The school is very proud of its orchestra comprising a range of stringed, woodwind and percussion instruments. Orchestra provides pupils with a wonderful opportunity to make music together and to work effectively as a team.
2024 Success:
- Our school orchestra came 1st in Portstewart Music Festival (2024).
Each class takes part in a weekly music lesson as part of 'The Arts', linked into their Thematic topics. Music plays a key role in brain development. It helps to develop language, motor skills, emotional intelligence and collaboration skills.
Children are also given the opportunity to take part in music after school in our school 'Magic Music' club where composition and performance skills are developed through fun and engaging activities.
Our children are given the opportunity to develop their musical skills and learn the following instruments:
- Strings with Mrs Reid
- Woodwind (Flute and Clarinet) with Dr Langton
- Brass (Trumpet/ Saxophone)with Dr Langton
- Percussion with Mr Whiteside
- Piano with Ms Doak
- Voice (Singing and Musical Theatre) with Mrs Sweeney
All pupils have the opportunity at any point to take up lessons with any of our specialised tutors.
Many children achieve recognised grades from 1-5, perform at Coleraine Musical Festival and are part of our School Orchestra.
Children in both Key Stages are given the opportunity to be part of a performances for our school community. Opportunities include Junior school children taking part in 'The Junior Christmas Show' where this year they performed 'Baubles' to family and friends (December 2024) and later this year Senior School children will be taking part in the production 'Aladdin' (2025). In Previous years, children have performed in shows such as 'Peter Pan' and 'Alice in Wonderland'.
Our Senior Choir perform at various events, for example they performed at different Christmas events such as The Macosquin Christmas tree light switch on and St Anne's Cathedral (Belfast) for the annual carol service for the NI Prison Service.
The enjoyment of singing begins in our school from an early age with the opportunities to perform as part of the Infant and Junior Choirs. The Junior Choir enjoy singing together and performing at community events and local festival competitions.
Junior Choir Achievements 2024:
Coleraine Music Festival
P1-P3 choir-Class 39 (Infant Choir) - 1st Cup (2024).
Portstewart Music Festival
P1-3 infant choir- 1st place.
Our senior School Choir is a passionate team who love to sing at school events, festivals and in the community. They rehearse every Wednesday with conductor Mrs Allen and accompaniest Mrs McCrory. A versatile, well trained group, they are renowned for their harmonious singing and enthusiasm. This year, they were selected to sing with the BBC Children in Need Choir on 16th November. On 2nd December our Choir also performed at Saint Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for the Prison Service Benevolent Fund Carol Service. It was such an honour to sing at both of these highly publicised events.
Festival Results for 2024
Senior Choir Success:
Coleraine Music Festival:
- Received The Linnetts Challenge Cup presented to the Senior Choir with the highest marks at Coleraine Festival (Hymn Singing Class) - 1st Place.
Portstewart Music Festival:
- Senior Choir p6/7 - 1st place
- Senior Choir Unison Singing - 1st place
Ballyclare Music Festival:
- Senior Choir won 1st place in 2 classes with distinctions.
Ballymena Music Festival:
- Unison Singing Class - 1st Place
- Accompanied Choirs Class - 2nd Place
SEESAW
The members of the Senior Choir enjoy keeping up to date with new pieces and future events on our Choir Seesaw page. It promotes a sense of teamwork and builds self-esteem.
