New Online Music at Work Courses & Tasters

Background

Our innovative Music at Work Programme was designed to provide convenient and affordable music courses and workshops in Dublin-area workplaces.

The companies and organisations the New School has worked with – including Abbott Ireland • Aer Lingus • Bank of Ireland • Brown Thomas • CPL Recruitment • Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade • KPMG Ireland • Leman Solicitors • MMTA Ireland • National Treasury Management Agency • and Vodafone – have all recognised the enormous potential of group music learning and music making in the workplace to:

• Reduce stress
• Tap hidden potential and creativity
• Promote communication and listening skills
• Encourage support and trust
• Improve interaction both among colleagues and between junior and senior staff

We are now offering this unique programme online. Designed for absolute beginners and taught by experts, our online Music at Work courses and Irish Music Tasters can be accessed not only from anywhere in Ireland but from anywhere in the world.

Online Courses

Our online Music at Work courses are based on our popular 10-week ‘Introducing’ courses, which over the past 25 years have taught over 20,000 adult beginners to play an instrument or sing. We offer the following courses, which can be arranged for your company or organisation on days and times that suit both course participants and the teacher:

Introduction to Bodhrán
Introduction to Guitar
Introduction to Irish Fiddle
Introduction to Piano
Introduction to Singing
Introduction to Tin Whistle
Introduction to Ukulele
Introduction to Violin

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Introduction to Bodhrán

This simple wood and goatskin drum, hit with a wooden stick or beater, is the heartbeat of Irish music, and there’s nothing that quickens the pulse quite like the beat of the bodhrán! In this course the main rhythms of traditional music – reels and jigs – are covered, and classes move on to polkas, hornpipes, slip jigs, etc. When participants mastered playing ‘straight’ in these metres, they can take on contemporary playing styles which may integrate influences from rock, funk, Latin rhythms, etc. and are encouraged to find a style of their own. All participants will need to have bodhráns (preferably 16-inch and tuneable) and beaters for both classes and practice. *

‘Great teacher, full of knowledge, who made the classes fun and incorporated extra teaching tools to go above and beyond.’
– T. Stephenson

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Introduction to Guitar

This course offers a comprehensive and enjoyable introduction to the guitar and what it can do. Students begin with basic left- and right-hand technique, and classes then progress through a varied and interesting repertoire – including folk, pop and rock songs – while students develop a range of guitar skills. The Introducing Guitar for Adults course that this is based on has given hundreds of adult beginners an impressive grasp of guitar fundamentals. All participants will need to have either steel-string acoustic guitars or nylon-string ‘classical’ guitars for both classes and practice. *

Great, knowledgeable teacher. This beginner guitar class helped me go from not knowing one end of a guitar from the other to actually being able to play songs!’
– A. Veale

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Introduction to Irish Fiddle

This course introduces beginners to the basics of playing this beautiful, subtle and demanding instrument – including holding, bowing, fingering, etc. – and guides them through the main forms of traditional music (jigs, reels, hornpipes, airs, etc.), including some of their many variations. Regional and individual playing styles will also be covered, giving students an important first source of repertoire. By the end of the course participants will be able to play a number of great traditional tunes! All participants will need to have full size violins, bows and shoulder rests for both classes and practice. *

‘I didn’t expect to be able to play seven tunes after only ten weeks. This was a fantastic introductory course that covered the basics perfectly.’
– M. McGoldrick

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Introduction to Piano

This course encourages the development of each person’s abilities in an atmosphere of relaxed concentration. Participants learn the fundamentals of keyboard technique – as well as basic music theory, sight-reading and chordal accompaniment – while progressing through a varied and interesting repertoire that ranges from classical to pop. The course has introduced hundreds of adult beginners to the basics of playing piano. All participants will need to have acoustic pianos, digital pianos or electronic keyboards for both classes and practice. *

‘The course is fantastic. I knew nothing about piano and keyboard, and now I am excited to continue and feel comfortable and confident in what I’’e learned thus far.’
– A. Scobie

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Introduction to Singing

This popular course is designed to take some of the mystery out of singing, improve your confidence in singing before an audience and introduce you to the fundamentals of voice training. You’ll observe and participate in basic singing tuition, learn how to choose songs that suit you and your voice, and begin to explore the technical side of singing, discovering the application and use of Focus and Support. But most of all you will learn – in a relaxed and supportive environment – to get up in front of others and sing!

