On Friday, we were very lucky to have a visitor into our class. His name was Shay Lally, and came into the school to do a music workshop with us.

He showed us all the different sections of the orchestra - the string section, the percussion section, the brass section, and he taught us how it was the conductor's job to keep them all playing at the proper volume at the correct time. 

He also showed us how instruments could be played at different volumes - piano for softly, and forte for loudly. 

We got to use different types of percussion instruments to do a call and response with Shay.

We finished off the workshop by using the song "Hey Ho" by the Lumineers to do a choral call and response. It sounded great!
Check out some of the pictures below to see how we got on on the day.

The children have recently been learning this typically popular Irish song for Irish class. 

it tells the story of a young child who is trying to persuade their mother to let them go to the county fair, with no avail!

The boys had great fun learning the words, and practicing their song in their best sad voices, to set the tone of the song.

A copy of the track of song will be posted below the words, but keep your eyes peeled for a video if the boys singing, which will be uploaded shortly.

1. Beidh aonach amárach i gContae an Chláir.
Beidh aonach amárach i gContae an Chláir.
Beidh aonach amárach i gContae an Chláir.
Cé mhaith dom é, ní bheidh mé ann.

Curfá:
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mhuirnín ó ná héiligh é.

2. Níl tú a deich nó a haon déag fós.
Níl tú a deich nó a haon déag fós.
Níl tú a deich nó a haon déag fós.
Nuair a bheidh tú trí déag beidh tú mór.

Curfá:
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mhuirnín ó ná héiligh é.

3. Bfhearr liom féin mo ghréasaí bróg.
Bfhearr liom féin mo ghréasaí bróg.
Bfhearr liom féin mo ghréasaí bróg.
ná oifigeach airm lei lásaí óir.

Curfá:
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mháithrín, an ligfidh tú chun aonaigh mé?
A mhuirnín ó ná héiligh é.

Each year, the pupils from Scoil Phadraig do a wonderful job singing in the choir at the Curragh Parish Christmas mass. They recently sang at the St Brigid Day mass in the local church as well. 

We have decided to set time aside each week to concentrate on all classes working together as a choir and coming together to practice their songs. 

Classes from 2nd class up to 6th class will take part in the school choir, where they will learn and sing a medley of both religious and popular songs. 

We recently got to take part in a music workshop in school. It was amazing! Dave, the magic drum guy who was giving us our lesson brought in lots of different drums and percussion instruments from all around the world.

The main drums which were used by the class were hand drums, which were made from goat skin. These are called D’jambe drums and have a high sound when you hit the outside of the drum, and low sound when you hit the inside of the drum.

We also used ago – go bells from brazil, a gyuiro from  the Carribean and clavs from Cuba.

We had lots of noisy fun with all the instruments!