Primary School Finalists

The six Primary Finalists, as well as Highly Commended and Commended schools, selected in the 2019 Waltons Music for Schools Competition. Schools are listed in alphabetical order, and Finalist school entry videos, as well as how they addressed the 2019 Competition theme, Music =, are below these.

Finalists

• Bunscoil Loreto, Gorey, Co. Wexford
• Carrig National School, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
• Gaelscoil Moshíológ, An Chraobhach, Co. Loch Garman
• Scoil Nioclais Naofa, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow
• St. John’s National School, Breaffy, Co. Mayo
• St. Mochta’s National School, Clonsilla, Dublin 15

Highly Commended

• Danescastle National School, Danescastle, Co. Wexford
• Gaelscoil Shlí Dála, Buiríos Mór Osraí, Co. Laois
• Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• St. Patrick’s National School, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow
• Sutton Park School, Sutton, Dublin 13

Commended

• Boheshill National School, Glencar, Co. Kerry
• Castlemartyr National School, Castlemartyr, Co. Cork
• Redeemer’s Boy’s School, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• St. Cronan’s Senior National School, Swords, Co. Dublin
• St. Martin’s National School, Saggart, Co. Dublin

Bunscoil Loreto
Gorey, Co. Wexford

Entry

Title ‘Music = Me’
Group Bunscoil Loreto School Ensemble • 36 members, Junior Infants – Sixth Class
• Aileen Kennedy, Conductor

Addressing the Theme

The group had a healthy discussion about the theme, and children had different ideas that included several genres of music. After exploring music from classical to pop to traditional Irish music, they decided that music was in every person and that everyone has music within them and came to the conclusion that music = each one of us. They then entitled the piece ‘Music = Me’, as music is unique to each person. The last part of their performance piece uses the music from ‘This Is Me’, taken from The Greatest Showman musical but incorporating new lyrics to explain their own take on the theme:

Music is the way we feel
Music is what makes us real
Our hearts beat, tap our feet
Makes us who we’re meant to be
It is me!

Look out ‘cause here we come
And we’re beating our Loreto drum
Music equals you ask
We can now remove the mask
It is me!

Carrig National School
Nenagh, Co. Tipperary

Entry

Title ‘Music = Togetherness’
Group Carrig Music Group • 40 members, Fourth – Sixth Class
• Laura Boland, Conductor

Addressing the Theme

The group brainstormed ideas, what songs they would like to include and what other talents everyone could bring to the performance. While suggestions such as music = fun or music = happiness were mentioned, it was decided very early on that ‘music = togetherness’ was the best response. The children pointed out that while they are a group of children from 4th to 6th class with different ideas, musical tastes and musical experiences, none of this matters when they get together on a Wednesday afternoon as a group. All they want to do when they ‘get together’ is sing, learn a new tune or maybe show off a new dance that they were working on outside in the school yard.

Once the theme was decided, discussion turned to what could be included in the piece. They looked at songs they had already covered as a group and decided to use some they knew already as their time together each week is limited – although new songs were later added. Everyone loved The Greatest Showman musical, so a song from that was decided on first. Six of the girls in the group volunteered to choreograph a dance to accompany ‘Come Alive’ and spent most lunch times devising different routines in the school yard. The traditional musicians in the group – both skilled and novice musicians – also wanted to showcase their talents, and since their theme was togetherness, they chose tunes they could all play together, regardless of ability. It was also decided to include some material in Irish as the children felt this was another way to demonstrate ‘togetherness’ as a group as six members don’t study Irish in school – they took it upon themselves to learn the songs by ear. Irish dancing is also important to some of the children in the group, and they wanted to do something to showcase their talents. One child broke her arm two days before their piece was recorded, and she was devastated that she wouldn’t be able to take part; however, the children decided among themselves to swap around dance partners, allowing the injured girl to dance during the light jig instead. Finally, they felt that ‘Shotgun’ by George Ezra summed up the group in one song and just had to be included.

Gaelscoil Moshíológ
An Chraobhach, Co. Loch Garman

Entry

Title ‘Ceol = Mo Lá, ó éirí go luí na gréine’ (Music = My Day, from sunrise to sunset)
Group Ceolfhoireann Moshíológ • 35 members, Senior Infants – Sixth Class
• Carol Scott, Conductor

Addressing the Theme

When the children explored what music equals to them, the most common theme to emerge was that music is part of everyone’s day, from morning to night. They then looked at incorporating pieces that would bring them through the day and chose ‘Fáinne Geal an Lae’ (‘The Dawning of the Day’, a traditional air), ‘Lá Álainn’ (‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers), ‘9 to 5’ (by Dolly Parton), ‘Tá Mothúcáin Istigh Ionam’ (‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ by Justin Timberlake) and ‘Dún do Shúil’ (‘Close Your Eyes’ by Altan). In order to weave the songs together, they decided to include characters going through their day – at work, recreation (dance) and bedtime.

