Leaving Cert. Music
Online Two-Year Course
Covering All Core Listening and
Composing Activities at Higher Level
24 September 2024 – 27 May 2025
‘A very positive and refreshing environment in which to learn. Also the opportunity to be in a class with likeminded people who are doing this course because of their love of music brings a whole new element to learning. Many thanks Waltons!’
– A. McEneff
‘I really enjoyed my time here and feel it prepared me well for the Leaving Cert.’
– L. Nolan
Course Description
Waltons New School of Music’s Leaving Cert. Music Two-Year Course is a comprehensive course covering all Core Listening and Composing activities of the exam. Although the course does not include preparation for the Performing activity (students are responsible for their own work in this area), students enrolled in the Two-Year Course are entitled to a 10% reduction in fees for 30-minute private lessons in any instrument (including voice) with the New School during the 2024-2025 and/or the 2025-2026 school years. Students taking a Higher Elective in Composing or Listening are responsible for their own preparation of this elective, with some guidance from the course teacher, who is also available for private tuition in these areas.
The Two-Year Course comprises 1 ¼ hours of weekly tuition over 29 weeks per year. And for extra preparation, students taking Year Two of the course may also attend, at no additional cost, the New School’s Easter Revision Course and/or our Pre-Exam Revision Workshop.
Self-Assessment
Prospective students who have not completed Junior Cert. Music and who are unsure whether or not to take this course should download, print and complete our Leaving Cert. Music Self-Assessment. If you have difficulty answering any of the questions in the Self-Assessment, we recommend that you take the New School’s Leaving Cert. Music Preliminary Course or private music theory tuition before commencing this course.
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.)
- 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 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 the first class.
In addition, Year One students should purchase the following books (available from Waltons Music and other music shops) before the course begins:
- Sealy: Soundscapes: The Prescribed Works, Group B (Waltons Publishing)
- Long & Sealy: Soundscapes: Irish Music & Aural Awareness (Waltons Publishing)
- Costello: Leaving Certificate Music Workbook: Course B (Folens)
- Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major (Eulenberg)
- Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique (Eulenberg)
- Deane: Seachanges (with Danse Macabre) (Contemporary Music Centre)
- A spiral-bound A4 music manuscript book
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
‘Very informative. Good classes and a huge aid coming up to my Leaving Cert.’
– D. Cullen
‘It’s good to do music outside your own school to experience a different setting. I would recommend it as an extra subject if you love music.’
– S. Doherty
‘The teacher really contributed to my learning development and knowledge of music.’
– T. Eccles
‘Well explained, well organised, comprehensive and interesting course.’
– M. Gilligan
‘Very interesting. Great to understand how music works.’
– R. Hayes
‘Clear and informative – and of course the teacher is great!’
– C. McEneff
‘The teacher had a very solid understanding of the course.’
– B. Marsh
‘I liked the one-to-one attention and had a more rounded understanding of music after I did the course.’
– S. Melvin
‘After completing my first year of Leaving Cert. Music, I feel as though I am much more knowledgeable about music as a whole, thanks to the tuition! Also, the atmosphere of the school is extremely welcoming and the staff are lovely!’
– R. Nolan
‘Concise, easy-to-study information. I feel confident about the exam.’
– P. O’Donohoe
‘The small class made it easier to learn and interact. Everyone could answer (or ask) questions in class.’
– H. Phillips
‘The teacher is great…and very approachable, and there is a feeling of security as you are not afraid to ask questions.’
– J. Richardson
Have you taken – or are you taking – 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.
2024-2025 Course Schedules
29 weeks, 24 September 2024 – 27 May 2025
Year One (2026 exam): Tuesdays 5 – 6.15 pm
Year Two (2025 exam): Tuesdays 6.30 – 7.45 pm
(Schedule of classes/holidays to be provided at start of term.)
Prerequisite
Junior Cert. Music, Preliminary Course or equivalent
Fees
| COURSE | FEE | PAYMENT PLAN ¹ |
|---|---|---|
| Year One or Year Two – Course Alone | €480 ² | €166 deposit, two payments (1 November, 1 December) of €165 |
| Year One + Preliminary Course | €600 ³ | €206 deposit, two payments (1 November, 1 December) of €205 |
Enrolment
Enrolment for this course requires a completed Leaving Cert. Music Enrolment Form and either full payment of the tuition fee or a deposit and payment plan authorisation. Places on the course are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, based on the date of enrolment.
a comprehensive music centre in the heart of Dublin.