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.

 

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.