St. Mary’s Junior School Music Ensembles
2024-2025
St. Mary’s College Junior School is committed providing a music programme for our students that embeds music education in our school’s culture, curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
In the words of Plato, ‘Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.’
St. Mary’s Junior School Choir
Rehearsals will take place every Thursday from 8:50am-9:40am in The Hub. Ms. Walsh will lead the choir with the assistance of Ms. Thompson. Our School Choir engages in public performances such as the Wesley College Dublin-Interschools Musical Festival, the Dublin Feis Ceoil and important school celebrations including Confirmation and Communion which take place throughout the school year.
There is a varied repertoire of unison to three-part songs by classical composers, folksong from around the world, musicals, popular and religious settings. Opportunities for singing both solo and duet in public performances are provided regularly with additional workshops on musical engagement and vocal technique.
The emphasis is on fun and it is our hope that each singer develops a lifelong love for choral singing.
Eligibility
Entry is by audition. The Choir is open to boys from Form 2 all the way up to Form 6. Students from Form 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 will audition on the Wed, 11th of September.
Places are limited to 50 students who will continue in this choir for the year.
Audition requirements
The audition takes approximately 2 minutes and is done in small groups. The boys will be asked to sing one verse and chorus of 'Riptide' by Vance Joy.
A range test will be taken at the audition with Ms. Walsh and Ms. Thompson.
Attending rehearsals
Rehearsals are held during school time every Thursday from 8.50am to 9.40am in the Hub.
Rehearsals start term 1, week 3.
Student Expectations
- arrive to rehearsals and be ready to sing 5 minutes before start time
- learn the music (learning resources will be sent home)
- notify Ms. Walsh (marywalshmusic@stmarys.ie) if they can't attend a rehearsal.
- participate in all programmed performances, competitions and events
- attend rehearsals and learn music for performances
- engage positively with the St. Mary’s choir and music team
St. Mary’s In-Class Choirs
Each year group from Form 1 - Form 6 will have their own individual class choir. They will perform at monthly assemblies and at school ceremonies.
These choirs will take place during their allocated music class with Ms. Walsh.
This is a non-audition choir that explores key themes in wellbeing through singing. Group singing is a life-enriching activity that can last a lifetime.
As Martin Luther said “As long as we live there is never enough singing”.
In February, we will host our first school choir competition where all in-class choirs will compete for:
- Choir of the Year Award
- Best Song Award
- Best Conductor Award
St. Mary's ‘Hub Sessions’ at Lunchtime
These Hub Sessions are designed to showcase the musical talents from all classes across the Junior School. There will be a sign-up sheet at the beginning of the year and individuals will perform one piece (sing or play) in a small lunchtime performance for one another.
Every two months 10 performers will be chosen to perform.
For our annual Christmas concert, students who showcase a high standard of performance and musicality will be asked to perform as a soloist alongside the St. Mary’s Choir and St. Mary’s String Ensemble.
St. Mary's Singers
St Mary’s College Singers is a mixed-voice choir, made up of four sections: Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. Our repertoire is wide and varied, with plenty to suit all tastes. Currently, we have over 50 members, all associated with St. Mary's College in some way ..,past pupils, parents, siblings and relatives of current or past pupils.
Our talented Choir Director, Maria Stanley, guides us in performing both secular and spiritual choral music. We've had the opportunity to showcase our talents in concerts both locally and internationally, with performances in Italy, UK, Portugal, and
France.
We regularly participate in official college ceremonies, choral competitions (we've been lucky enough to have won a few!), Christmas Carol events and Music Festivals. We've also had the privilege of singing at wedding and funeral ceremonies within our
extended choir family. We've sung in theatres, restaurants, pubs (a lot!), TV studios, shopping centres, airports, open-air events, on stages and under stages.
Our calendar runs from September to June each year, and we meet every Wednesday evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm to sing, work, and enjoy each other's company.
The choir brings together people who are interested in choral singing. We strive to develop and strengthen that passion, through hard work and good humour. We believe that the social life of the ensemble is meaningful and act accordingly! We always make sure to have a good time and appreciate the experience. It's important for us to live in the moment and savour and enjoy every part of our activities.
Maria Stanley (Choral Director)
Email : marialstanley@eircom.net
