The Music Department is an active Department as there is always something to be worked towards – Opening Masses, Graduations, Christmas, Easter, Musicals, Choirs, Seachtain na Gaeilge, Bands etc. We are blessed here at St. Colmcilles with such a varied and superb talent.

Listening

The Students listen to a wide variety of Music.  They learn how to analyse whilst listening.  The music on the present course extends from before Baroque Music to the Present Day music.  They learn about pitch, rhythm, dynamics, mood, texture and different genres.  Irish Music features strongly and they also listen and learn about jazz, classical, film music, dance music, pop music, rock music, religious music etc.  They have a chance also to focus on music that they are interested in personally. 

Composing

The students learn about how to write music.  They learn the stave, the clefs, the note values, bar lines, phrases etc.  They learn to compose 4 bar melodies and learn all about chords.  They learn backing chords.

Performing

Part of the students Examination is performance.  In every class there will be some performance – either clapping, singing, making the rhythm.  The students can then in groups or individually get pieces ready for their examination in 3rd year.  They have the option of performing 4 pieces on one instrument or 2 pieces each on two different instruments.  They can sing solo or can sing in a group.  Again they have the opportunity to perform music that they like.