skip to Main Content

Theory • Musicianship
Songwriting Tuition


‘Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the secret places of the soul.’
Plato


Available both in-school and online, the New School’s Theory • Musicianship • Songwriting Programme offers expert individual and group tuition in a range of different subjects for students of all ages and skill levels.

Tuition Offered

Subjects Taught

The development of a complete musician requires far more than simply learning to play an instrument or sing. Tuition in musicianship and theory is recommended for students of all ages, whether they are studying classical, traditional, jazz, popular or world music instruments, and essential for anyone planning to take grade examinations past intermediate level.

The New School offers tuition for students at all levels in:

  • Music Theory (all grades, to diploma level)
  • Musicianship
  • Sight Singing
  • Songwriting
  • Jazz Theory & Improvisation
  • Contemporary & Jazz Harmony & Composition
  • Junior Certificate Music
  • Leaving Certificate Music

At higher levels, the following subjects are available:

  • Harmony
  • Counterpoint
  • Composition
  • Conducting

In-School & Online Tuition

We offer both in-school tuition, which takes in the New School, and online tuition, which takes place in your own home.


In-School Tuition

We have made a number of changes to the school, its equipment and our policies to make In-School tuition (tuition taking place on the New School premises) safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include:

  • Perspex screens in every classroom.
  • Installation of HEPA air filtration/purification units where necessary.
  • Safety signage and clear markings to indicate safe distances between students and teacher and between students in group courses.
  • Antiseptic dispensers available throughout the school.
  • Cleaning and disinfection of both classroom instruments and furniture between lessons and classes.
  • Regular cleaning of public spaces.
  • Reducing the maximum number of students in all of our in-school group courses to three quarters of what they were previously, which also allows for more individual attention.
  • The mandatory wearing of face masks in all public areas of the school and (with the exception of voice and wind instrument tuition) in classrooms. While we strongly encourage all children to wear face masks, we recognise that they may not be appropriate for younger children. However, all parents must wear masks when dropping off and picking up their children.

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.

Finally, should government directives require the school to physically close temporarily, all In-School tuition will move online for the duration of the closure and there will be no interruption of tuition.


Online Tuition

Online tuition is taught by the same expert teachers as our in-school tuition and takes place where you are, anywhere in Ireland or around the world.

For online tuition, you will need:

  • An instrument for tuition and practice (except for voice, theory, songwriting and music technology tuition).
  • An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
  • Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
  • Headphones or earbuds, if possible.
  • Free Zoom software or app.*

*   If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to download and use Zoom for music tuition.

See our Online Tuition page for more information on Online tuition with the New School, as well as the instruments, subjects and courses we offer online.

Tuition Options

Our options for theory, musicianship and songwriting tuition, both In-School and Online, include:

  • Weekly private (one-to-one) lessons, 30, 45 or 60 minutes in length.
  • Group lessons, designed for students at the same level of proficiency who enrol together, and 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.
  • Four group courses: Music Fundamentals, Sight Singing Made Easy, Songwriting Workshop and The Art & Craft of Songwriting (see following tab).

See Tuition Options for more information on private, partner and small group lessons, and Enrolment • Fees for tuition fees and enrolment forms.

Group Courses

Collaborative SongcampFacilitated 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) or elsewhere, or who have already written the music and/or lyrics to one or more songs, our Collaborative Songcamp is an exciting new concept in songwriting tuition.

Our Music Fundamentals I & II courses introduce students to the fundamentals of reading and writing music, as well as to elementary musical grammar, and are recommended for anyone beginning instrumental tuition at the New School.

Designed especially for voice/singing students and choristers, Sight Singing Made Easy allows students to develop simultaneously their music reading skills and practical sight singing.

We offer a Songwriting Workshop during the school year and The Art & Craft of Songwriting workshop in the summer. The workshops are designed to guide students through the entire songwriting process, integrating the craft’s many skills into a seamless artistic whole.


‘This course is perfect for anyone with an interest in music. It starts with the very basics of theory and the information is made easy to understand. There is a good atmosphere in the class, being with people who share your passion for music.’ [Music Fundamentals]
– I. Colgan

‘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 practiced of course, it’s amazing how quickly it became second nature!’ [Sight Singing Made Easy]
– R. Fitzpatrick

‘This course gave me great confidence in songwriting, and to have the guidance of a professional songwriter was so helpful. The course helped me both lyrically and musically to realise my songwriting potential, and I am now constantly writing new material.’ [Songwriting Workshop]
– A. Bradley

‘Melanie O’Reilly is a very experienced teacher and had great suggestions for improving my songwriting. I love her energy, enthusiasm and kind nature. She went above and beyond to assist the whole class to improve their work. I really enjoyed and benefited a lot from this class.’ [The Art & Craft of Songwriting]
– D. Connolly

Leaving Certificate Music

The New School’s courses and workshops together make up one of the most comprehensive Leaving Cert. Music programmes of any music school in the country:

Leaving Cert. Music

  • The Preliminary Course covers the fundamentals of music theory up to Junior Cert. standard as a preparation for Leaving Cert. Music.
  • The Two-Year Course is designed to prepare students for all aspects of the Essential Listening and Composing Activities at Higher level.
  • The Easter Revision Course provides extra preparation to students studying for the exam, either on their own or at school.
  • And the Pre-Exam Revision Workshop offers intensive final preparation, on the Saturday before the exam itself, for both New School and external students preparing for this year’s exam.

See the Leaving Certificate Music section of our website for general information.

Theory • Musicianship • Songwriting Faculty

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for private, partner and small group lessons are listed in the Enrolment • Fees section of our website and depend on the length of lessons as well as the duration (number of terms) of enrolment:

Group course fees are listed on individual group course pages.

Enrolment • Booking

Enrolment for theory, musicianship and songwriting tuition at Waltons New School of Music requires a completed enrolment form and, except for those students using payment plans, full payment of tuition fees. Intensive Lesson booking requires a completed booking form and deposit.


Private, Partner &
Small Group Lessons

ENROL NOW


Group Courses

ENROL NOW


Intensive Lessons

BOOK NOW


Gift Certificates

BOOK NOW


Questions About
Enrolment & Booking?

CONTACT US

Your Feedback

Have you studied – or are you studying – theory, musicianship or songwriting with the New School? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about your experience here.

FEEDBACK


We would also appreciate your Google review, which will help to spread the word about the quality of our tuition.

Other Information

Songwriting • Composition Prize

Scholarship CompetitionThis prize is awarded for the most creative original composition or song for solo instrument, voice or ensemble, performed by the composer or songwriter alone or with ensemble for our annual Scholarship Competition in late May / early June.

See Scholarships • Prizes for more information.

Grade Exam Syllabi

Links to downloadable music theory syllabi (pdf format) with different exam boards:

Student Benefits

Currently-enrolled students (and parents of students) are entitled to several useful benefits, including:

  • Discounts on Waltons World Masters Series Events
  • Discounts from Waltons Music
  • Discounts on Ensembles, Sessions and Music Theory Courses
  • Discounts on Practice Facilities
  • Discounts on City-Centre Parking

See Student Benefits for more information.

blank
Back To Top