermediate Courses
Theory & Musicianship Courses
NEW Collaborative Songcamp for Songwriters
Music Technology for Beginners Course
Pre-Instrumental (Early Years) Music Courses
Leaving Cert. Music Revision Course & Workshop
Group Courses
for Beginners
Taught by music educators with a wealth of experience, our Introducing courses have provided foundation tuition in a range of instruments, as well as singing, to thousands of absolute beginners over the years. Each term’s courses start from scratch and assume no previous experience.
Introducing 5-String Banjo
1 In-School Class
‘I can’t speak too highly of Waltons New School of Music and of Paddy Kiernan’s tuition for the banjo. I love what I am learning and go away from each class more motivated to learn.’
– M. O’Keeffe
Introducing Bodhrán
1 In-School Class
‘The course was amazing, and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time. We have a fantastic teacher, knowledgeable and happy to introduce us to different types and flavours of music. He was very encouraging, and all in all it was a great experience.’
– R. McAdams
Introducing Guitar for Adults
3 In-School Classes, 1 Online Class
‘As an absolute beginner, I did not expect to learn so much in such a short time. Excellent tuition, and the course was fun as well as rewarding. Thanks and well done!’
– D. Mullins
Introducing Guitar for Children
1 In-School Class
‘An excellent music course for children. I’m delighted at the progress [my daughter] has made – as is she!’
– S. Murphy
Introducing Guitar for Teens
1 In-School Class
‘All together I would give the course 10 out of 10 – great teacher, great staff, great facilities – Waltons has it all.’
– L. Clancy
Introducing Harmonica
1 Online Class
‘I absolutely loved learning to play the harmonica. Michael McInerney’s love for the harmonica is infectious!’
– A. Clements
Introducing Irish Fiddle
1 In-School Class, 1 Online Class
‘I didn’t expect to be able to play seven tunes after only a few weeks. This was a fantastic introductory course that covered the basics perfectly.’
– M. McGoldrick
Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Adults
4 In-School Classes, 2 Online Classes
‘A perfect course for beginners. I’ve already recommended it to a friend and she’s starting next term. I highly recommend Waltons for anybody who always wanted to learn to play an instrument but never had a chance. It’s never too late, and once you start you won’t regret it!’
– V. de Almeida
Introducing Piano/Keyboard for Children
1 In-School Class
‘A great introduction to the piano for children. [My daughter] loved the class and came home each week eager to demonstrate all she had learned.’
– G. Flynn
Introducing Singing for Adults
3 Online Classes
‘A great course for everybody who loves singing! It will help you understand the basics of singing technique, boost your confidence and allow you to meet fantastic people. Highly recommended!’
– J. Kaletka
Introducing Tin Whistle
1 Online Class
‘The classes are the highlight of my week. I tried other instruments but always gave up, never found one that I could enjoy as much as I do the tin whistle. So much of it is thanks to Harry, who is a brilliant, expert teacher, finding the perfect pace to develop and always encouraging the group.’
– A. Boda
Introducing Ukulele for Adults
2 In-School Classes, 1 Online Class
‘I loved every minute of it. Had no idea that I would actually be able to play songs on the ukulele after just a few weeks!’
– S. Thompson
Introducing Ukulele for Children
1 In-School Class
‘My son loved the course and got so much out of it. He came home from each class eager to show us what he’d learned.’
– R. Wakefield
Introducing Violin for Adults
3 In-School Classes, 1 Online Class
‘I have really enjoyed Violin for Adults at the school, especially the outstanding teaching skills, kindness and patience of the instructor. I have to say that choosing this course was a very good decision.’
– S. Zhou
Introducing Violin for Children
1 In-School Class
‘My daughter loved learning violin at the school, and the group environment has also helped her to develop her social skills. Both a stimulating and enjoyable course!’
– M. Devaney
Introducing World Drumming
1 In-School Class
‘I had been looking for a course like this and am so glad I found it. Exceeded all my expectations.’
– E. Donohue
Group Courses
for Intermediate Students
Under the expert guidance of our experienced teachers, our intermediate courses are designed both to complement regular music study and to focus on specific genres.
Acoustic Blues Guitar Basics
In-School Course
‘An excellent introduction to playing the blues. I now really understand the form and how it works, and my playing has improved immensely.’
– F. Dunne
Jazz Piano Basics
In-School Course
‘A solid introduction to jazz and improvised music-making. The teacher is not only a great jazz musician but a supportive and inspiring educator.’
