Music charms students in Ballyfermot

By Maurice Garvey

MUSIC students in Ballyfermot are now using software which provides them with a platform to create musical numbers in their mini-studio.

Students at St Dominic’s Secondary School have seen their music skills go from strength to strength over the last 10 years, according to music coordinator Ms O’Rourke.

Ms O’Rourke said: “Thanks to Dublin City Council, Dominican Sisters, and our principal Mary Daly, we have the best musical resources.

Their encouragement for the arts in our school and their vision for the young women of Ballyfermot is unrivalled.

“Our students are given every opportunity to learn to play instruments such as violin, cello, guitar, recorder and piano. Also in recent years we have started a ukulele club, which is becoming very popular.

 

Students can also nourish their love of singing by attending singing lessons and extra-curricular activities such as Glee Club and choir.”

St Dominic’s students study music for State exams and Leaving Cert, with 50 per cent of the grade going towards a performance exam, where students play an instrument, sing, or learn to use music technology software.

Senior music students have recently started to use software which allows them to create backing tracks, and then set up a mini recording studio to record themselves.

“This leads to great results in the subject – music students have had excellent results in the Leaving Cert over the last number of years and some students are now studying music at third level,” said Ms O’Rourke.