Presentation Secondary School Thurles

Music

We have a long tradition of Music in the School and our Music Department has grown and developed over the years in order to meet the individual needs of our students.

Each Year the following takes place in our school

School Musical

Year group choirs entered for the annual choral examinations run by the Department of Education & Science.

Auditions are held at the start of the school year for Main School choir which enters competitions.

Tuition in instrumental music is available in piano, flute, violin, cello, guitar, tin whistle, saxophone and clarinet to exam level.

Our traditional group, our school orchestra and choir students make an enriching contribution to all our school gatherings, including our school liturgical celebrations, our Christmas Carol Service and above all, our school musical.

On Friday Dec 4th 2009, we invite students, staff, parents and the general public to our school musical evening in co-operation with Comhaltras Ceoltoiri Eireann(Ceol na Leanaí)

Venue: School Assembly Hall

Music in Presentation Thurles 2008-2009

Musical Life in Presentation Thurles was in full flight from the end of August 2008 as students returned awaiting auditions for the school show. All concerned in this year’s show “Fiddler on the Roof” produced a magnificent show in an alternative venue this year, The Premier Hall.

The school orchestra had to take a break from rehearsals to perform at the opening school year mass but their versatility allows them to move from sacred to secular with the greatest of ease.
Following the show and the Halloween break the students were busily singing and practicing their carols and all first years were tuning up their voices and instruments for the annual First Year Concert from which emerged many talented performances.

On November 14th all transition year students together with their music teachers travelled to Cork to see the annual “Cork Pops Orchestra” in Cork City Hall. The theme for this year’s concert was “Music of the Stars”. Some of the music the students enjoyed included the “Star Spangled Banner” and “Fly Me to the Moon”. A very enjoyable time was had by all.

The Christmas holidays being over and the students returned to prepare the prelude and interlude for the school’s fashion show which took place in February. The blend of Traditional Irish music, Solo song artists and Hip-Hop dance provided a welcome balance to the catwalk routines and the atmosphere was electric on the night.

The historical opening of the school’s Sports Complex was definitely the highlight of the second term and the complex musically lends itself to acoustic tones in both instrumental and vocal forms. First and third years had the chance to perform a choral piece to a genuinely appreciative and dignified audience. The school orchestra provided a showcase for many musical delights on the day including our National Anthem “Amhrán na bhFian”.

The following paragraph has been put together by some of the students recalling their experience of being in Tipp FMs ”Premier Star Competition”.

”Being part of a competition where 26 Tipperary schools auditioned
for a place in the next round was fantastic. After the initial audition
here in the sports complex four of us were selected to go forward to
the quarter final stage. The four of us are Ciara Aherne, Megan
O’Sullivan, Stacey Taylor and Katie Lawless. The judges commended
our performances and Ciara, Stacey and Katie were selected to go
forward to the semi finals from which Stacey and Ciara advanced to
the final. Although victory wasn’t theirs on the night both girls
performed to the highest of standards and all four of us really
enjoyed and benefited from our experience. Well done to Tipp FM for
highlighting and promoting the variety and quality of young talent in
Tipperary.”

In conclusion, it must be said that many students with a wealth of musical talent may never come to the forefront in the musical life of the school year but are diligently enjoying and preparing for concerts and exams in an unassuming fashion. Perhaps 2009 / 2010 will see the emergence of this unassuming talent adding to the ever vibrant and passionate love of all things musical in our school.