Leaving Cert. Music
Online Easter Revision Course
Intensive Preparation for the
Leaving Cert. Music Exam
Friday & Saturday, 18 & 19 April 2025
‘Every topic covered, with plenty of tips for higher marks. Very helpful, with an exam oriented and enthusiastic teacher.’
– J. Foley
‘Very well taught! Notes are easy to understand, and it definitely boosts your confidence.’
– C. Hillary
‘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
Course Description
Waltons New School of Music’s Leaving Cert. Music Easter Revision Course is designed to provide intensive preparation to students studying for this year’s Leaving Cert. Music exam, either at school or on their own, and it includes revision of all Listening and Composing Essential Activities. An online course, it can be taken by Leaving Cert. Music students anywhere in Ireland.
The following elements are covered in this course:
Listening
- Analysis of the four prescribed works
- Identification of melody, rhythm and harmonic cadences in the context of the four prescribed works and other works
- The variety of styles and contexts of Irish traditional music today
- Comparison of different musical styles, including popular music
Composing
- Rudiments of harmony and counterpoint
- Two and three-part writing (treble melodies and bass supporting lines, as well as descants) with accompanying guitar chords
- Melody writing in the context of word-setting and as a continuation of a given phrase
Course handouts, in pdf format, will be provided for further study and revision.
The course fee also includes free admission to our Pre-Exam Revision Workshop on Saturday, 15 June 2024.
Students taking Higher Electives in Listening or Composing are reminded that the special topic of their choice will be assessed on the day of the Composing and Listening core examinations. (The course does not include preparation for the Performing element of the exam.)
Requirements
Participants in this course will need:
- An internet-connected laptop, computer, tablet or smartphone. (A laptop or computer with webcam and microphone is strongly recommended, as it will have the largest picture.)
- Headphones or earbuds, if possible.
- Ideally, internet speed at least 1.5Mb per second. (You can test your speed using Measurement Lab’s Speed Test.)
- Free Zoom software or app.*
- Copies of the Prescribed Works and music manuscript paper. If you don’t have manuscript paper, you can download printable manuscript paper here.
* If you haven’t learned music with Zoom before, please see our printable Zoom for Students information sheet for information on how to set up Zoom for music tuition.
Before the course begins, the teacher will email you a Zoom meeting invitation that includes a meeting ID and password to join.
Enrol in this course.
Questions about the course?
or call us on (01) 478 1884.
Aodh Quigley
An experienced post-primary music teacher, choir director and singer, Aodh (he/him) holds a BMusEd degree from Trinity College Dublin and TU Dublin Conservatoire, where he specialised in flute performance and composition, as well as an MA in Choral Studies from Dublin City University. He has a great interest in singing, conducting and composing for choirs of all ages and abilities. In addition to his work as a music teacher, Aodh currently sits on the committee of Kodály Ireland as both Inclusion Officer and Public Relations Officer. And he is currently the Marketing Officer with Pipeworks International Organ and Choral Festival. Aodh is committed to inclusive musical excellence in education, and he is passionate about helping Leaving Certificate students reach their full potential in the examinations and beyond.
‘I believe that learning to perform and appreciate music is a hugely life-affirming thing, at any age or stage. That has been my experience, and it is an absolute honour to find myself in the position where I can pass this joy and this love on to others through music education in lots of different settings. Teaching Leaving Cert. Music is an opportunity to do this in a unique way, as many of my students over the years have told me that even if school is difficult, coming to music class is something they look forward to in their week. It’s a privilege to guide students through this uniquely creative subject that is so close to my heart!’
Reviews • Testimonials
‘Excellent notes, very precise and accurate…’
– N. Boland
‘Really great notes and has made my understanding of melody and harmony writing much better.’
– A. Bourke
‘The teacher was very easy to understand and was willing to answer any questions.’
– J. Bumanglag
‘I really enjoyed the course, as we got good notes and excellent advice. It will really help me with my exam.’
– N. Conlan
‘Everything needed for your exam in one place. The teacher was very good and explained everything, particularly the composition paper.’
– A. Connolly
‘Really enjoyed it. Straightforward notes made the course a lot easier to understand. And good to get a different perspective on the course.’
– S. Crumplin
‘The notes were fantastic, and I really enjoyed the course.’
– K. Daly
‘Really interesting course which covers all the Leaving Cert. Music content in a concise and interesting way, with a very enthusiastic teacher.’
– S. Dolan
‘Very helpful in preparing for the exam.’
– E. Downey
‘The course provides a lot of useful information and broadens your knowledge of music.’
– L. Gadd
‘Engaging, funny teacher who covered the course well. A very beneficial, enjoyable course. Well done!’
– M. Grehan
‘It was very helpful, and we covered the whole course in a short space of time. It was great for jogging my memory and furthering my knowledge on the subject.’
– N. Harkin
‘Great quick, precise revision for the exam in June, focusing on problematic areas.’
– E. Harper
‘It gave me a much greater insight into the pieces / set works.’
– O. Hickey
‘Very well taught – the teacher knows his stuff! I learned more with him in two days than in two years at school. Notes are easy to understand, and it definitely boosts your confidence towards the exam.’
– C. Hillary
‘The course was very helpful and easy to understand. All aspects were explained and covered in a simple and efficient way.’
– R. Huang
‘The course was very well structured, and we covered a lot of material in a short time. We also received excellent notes.’
– E. Hudson
‘I thought it was a very effective way of learning, clearly explaining all of the course to us.’
– F. McCann
‘The teacher had an excellent knowledge of music and inspired me! Extremely good notes…easy to apprehend.’
– S. Madden
‘The course was great for refreshing the material and clearing up any issues I had with understanding the set works.’
– B. Mitchell
‘The teacher explained everything clearly and efficiently [and] made the complicated works easier to grasp.’
– P. Mulkerrin
‘All extremely clear and thorough. Brilliant notes.’
– R. O’Dea
‘Very clear and informative. A must for music students. A great teacher.’
– M. Oliver
‘The course really helped to boost my music knowledge and helped me to revise over what I already know. The notes were succinct yet highlighted the most important parts. Overall, an excellent course.’
– J. Orr
‘I learned way more in the last two days than in the last few months.’
– I. Prasai
‘A fantastic opportunity to go over the course with a lecturer who really knows his stuff.’
– J. Richardson
‘Very thorough and clearer than what we learned in school. Great value and great content!’
– E. Robinson
‘Great experience – I highly recommend it. Excellent teacher and notes, very well explained and easy to understand.’
– A. Traynor
Have you taken this course? We would appreciate it if you could take a few moments to give us your feedback in a brief online questionnaire about it.
Course Schedule & Fee
DATES
18 & 19 April 2025
SCHEDULE
Friday 4 – 7 pm
Saturday 10 am – 1 pm, 1.45 – 4.15 pm
Tuition Fee: €160
(includes Pre-Exam Revision Workshop on Saturday, 14 June 2025)
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Leaving Cert. Music Enrolment Form and full payment of the tuition fee. Places on the course are available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment. Early enrolment is recommended, as places are limited.