This article is from page 28 of the 2008-06-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
A MUSICAL movement which has been delighting children in east Clare took to the stage last week.
The children’s orchestra from Mountshannon National School came to play a fund-raising concert in Ogonnelloe as part of the orches- tra’s move to encourage children to enjoy music.
Now children from Ogonnelloe Na- tional School have joined the music makers. Orchestra director Jantien Vandenberg says that their doors are open to children from other schools who would like to try their hand at playing an instrument.
The Mountshannon school has mu-
sic classes from senior infants on- EN KO Ke
“Most children will start on tin whistle and then move on to other instruments in first or second class,” said Jantien. “Fiddle is a popular choice, then accordion, piano, gul- tar, banjo, drums and clarinet. Every year at the end of the school term we have a big concert where all the children will play in different groups and solos. That’s how our orchestra started out a few years ago. Now they get plenty of practise as they perform several times a year.”
The young musicians play a Christ- mas carol service, at the Christmas Eve Mass and during the nativity play. In February they were invited
to join the Festival of Junior Youth Orchestras in Galway and Clare. The group also played at the Mountshan- non Arts Festival in May. They will be playing in the Aistear again at the end of year concert in June.
There are a number of music stu- dents also involved in traditional groups. Some years the school has managed to put together a band with electric guitars, drums, a clarinet and a Saxophone.
Classes also perform musical shows during the summer concert.
“The main aim is to get as many children involved in and enjoying music at all stages and combina- tions,’ the orchestra director said.
For the Ogonnelloe concert the or-
cestra was made up of children from infants upwards and they played both classical and traditional music.
“We are trying to open up the or- chestra to children of other schools, at the moment we have a few kids joining us in Gort and Ogonnelloe. Any children wanting to join up for next year are most welcome and can contact me. Any donations will be gladly received and will go towards buying a cello for the school,” said Jantien.