Scoil Nioclais Naofa
Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow

Entry

Title ‘Music Is My Sunshine’
Group Scoil Nioclais Naofa Ensemble • 40 members, Fourth – Sixth Class
• Sinéad Keogh, Conductor • Tommy Brennan, Keyboard

Addressing the Theme

When interested students got together to discuss the theme, a sixth-class student, Chloe McGrane, said that she had composed a song called ‘Happiness Is My Sunshine’ last year with the Competition in mind. She played the piece, and while the lyrics did not quite match the theme, the melody was very catchy and the group were keen to use it. So children from third class and fifth-class student, Andrea Byrne, wrote lyrics to answer what music equals that were incorporated into Chloe’s song, and the title was changed to ‘Music Is My Sunshine’. Chloe had used a two-chord progression in the song, and after the children discussed ideas to further explore the theme, one suggestion was to have different genres of music playing at the same time. So they chose Beethoven’s ‘‘Ode to Joy’ and the hornpipe ‘The Boys of Bluehill’. Playing both pieces together showed that music is equal and that while styles may differ, the basic chord progression can be the same.

St. John’s National School
Breaffy, Co. Mayo

Entry

Title ‘Gráinne Mhaol’
Group Macalla Mhaigh • 39 members, Fourth – Sixth Class

Addressing the Theme

The group, Macalla Mhaigh Eo (Echoes of Mayo), chose to interpret the theme as ‘music tells stories’. They tell the story of Mayo’s most famous daughter, the Pirate Queen Gráinne Mhaol. Gráinne was an extraordinary woman who lived, loved, fought and survived during a pivotal period of Irish history that saw the collapse of the Gaelic order and the ruination of Ireland’s Tiarna (Chieftains). As a girl, and the only child of the powerful Eoghan Dubhdara Uí Máille, Gráinne was not entitled to her father’s throne. So she devised a cunning plan to fulfil her lifelong ambition – she shaved her hair and posed as a boy, thus becoming known as Bald Gráinne or Gráinne Mhaol. Gráinne sailed along the west coast of Ireland with her fleet of ships and fearful warriors, raiding as she went and building up great hoards of wealth. She earned the title ‘Pirate Queen’ and garnered such respect from the people of Mayo that she was eventually crowned Queen of the Uí Mháille clan.

The group chose instrumental, song and dance pieces from traditional Irish music to the story, opening with a powerful call to join Gráinne as she strives to earn her place as head of the Uí Mháille clan. After the Celtic dance and drum roll, they sing a three-part minor melodic harmony to the words ‘Gráinne Mhaol, Queen of the Pirates, she set sail on the ocean wide.’ Gráinne dramatically receives her crown as – having been acknowledged a powerful pirate – she can now become Queen of the O’Malley clan. The drums and treble dancers then summon the people to the coronation of Gráinne. This leads to a piece that combines an Indian air with the Irish sean-nós song ‘Slan le Máigh’ to tell story of Gráinne leaving her native Mayo to travel to many exotic places as a pirate queen.

The clarinet signifies that, once again, the newly crowned queen is ready to set sail. Five harps introduce ‘The Cradling Arms of Cruachán’, composed by local Achill man Des Cafferkey. When all the other traditional instruments join the harps, the dancers/sailors surround Gráinne in her boat in a dance that echoes the motion of the Atlantic waves. Gráinne basks in the glory of her people. A minor drone and the beat of drums then introduces an old jig, ‘The Clare Island Rowing Tune’, which comes from Gráinne’s home of Clare Island in Clew Bay. Here the people pay homage to their queen and bear her gifts. The finale is Pádraig Pearse’s version of ‘Óró ‘s é do bheatha bhaile’, because Gráinne has earned her place as a central figure in the Celtic Revival / Athbheochan na Gaeilge.

St. Mochta’s National School
Clonsilla, Dublin 15

Entry

Title ‘Music = The Story of Life’
Group St. Mochta’s School Choir • 40 members, Fifth – Sixth Class
• George McAdam, Conductor • Caitríona Ní Threasaigh, Piano

Addressing the Theme

Their process began with three songs the children enjoyed singing together and that were developed by adding harmony and colour to their make-up. The children were then involved in a workshop to weave together a story around these songs. Many ideas were suggested by the children, and they eventually settled on both theme and title – ‘Music = The Story of Life’ – after which they worked together on the narrative aspect of the performance piece. They also choreographed some aspects of the routine themselves.

A child is writing in her diary. She writes about making a kite with her beloved granny but vents her frustration at her parents and their parenting. She vows that all will change when she grows up (‘When I Grow Up’ from Matilda the Musical). Time goes by and the girl’s granny passes away. She feels she cannot write in her diary any more as everything has changed (‘Somewhere Only We Know’). In her adult life, the girl stumbles on her old diary, wishes she was a child again and wonders how she made that kite (‘Let’s Go Fly a Kite’ from Mary Poppins).