– E. Grennan
Trad Guitar Basics
In-School Course
‘John is a master of many styles of guitar playing – Irish traditional, flamenco, jazz, rock, you name it – and his enthusiasm for all kinds of music is infectious. This series of classes was very informative and fun to attend, and it gave me the basis for practice and improvement over the coming months. I enjoyed them greatly.’
– M. Holmes
Theory & Musicianship Courses
The development of a complete musician requires far more than simply learning to play an instrument or sing. Tuition in theory and musicianship is recommended for students of all ages, whether they are studying classical, traditional, jazz, popular or world music instruments.
Learning to read music, a vital first step in any musical education, needn’t be intimidating. In just 9 weeks, our Third Term Music Fundamentals I course will introduce the essentials of reading and writing musical notation, as well as elementary musical grammar, to music-reading beginners.
An invaluable course for all singers, Sight Singing Made Easy combines essential music theory (treble and bass clefs, notes and note values, time signatures, frequently used terms and signs) with a practical approach to sight singing.
Music Fundamentals I
Online Course
‘I absolutely recommend the Music Fundamentals course to anyone who is interested in beginning on the road to understanding written music.’
– J.M. Burr
Sight Singing Made Easy
Online Course
‘Sight singing is a skill that I thought was beyond me, but when it was broken down and explained well by an excellent teacher, and then practised of course, it’s amazing how quickly it became second nature!’
– R. Fitzpatrick
Songwriting Course
Facilitated by hit songwriter Luan Parle and designed for participants who have previously taken a songwriting course or workshop with the New School (for example, our Songwriting Workshop or The Art & Craft of Songwriting summer workshop) or elsewhere, or who have already written the music and/or lyrics to one or more songs, our NEW Collaborative Songcamp is an exciting new concept in songwriting tuition.
Collaborative Songcamp
Online Course
Music Technology Course
Introducing Music Technology is an inexpensive, practical, hands‐on course designed to teach absolute beginners how a computer or laptop and free music production software can be used to produce professional-quality recordings at home!
Introducing Music Technology
Online Course
‘I have wanted to do a music technology course for years, but the opportunity didn’t come up until I saw that Waltons were offering an online version of their Introducing Music Technology course. Signing up was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I thoroughly enjoyed the course. My zero experience in recording music was no problem because it is tailored for beginners, and looking back on how much I learned in such a short space of time is incredible! The teacher is very friendly, helpful, and explains things in a clear and concise way. I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in the subject!’
– A. Hickey
Pre-Instrumental (Early Years)
Music Courses
Our Music for Me programme provides children aged 3-4, 4-5 and 5-6 with unique introductions to music and music-making, all in a nurturing and creative environment.
Making Music (Ages 3-4)
In-School Course
‘Great classes that help children to develop and appreciate music. [They] leave each week happy and want to return the following week. Everything I had hoped for.’
– D. McKenna
Musical Adventures (Ages 4-5)
In-School Course
‘[A] great teacher, very good with kids. My two children (4 and 5 years old) were in her class, taking their first steps in music. After only few weeks, they were soaking up music basics without even realising it, while having real fun002E’
– S. Cesvre
Musical Explorations (Ages 5-6)
In-School Course
‘The teacher does a brilliant job with the course. Each child is listened to and well looked after. My son loves the course and has learned lots of new things. He looks forward to every Saturday.’
– N. Anisimov
Leaving Cert. Music
Revision Course & Workshop
Our Leaving Cert. Music programme is the most comprehensive of any music school in Ireland. The programme includes a two-day Easter Revision Course in April and a one-day Pre-Exam Revision Workshop in June, both designed to provide intensive preparation to students studying for this year’s Leaving Cert. Music exam, either at school or on their own. They include revision of all of the exam’s Listening and Composing Essential Activities, can be taken by students living anywhere in Ireland and have prepared hundreds of students for the Leaving Cert. Music exam.
Easter Revision Course
Online Course
‘In the two days that I’ve done this course, I feel more confident about the exam than I’ve felt in two years at school.’
– E. Whelan
Pre-Exam Revision Workshop
Online Workshop
‘[The workshop] was brilliant. The notes on melody writing and all studied pieces are really easy to understand, and this has really helped my knowledge of the Leaving Cert. Music course!’
– P. Fleming
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.