Junior Musicianship

CSM instrumental students are required to attend Musicianship classes in conjunction with their instrumental lessons until they complete the Junior Musicianship Programme. Applications for instrumental lessons from beginners are only accepted from those who have successfully completed at least one year in a Junior Musicianship class. Below are the different classes we offer within the Junior Musicianship Programme. After we meet and assess the student, they will be placed in the most appropriate class to best suit them.

Music Beginners (Junior Infants)

This is an 8‑year Musicianship programme for children who have shown an early interest in music and singing. Children attend classes twice-weekly for 3 years and then weekly until they have completed the programme. The elements of pulse, rhythm and pitch are introduced and consolidated in an age‑appropriate way, involving the exploration of children’s rhymes, games and songs. All applicants to this programme are invited to attend for an informal audition in late May/early June. Children who demonstrate early potential may be offered a place on a twice-weekly class (Code J1+) programme. Children who are not yet ready to join a formal class and who may benefit from an additional year of enhancement will be offered a Pocodots class which is a once weekly 45-minute class for one year only.

Music Beginners (Senior Infants)

The S1 Programme is a 7‑year Musicianship course for children who have already completed a year of formal school education. Children attend classes twice-weekly for 2 years and then weekly until they have completed the programme. Children develop the ability to sing in tune, identify rhythm and metre, and recognise instruments through a carefully chosen repertoire of songs, rhymes and singing games. All applicants to this programme are invited to attend for an informal audition in late May/early June. Children who demonstrate early potential may be offered a place on an S1+ programme, which is a 7‑year course for children with particular emphasis on performance (Code S1-S7/S1+-7+).

Music Beginners (First, Second or Third Class)

Places are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Classes are 45-minutes long twice-weekly initially. Consideration is given to the child’s stage in school when allocating places. In the first year children will learn to sing in tune and to feel and keep the beat in a piece of music. Children may apply to start an instrument at the end of their first year. Acceptance for instrumental tuition is subject to participation in a Musicianship Class, an assessment by the appropriate Department, and the availability of places. CSM Instrumental students are required to complete the Junior Musicianship programme.

Windwise (First to Fourth Class ) 

This is an integrated course offering weekly classes combining treble recorder with musicianship. Entry to the programme is by an informal assessment. Students are introduced to a variety of instruments during the course. Learning to play the treble recorder provides an excellent foundation for the study of any instrument, particularly for wind or brass instruments so this course is highly recommended for those with an interest in these instruments. Students may apply for any instrument of their choice on completion of the course and are automatically placed into a Junior Musicianship Class. 

Access Musicianship Classes (Third Class and upward)

Students of Access Musicianship are instrumental students of MTU Cork School of Music and need to be placed in a Musicianship class. It is also available to external instrumental students with the aim of integration into the appropriate Musicianship class. Interested applicants ideally would have a minimum of one year of instrumental tuition on a music-reading instrument. Applicants will be assessed.