Post-Primary School Finalists

The six Post-Primary Finalists, as well as Highly Commended and Commended schools, selected in the 2019 Waltons Music for Schools Competition. Schools are listed in alphabetical order, and Finalist school entry videos, as well as how they addressed the 2019 Competition theme, Music =, are below these.

Finalists

• Borris Vocational School, Borris, Co. Carlow
• Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Burkeen, Co. Wicklow
• Davis College, Mallow, Co. Cork
• Laurel Hill Secondary School, Limerick, Co. Limerick
• Pobalscoil Iosolde, Palmerstown, Dublin 15
• St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath

Highly Commended

• Avondale Community College, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow
• Boyne Community School, Trim, Co. Meath
• De la Salle College, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• Manor House School, Raheny, Dublin 5
• St. Fergal’s College, Rathdowney, Co. Laois
• St. Mary’s Secondary School, New Ross, Co. Wexford

Commended

• Clifden Community School, Clifden, Co. Galway
• Coláiste Eoin, Finglas, Dublin 11
• Dundalk Grammar School, Dundalk, Co. Louth
• St. Mary’s Secondary School, Macroom, Co. Cork

Borris Vocational School
Borris, Co. Carlow

Entry

Title ‘Borris Fusion’
Group Borris Vocational School Ensemble • 38 members, First – Sixth Year
• Ciarán Somers, Conductor

Addressing the Theme

For the students of Borris, music equals and is everything – inclusiveness, passion, mindfulness, mental health, emotion, fun, performance, dedication, enthusiasm, teamwork, opportunity, overcoming difficulties. ‘Ride Like the Wind’ encourages bravery, overcoming difficulty, and ‘Fix You’ has become a song that has spoken to countless people worldwide. For some it has been a beacon of light in their efforts to overcome mental health issues; for others it has helped to raise awareness of the complexity and fragility of the mind. The group saw this as an opportunity to add their voices to the positive mental health campaign, which is strongly promoted in the school. The fusion of these songs, combined with traditional Irish music, was intended to lift hearts and minds.

Coláiste Chill Mhantáin
Burkeen, Co. Wicklow

Entry

Title ‘Music Makes Us Who We Are’
Group Coláiste Chill Mhantáin Ensemble • 40 members, First – Sixth Year
• Claire McAdam, Conductor

Addressing the Theme

Coláiste Chill Mhantáin created an Edmodo group to provide a platform for interested students to contribute ideas around the theme. They came up with an acronym based on the word ‘music’: Mental Health, Universal, Social Media, Inclusiveness, Culture. From this, they came up with the title for their performance by taking the ‘us’ out of the word Music: ‘Music Makes Us Who We Are’.

Students could also use the Edmodo group to highlight their individual talents that they felt could enhance the performance, such as dancing, sign language and drama (all offered as TY modules within the school). In a follow-up meeting, the theme of inclusion was explored. This was done in collaboration with the wellbeing department, along with other departments in the school.

The students decided to base their performance on the story of a student who joins the school from another country and finds it difficult to settle and make friends, which begins to affect her mental health. She joins her school social media page where she stumbles upon a post about music and dance classes in school. She finds the courage to attend a class at lunchtime and makes new friends. This shows her that music and dance are ‘equal’ and inclusive for everyone, regardless of culture and ability.

As inclusion emerged as the dominant theme, they discussed a range of possible songs and ‘You Will Be Found’ struck a chord with a number of them; this formed the basis for the performance. They then selected other songs that linked in with the message of this one, keeping in mind Michelle Obama’s words at the 2019 Grammy Awards: ‘Music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys. It allows us to hear one another. To invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters, every story within every voice, every note within every song.’

Davis College
Mallow, Co. Cork

Entry

Title ‘Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now!’
Group Ardú • 36 members, First – Sixth Year

Addressing the Theme

The students brainstormed what music meant to them and described how they felt when they performed as a group. The students decided that music gives them a platform to express their emotions and to escape through immersing themselves in it. They also felt that music allows them to transition between emotions and to let go of their feelings. Music is an escape that empowers, motivates and gives them energy when they’re performing. It can often improve their mindset, and students found performing to be a release that positively affects their well-being. There is something magical about their performing together, and they were proud of this. With this in mind, students and teacher chose their pieces, and since they had a great range of instrumentalists, they decided to include an instrumental section fusing traditional, rock and classical styles – using the late composer Michéál Ó Suilleabháín’s ‘Woodbrook’ alongside a traditional arrangement of ‘The Dublin Reel’. The song ‘Let It All Go’ was chosen as an expression of both negative and positive emotions. Lastly, with many of the students studying Queen in class, they decided to add some fun and energy with the song ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’, which also represents the transition from sadness to happiness.

