Musical Explorations
A Pre-Instrumental Music Course
for Children Aged 5-6
Next course starts 20 April 2024.
‘The teacher does a brilliant job with the course. Each child is listened to and well looked after, whether the classes are in the school or online. My son loves the course and has learned lots of new things. He looks forward to every Saturday.’
– N. Anisimov
‘I like the variety, the different instruments introduced and the visiting teachers. My son really enjoys the songs, and he loves to sing them during the week.’
– I. Doicheva
‘The teacher…is lovely, very caring, a natural educator.’
– Z. He
‘[My daughter] really enjoyed coming to her class. It was the highlight of her week, and we would listen to the songs she had learnt all through the week. It was great to see her grow confident amongst the other children. The teacher was great with the kids and always brought a smile to [my daughter’s] face. Thanks again for your help!’
– S. McKenzie
Course Description
Part of Waltons New School of Music’s Music for Me pre-instrumental programme, Musical Explorations, for children aged 5-6, follows on from our Musical Adventures course (ages 4-5) but can also be a great starting point for children with no previous classroom music experience. The course provides children with a range of individual, partner and group activities and games through which they can work with more advanced concepts such as music reading, tempo, dynamics and timbre. In addition to working with a number of classroom percussion instruments, children develop their music reading skills with recorder playing.
Children can repeat this course as long as they remain within the age range of the course. The activities will vary each time the course runs, and the course’s key concepts will be reinforced through repetition.
Questions about the course?
See our main Pre-Instrumental Music Programme page for more information about the programme as a whole and Music for Me FAQs page for some frequently asked questions about our Music for Me courses. You can also use our Contact Form or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to volunteer as ‘helpers’ for one of the classes, although this is not a requirement. Volunteers are there not only to assist the Music for Me teacher with class activities but also to understand better what their children are learning. Participating in your child’s class shows how much you value his or her musical discoveries!
If you have enrolled your child in this course, please complete our Parent Participation Form before the course begins, indicating what date or dates you are available to participate.
Child Safety & COVID-19
The health and safety of children attending lessons and courses at the New School is of the utmost importance to us.
First, the New School has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy in place, and all of our teachers are Garda vetted.
And second, we have made a number of changes to our equipment and policies to make the New School as safe as possible during the time of COVID-19. These include:
- Perspex screens in every classroom.
- Installation of HEPA air filtration/purification units where necessary.
- Antiseptic dispensers available throughout the school.
- Cleaning and disinfection of classroom instruments and furniture between lessons and classes.
- Regular cleaning of public spaces.
See our COVID-19 Safety Policy page for more information on what we have done, as well as the protocols we expect students, parents and visitors to follow.
Balbina Rogala
Hailing from Poland, Balbina was interested in music from a very early age and began learning piano at the age of six at a full-time music school in Cracow. She went to study at the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Cracow, where she received both a BA degree and a Master’s degree in Music Education. Throughout her twelve-year training, she also studied music teaching methodologies such Dalcroze Eurhythmics, as well history of music, theory of music and choral singing. While studying in the Academy, Balbina participated in the Erasmus Student exchange programme, which enabled her to study choral conducting for a year at the Ottorino Respighi Conservatory of Music in Latina, Italy and Dalcroze Eurhythmics for a year at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien (Academy of Music, Theatre and Media) in Hannover, Germany. She has also taken part in many music projects and masterclasses in Poland, Germany, Italy and Ireland as a chorister, pianist and music educator. Balbina has taught both piano and pre-instrumental (early years) music with a number of music schools in Poland and Ireland, as well as with Music Generation. She also works as a piano accompanist for both instrumentalists and singers preparing for examinations and auditions.
‘I am passionate about music education and the opportunities it provides for personal development, and I have thoroughly enjoyed providing these opportunities to students of all ages over the years. I aim to provide each of my students, whatever his or her level or background, with a diverse, accessible and high-quality educational experience.’
2023-2024 Third Term
Course Schedule & Fee
10 weeks, 20 April – 22 June 2024
Saturdays 12.15 – 1 pm
Course Type: In-School
Tuition Fee: €160
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Enrolment Form and full payment of the course fee. Places are limited to twelve and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Many of our group courses fill in advance of their start dates, and early enrolment is recommended.
Have you have enrolled your child?
Please complete a Parent Participation Form.
Purchasing this course as a gift?
Please complete a Gift Certificate Booking Form.
Questions about the course?
See our Music for Me FAQs or
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.