Music
Music in Midleton CBS
Teacher: Mr. Fintan Finn BA, BMUS, HDE, ALCM
Subject Aims:
-
To prepare students to sit the Junior and Leaving Cert Music Examinations.
-
To help develop the students’ musical interests both inside and outside the school setting.
Subject Objectives:
Listening Skills: To help the students to develop their listening skills and the ability to use appropriate descriptive terminology in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Composing Skills: To help the students to develop their rhythmic, melodic and harmonic composing skills in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Performing Skills: To help the students to develop their performing skills as solo and group players in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Teaching & Learning Methodologies
-
Negotiated Learning
-
Formal input by teacher
-
Practical work
-
Group work
-
Project work
-
Classroom discussion
-
Student’s own research
-
Cross-curricular cooperation.
-
Demonstrations
-
Use of CDs
Course Content:
Listening:
Songs: Songs’ backgrounds, relevant musical features and contexts within their musical genres and place in history. We cover eight song-categories as set out by the Department of Education and Science.
-
Irish Folk Songs
-
Folk Songs from Other Countries
-
Art Songs
-
Historical and Modern Ballads
-
Popular Songs
-
Religious Songs
-
Songs from Stage
-
Polyphonic Songs
Works: Works’ backgrounds, relevant musical features and contexts within their musical genres and place in history. We cover…
Irish Music: Introduction to Irish music; the songs, dance tunes, instruments, history and contemporary issues.
Dictation: To help the students to gain an understanding of musical notation. To teach them to aurally identify basic rhythms and diatonic pitch and to notate what they hear.
General Study: Introduction to jazz and its historical and social context. Students should be able to write knowledgeably about the musical features of jazz and give examples of where these musical features may be heard in music they have studied as well as in the wider community.
Composing:
-
To prepare the students to undertake the triad, melodic and chord composition questions in the Junior and Leaving Certificate Examinations.
-
To encourage students to compose idiomatically in imitation of styles they meet while studying for their listening exam.
Performing:
-
To help prepare students to present themselves for the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Practical Examinations on the tin whistle and/or other instrument(s) of choice.
-
To teach students to clap back and then play back short rhythmic and melodic motifs on the tin whistle having first heard them repeated a number of times.
-
To encourage students to perform their own compositions.
Music Club:
Music club takes place every Thursday lunch time and is open to all students who either play instruments or would like to simply observe other students in action. Here, the students are allowed to jam in whatever manner they like and make music fun for their own enjoyment.
Talent Show:
Every year, on the day of the Christmas holidays, we have a talent show. All students in the school community are invited to put forward acts for this display. And every year, the students succeed in coming up with everything from the most polished musical and dramatic acts to the most hilarious comedy and alternative material.
Music Trips:
School-organised trip to Cork Pops Orchestra concert in City Hall, Cork.
Encourage students to avail of Cork Opera House’s Co-Operate program whereby students must organise their own attendance at music events in the Cork Opera House.
Weekend trip to London to view some of the sights around the city and hopefully get in a match on the Saturday
But why study music?
1. Playing A Musical Instrument Makes You Smarter
Scientists say that children who are exposed to music do better in school than those who don't. Recent research suggests exposure to music may benefit a child's reading age, IQ and the development of certain parts of the brain. Adults can benefit from learning to play an instrument too because it helps the mind to be alert and remain active eventually helping to sharpen the memory.
2. It Teaches Discipline
Learning to play an instrument is like learning to speak another language and it can be challenging at times. One of the qualities musicians possess is discipline. You have to be disciplined in order to master playing your instrument. You have to set time each day to practice, practice and practice some more.
3. Playing A Musical Instrument Relieves Stress
We all have days when we are so stressed out and we just want to take a break from it all. Have you ever noticed that when you hear soft, soothing music you feel more relaxed? Playing an instrument can do that and more, especially if you're the one playing. Music is one of life's simple joys; it helps calm the mind.
4. Sense of Achievement
If you're a beginner learning to play your first piece, it can be frustrating. But once you've mastered it, the satisfaction you'll feel is priceless. Never mind if it's just a simple piece, believe me you'll never forget the first piece you've mastered. You are one more step closer to achieving your goal and that is certainly something to be proud of.
5. Playing A Musical Instrument is Fun
Sure it can be a lot of hard work but there is no denying playing an instrument is fun. Once you get better at it, opportunities will arise for you to share your newly learned skill with your family and friends. Who knows, you may also consider playing professionally in the future. Playing a musical instrument opens up a lot of good possibilities that will surely enrich your life.
What careers are there in the Music Industry?
Most people believe that there are only two options: performing or teaching. Here is a longer list of options that should be considered:
-
Music Performance (symphony orchestras, operas, jazz, rock, pop, etc.)
-
Music Education (teaching in schools, teaching privately)
-
Music Therapy (using music as an aid to healing)
-
Music Administration (managing symphonies, music societies, rock stars, etc)
-
Composition (classical, rock, country, film music, advertising, etc.)
-
Music Software Development
-
Electronic Musical Instrument Engineering
-
Recording Engineering
-
Record Production
-
Retail Music (selling music, instruments, and accessories)
-
Film Music Orchestration and Editing
-
Music Publishing
From the Teacher:
Should you decide to study music at CBS, you will open the door to a very enriching educational experience, the benefits of which will stand to you long after you have left our four walls. If you need more assistance in making that decision, please come talk to me at the school.