Laurel Hill Secondary School
Limerick, Co. Limerick

Entry

Title ‘Music = What You Make It’
Group Laurel Hill Music Ensemble • 38 members, First – Sixth Year
• Suzanne Creaven, piano

Addressing the Theme

The group developed a piece which showed that music is for everyone. It is rhythm to some, singing to others, the playing of an instrument to others – and therefore music is, if you like, in the eye of the beholder, Music = What You Make It. Some participants like dance, some like choir, some like drama, while others prefer to play their instruments. The piece allowed students to express themselves through their preferred medium while also inviting them to excel in other mediums.

Pobalscoil Iosolde
Palmerstown, Dublin 15

Entry

Title ‘Queen Medley Tribute’
Group Pobalscoil Iosolde Ensemble • 30 members, First – Sixth Year
• Paul Monaghan, drums

Addressing the Theme

The group chose ‘Music = Inclusiveness’ (whole school participation) as their theme and chose a medley of Queen songs inspired by the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. Students selected a shortlist of songs, assisted in the choreography, arranged the music accompaniment and worked on videography. It was important to have equal student involvement ranging from First to Sixth Year for a ‘whole school’ approach to the Competition.

St. Joseph’s Secondary School
Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath

Entry

Title ‘Music Makes Us’
Group St. Joseph’s Ensemblee • 38 members, First – Sixth Year
• Colin Doyle, Uilleann Pipes

Addressing the Theme

The group decided to focus on their experience of music during their years in school and its significance in their lives by taking each letter of the word MUSIC:

M = memories
During the few years that the students spend in secondary school and through their involvement in competitions such as this one, as well as school musicals, shows, etc., the students making life-long memories.

U = Unity
Students make friends for life through music in school and unite to create something musically beautiful.

S = Sound
Music is sound and sound can be created without instruments or voices.

I = Individuality
Students are encouraged to express their individuality through their musical talents.

C = Creativity
Students are always encouraged to be creative in their musical endeavours.

Their performance begins with an eight-bar composition by the students – Creativity. The next section is ‘A Million Dreams’ – Memories. The next involves the students creating sound through body percussion and two ballet dancers ‘dancing in the rain’ – Sound. In the next, traditional dancers and ballet dancers unite and perform to the traditional tune ‘Fanny Power’ – Unity. And the final section with the soloist displaying her individuality through her performance of the first verse of ‘Thank You for the Music’, concluding with the full ensemble joining in to demonstrate what music means to them: Memories, Unity, Sound, Individuality and Creativity.

Finalists Concert Adjudicators

Evelyn Grant

A member of a well-known musical family from Dublin, Evelyn Grant studied the flute in Germany before returning to Ireland to teach at the Cork School of Music. Her radio career began on RTÉ Cork local radio, and she has been a regular presenter on RTÉ lyric fm since its inception. She recently hosted a number of ‘In Conversation’ events with prominent musicians at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival. Evelyn has for many years been involved in a huge range of music and arts outreach projects and was the first person in Ireland to receive an MA in Community Music (from the University of York). She was subsequently awarded a PhD for her research on ‘Social Inclusion in Music Education’ from University College Cork. In 2007, Evelyn researched and presented a six-part documentary series for RTÉ lyric fm entitled Passions and Policies – Music Education in Ireland. As founder of Cork Music Works, which provides performance opportunities for people with learning disabilities, Evelyn was named as an awardee of Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. With her husband, cellist Gerry Kelly, she founded the Cork Pops Orchestra, and is its musical director and conductor. The CPO has performed to over 10,000 school children annually for over 20 years.

Dónal Lunny

One of Ireland’s most innovative and influential musicians, Dónal Lunny has been at the forefront of the evolution of Irish music for more than five decades. A multi-instrumentalist, he was a founding member of no less than three world-renowned trad supergroups (Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts), as well as Coolfin, Mozaik, LAPD and Usher’s Island; and he has performed and recorded with a veritable who’s who of great Irish musicians, including Andy Irvine, Matt Molloy, Christy Moore, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Liam O’Flynn and Tommy Peoples. In addition to his instrumental work, Dónal founded the Mulligan record label; he has produced albums for such Irish and international artists and groups as Altan, Baaba Maal, Paul Brady, Clannad, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, Christy Moore and Sinéad O’Connor; and as an arranger he has worked with an array of international artists, including The Waterboys, Fairground Attraction and Eddi Reader. Finally, Dónal’s film and television work includes writing original music for such acclaimed television series as Bringing It All Back Home and A River of Sound, performing for the film This Is My Father and composing soundtracks for the Turkish film Teardrops and the Irish film Eat the Peach.