Violin and Viola

Starting age ideally age 6 - 8 but older applicants will be considered. Student instruments come in a range of sizes and teachers will recommend the correct size. The school has a number of small violas that may be borrowed as available. Students are generally expected to provide their own violin and second-hand instruments are easy to obtain. 

 

Cello

Starting age 6 – 8 years but older applicants will be considered. The school has some small instruments and aims to provide beginners with an instrument on loan for the first six months or year of tuition.

 

Double Bass

Starting age from 8 or 9 years or older depending on size and hand strength. The school has a number of small sized instruments which can be loaned to students.

 

Harp

The school offers tuition on both Concert Harp and Irish Harp. Beginners from the age of 6/7 years usually start on the Irish harp as the hand technique is the same for each and can choose to move to concert harp at a later stage if they wish.

 

Classical Guitar

Application numbers can be particularly high for guitar so applicants are encouraged to have a second choice of instrument as places are sometimes limited. Guitar students participate in guitar ensemble class when they have reached the appropriate skills level. Starting age 6 – 8 years and upwards.

 

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Suzuki Violin and Cello

Under the CSM Suzuki programme children have access to tuition in five suburban primary schools. St. Catherines GNS Bishopstown, violin; Scoil Barra Naofa boys and girls Beaumont, violin; Gaelscoil Ui Riada Wilton,violin; Eglantine GNS Douglas, violin and cello; Bun Scoil Chriost Ri Turners Cross, violin. Suzuki programme application forms are distributed in the schools in early September each year. Children in Junior and Senior infants of the participating schools are invited to apply. While tuition takes place in the primary school mainly during the school day, the programme is administered by CSM Union Quay.

 

Application Information

Department of Orchestral Studies

 

Applications:

All eligible applicants will be called for an assessment of instrumental suitability, which normally takes place in early June.
When making choices, listen to your child, and let them have first choice. All instruments require daily practice and the motivation should come from the child.

Assessments:

Beginners: The assessment does not require any previous knowledge of the instrument or special preparation. Children will be asked to sing a song and will be given some simple tasks which will be modelled by the teacher assessing them.

Please note that beginners are expected to have completed one year of musicianship.

Non-beginners: Candidates may present two or more pieces they are currently working on, alongside scales of their choice.
There is no requirement to have completed musicianship classes in CSM for non-beginners prior to applying.
Successful candidates in primary school will be expected to attend Access Musicianship classes alongside their instrumental lesson. For secondary level students, there is no requirement to attend musicianship classes in CSM.

Allocation of Places:

Instrumental places are rarely allocated before the beginning of September.
Places will be allocated from the ranked waiting list as they occur, mainly in September, but there are sometimes a few more places arising in the second term.
The waiting list is held for one year only. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to re-apply the following year. See here for information.
While the number of places varies from year to year,  there are always many more applicants than places. An unsuccesful application does not necessarily mean a lack of suitability and every student is encouraged to apply again.