This article is from page 36 of the 2007-10-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
THERE was plenty of excitement in the air as St Caimin’s Community School in Shannon played host to the RTE symphony orchestra last week.
The school hosted two concerts performed by the orchestra, as part of a week-long residency in Clare.
The initiative was carried out in conjunction with Glor and the Clare County Arts Office and is focused on primary and secondary students in the county.
Students from eight schools in the
mid-west travelled to St Caimin’s for the visit by the orchestra. Those included St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon; Scariff Commu- nity College and Ardscoil Ris, Lim- erick.
Art teacher Anne Whitty, who or- ganised the visit, explained the back- ground to the idea.
“Tt all started with a phone call, months ago. We were asked if we were interested in hosting the event. Representatives from the orchestra came down and viewed the gym, where we chose to host it,” she said.
“This was an enormously signifi- cant event that provided a unique op- portunity to students to experience at first hand the musicianship and pro- fessionalism of a performing group with over 90 members. St Caimin’s school was honoured to be part of an exciting and enriching educational experience,’ said Ms Whitty.
“It is a coup to host this orchestra. It will be one of the highlights of our Arts calendar.
“We are trying to raise the arts pro- file in the school,’ she added.
The programme included extracts
from ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ from the Leaving Certificate curriculum. It also included Brittens’