Fintan Finn
Music in Midleton CBS
Teacher: Mr. Fintan Finn BA, BMUS, HDE, ALCM
Subject Aims:
- To prepare students to sit the Junior and Leaving Cert Music Examinations.
- To help develop the students’ musical interests both inside and outside the school setting.
Subject Objectives:
Listening Skills: To help the students to develop their listening skills and the ability to use appropriate descriptive terminology in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Composing Skills: To help the students to develop their rhythmic, melodic and harmonic composing skills in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Performing Skills: To help the students to develop their performing skills as solo and group players in line with the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Syllabi.
Teaching & Learning Methodologies
- Negotiated Learning
- Formal input by teacher
- Practical work
- Group work
- Project work
- Classroom discussion
- Student’s own research
- Cross-curricular cooperation.
- Demonstrations
- Use of CDs
Course Content:
Listening:
Songs: Songs’ backgrounds, relevant musical features and contexts within their musical genres and place in history. We cover eight song-categories as set out by the Department of Education and Science.
- Irish Folk Songs
- Folk Songs from Other Countries
- Art Songs
- Historical and Modern Ballads
- Popular Songs
- Religious Songs
- Songs from Stage
- Polyphonic Songs
Works: Works’ backgrounds, relevant musical features and contexts within their musical genres and place in history. We cover…
Irish Music: Introduction to Irish music; the songs, dance tunes, instruments, history and contemporary issues.
Dictation: To help the students to gain an understanding of musical notation. To teach them to aurally identify basic rhythms and diatonic pitch and to notate what they hear.
General Study: Introduction to jazz and its historical and social context. Students should be able to write knowledgeably about the musical features of jazz and give examples of where these musical features may be heard in music they have studied as well as in the wider community.
Composing:
- To prepare the students to undertake the triad, melodic and chord composition questions in the Junior and Leaving Certificate Examinations.
- To encourage students to compose idiomatically in imitation of styles they meet while studying for their listening exam.
Performing:
- To help prepare students to present themselves for the Junior and Leaving Certificate Music Practical Examinations on the tin whistle and/or other instrument(s) of choice.
- To teach students to clap back and then play back short rhythmic and melodic motifs on the tin whistle having first heard them repeated a number of times.
- To encourage students to perform their own compositions.
Music Club:
Music club takes place every Thursday lunch time and is open to all students who either play instruments or would like to simply observe other students in action. Here, the students are allowed to jam in whatever manner they like and make music fun for their own enjoyment.
Talent Show:
Every year, on the day of the Christmas holidays, we have a talent show. All students in the school community are invited to put forward acts for this display. And every year, the students succeed in coming up with everything from the most polished musical and dramatic acts to the most hilarious comedy and alternative material.
Music Trips:
School-organised trip to Cork Pops Orchestra concert in City Hall, Cork.
Encourage students to avail of Cork Opera House’s Co-Operate program whereby students must organise their own attendance at music events in the Cork Opera House.
Weekend trip to London to view some of the sights around the city and hopefully get in a match on the Saturday
But why study music?
1. Playing A Musical Instrument Makes You Smarter
Scientists say that children who are exposed to music do better in school than those who don't. Recent research suggests exposure to music may benefit a child's reading age, IQ and the development of certain parts of the brain. Adults can benefit from learning to play an instrument too because it helps the mind to be alert and remain active eventually helping to sharpen the memory.
2. It Teaches Discipline
Learning to play an instrument is like learning to speak another language and it can be challenging at times. One of the qualities musicians possess is discipline. You have to be disciplined in order to master playing your instrument. You have to set time each day to practice, practice and practice some more.
3. Playing A Musical Instrument Relieves Stress
We all have days when we are so stressed out and we just want to take a break from it all. Have you ever noticed that when you hear soft, soothing music you feel more relaxed? Playing an instrument can do that and more, especially if you're the one playing. Music is one of life's simple joys; it helps calm the mind.
4. Sense of Achievement
If you're a beginner learning to play your first piece, it can be frustrating. But once you've mastered it, the satisfaction you'll feel is priceless. Never mind if it's just a simple piece, believe me you'll never forget the first piece you've mastered. You are one more step closer to achieving your goal and that is certainly something to be proud of.
5. Playing A Musical Instrument is Fun
Sure it can be a lot of hard work but there is no denying playing an instrument is fun. Once you get better at it, opportunities will arise for you to share your newly learned skill with your family and friends. Who knows, you may also consider playing professionally in the future. Playing a musical instrument opens up a lot of good possibilities that will surely enrich your life.
What careers are there in the Music Industry?
Most people believe that there are only two options: performing or teaching. Here is a longer list of options that should be considered:
- Music Performance (symphony orchestras, operas, jazz, rock, pop, etc.)
- Music Education (teaching in schools, teaching privately)
- Music Therapy (using music as an aid to healing)
- Music Administration (managing symphonies, music societies, rock stars, etc)
- Composition (classical, rock, country, film music, advertising, etc.)
- Music Software Development
-
Electronic Musical Instrument Engineering
- Recording Engineering
- Record Production
- Retail Music (selling music, instruments, and accessories)
- Film Music Orchestration and Editing
- Music Publishing
From the Teacher:
Should you decide to study music at CBS, you will open the door to a very enriching educational experience, the benefits of which will stand to you long after you have left our four walls. If you need more assistance in making that decision, please come talk to me at the school.
Fintan Finn