‘The course was so much more than I expected. I learned so much and gained confidence within myself. The teacher was an inspiration!’
– C. McGowan

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Introduction to Tin Whistle

A simple tube of metal with six finger-holes, the whistle has an expressive range that can encompass everything from the speed and excitement of dance music to the haunting and emotionally-charged expression of slow airs. This course teaches all the basics of whistle-playing, covering such aspects as tonguing, vibrato and slurring, and including some ornamentation and variation. Participants will concentrate on slow airs, jigs and polkas, but other forms may be touched on as well. By the end of the course participants will be able to play a number of great traditional tunes! All participants will need to have D tin whistles for both classes and practice. *

‘I really enjoyed learning step-by-step from a master of the instrument, in a relaxed atmosphere.’
– G. McManus

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Introduction to Ukulele

Today the ukulele is one of the most popular instruments in the world – and with good reason. It is accessible, rewarding and beautifully versatile. This course is the ideal way to kick start participants’ uke playing. Students will learn fundamental techniques, chords, strumming patterns and fingerstyle in a fun and supportive group setting. Everything is taught through popular music (pop, rock and folk), and by the end of the course participants will not only have the necessary skills to play the songs they love, they will have already started doing so! All participants will need to have ukuleles (ideally ‘concert’ size) for both classes and practice. *

‘Fantastic course and great teacher. Learned far more than I expected to in 10 weeks!’
– R. O’Sullivan

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Introduction to Violin

Let’s start by getting rid of the myth: if you want to play the violin you don’t have to start at an early age. True, if you want to be the next Maxim Vengerov, Anne-Sophie Mutter or Nigel Kennedy it helps if you begin quite young, but at the New School we believe that students at any age can learn to play this magnificent instrument – and play it well. All participants will need to have full size violins, bows and shoulder rests for both classes and practice. *

‘This course is great! My class has a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere that is a pleasure to be part of, and I’ve learned loads.’
– E. Finnegan

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*  Because of the New School’s association with Waltons Music Ireland, Waltons can provide instruments for Music at Work course participants at discounted prices.

Online Irish Music Tasters

Running since 1999, the New School’s Irish Music Tasters have introduced thousands of people all over the world to the beautiful melodies and infectious rhythms of Irish Music. Our online ‘Tasters for Team Building’ are great opportunities for interaction and fun. They’re also ideal for companies that have offices in more than one country, allowing them to bring together employees who would otherwise not have ways to interact outside of work.

‘I asked Waltons New School of Music if they could help with a corporate meeting using bodhráns to demonstrate the power of rhythm in a business context. The process was a real pleasure, and everyone I dealt with was knowledgeable and helpful. The session itself was facilitated by Éamonn Galldubh. Ahead of time, Éamonn quickly understood what we wanted to achieve and worked collaboratively on ideas to make the session a success. On the day he quickly established both his credibility and a rapport with the audience. He was a fantastic teacher, had just the right balance of humour, understood perfectly the messages we wanted to incorporate and worked seamlessly with the team without any rehearsal. The session was a resounding success and exceeded my expectations; our team not only got the messages but had so much fun to boot. Waltons handled all the logistics, and I would recommend them to anyone considering a similar event. A first class service.’
– S. Heaven, Vodafone

We offer:

• Bodhrán Tasters – introducing some essential playing techniques as well as the two most important rhythms of Irish music, reels and jigs.
• Tin Whistle Tasters – introducing the essentials of playing this beautiful and expressive Irish instrument, as well as a selection of great Irish tunes.

We also offer Combined Tasters that can include both of these.

Course Requirements

A minimum of four participants is required to book an online Music at Work course (maximum of six participants per course). And all participants will need:

• An instrument for tuition and practice (except for the Introduction to Singing course).
• An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone.
• Headphones or earbuds, if possible.

*  Because of the New School’s association with Waltons Music Ireland, Waltons can provide instruments for Music at Work course participants at discounted prices.

Taster Requirements

Online Bodhrán and Tin Whistle Tasters can accommodate up to 80 participants, and all participants will need a bodhrán and/or tin whistle. Again, Waltons can provide instruments for participants at discounted prices.

Booking • Fees

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Booking

Booking a Music at Work course requires a €100 deposit and completion of our Music at Work booking form.

BOOK NOW

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Questions about a course or Irish Music Taster?

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Fees

Music at Work course fees can be paid for by participants or by the company or organisation. The fees are €195 per participant (inclusive of 23% VAT) for 10-week Music at Work courses.

Irish Music Taster fees depend on the number of participants involved. Please get in touch with your requirements, and we’ll be happy to give you a quote.

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