Curriculum

Music

Junior Cycle Music

Music can be chosen as an academic subject for Junior Cycle at Mount Sackville Secondary School.
Students will have the opportunity to develop their relationship with music as well as learn many new
skills along the way which will serve them in life. In line with the new Junior Cycle Specification,
students will have more freedom to explore composition, performance and aural skills with a greater
emphasis on creativity through the use of IT.
Students may already be proficient on an instrument but the course requirements allow for an
interested student to begin studying Music in first year and to develop their skills on an instrument.
The practical examination element of the course has been increased to 30% of the final grade. Mount
Sackville offers a wide range of instrumental teaching within the school day as well as a varied extracurricular programme to enhance the teaching and learning outcomes.

TY Music

As part of Senior Cycle, Music can be chosen as an academic subject. Students have three Music
classes per week where they will get to explore the key elements of listening, performing and
composing-skills which they will continue to develop at Leaving Certificate. To compliment their
busy TY schedule, the year is divided into short modules, some examples of which are musicology,
performance, music technology, composition, ukulele skills and singing for wellbeing.

Senior Cycle Music

Continuing on from Junior Cycle and Transition Year Music, students can choose to study Music as
an academic subject. The three elements of the course are listening, performing and composing and
students can elect to specialise in one these areas. Typically students in Mount Sackville have a strong
aptitude for performance so would assign 50% of the overall examination towards this element. As
part of the practical element, students can further develop their skills in IT through the use of notation
software such as Sibelius.

Choirs

Choral singing has been at the heart of Mount Sackville for many years. As part of our wellbeing
programme, all students in the school are timetabled for one class of singing per week. Choral singing
is known to have a positive impact on students’ mental and physical health and wellbeing. Students
can opt to join the Junior and Senior Choirs in addition to their timetabled class.
Junior Choir
The Mount Sackville Secondary School Junior Choir was formed in September 2013, and is open to
the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. The choir consists of about 60 girls, who rehearse on Wednesday
afternoons under the direction of Ms Mulvey and Mr Ryan. They are twice-winners of the ESB Feis
Ceoil “Corn Uí Chuinneagáin”, and in 2017 they were also placed 2nd in the Youth Choir 2-part
category. They have regularly been selected for broadcast on the Lyric FM “Choirs for Christmas”
competition, and sing at the school concerts and liturgical events, including the annual Carol Service
in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin.

Senior Choir

Mount Sackville Secondary School Senior Choir is a 3-part choir made up of around 40 transition,
fifth and sixth year students. The members of the choir are very dedicated and rehearse 3 lunchtimes
per week.
The choir performs in at least two major concerts during the school year and also sings for school
masses and services including their annual Christmas Carol service in St Patrick’s Cathedral. In 2017,
the choir took part in a huge fundraising concert in Mount Argus for Trócaire which featured many
eminent Irish musicians. At the end of the school year, the choir performs in the annual ‘Evening in
May’ concert where they get to showcase much of the extensive repertoire learned during the year.
The choir have sung over the years in a number of festivals and have been prize winners in Feis Ceoil,
the Cork Choral Festival, the All Island Choir Competition and the Navan Choral Festival. In 2018,
the choir won the Folens Publishers Award at Feis Ceoil which is the prize for the best overall
secondary school choir.

TY Musical

In Transition year students have the opportunity to take part in the annual school musical. The musical
takes place during the second week of November for 3 nights(typically sold out!)and to prepare for
this, auditions are held at the end of third year. Students get the chance to explore their singing, acting
and dancing talents. Productions are enhanced with a professional live band, lighting and sound.
Recent productions include Billy Elliot, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, Guys and
Dolls, Oliver, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Calamity Jane, Annie and My Fair Lady.
Students may also get involved in the production aspect of the musical which include ticket sales,
marketing, design, technological and backstage support.

Instrumental teaching

Individual instrumental tuition is offered at competitive rates to all students in piano, violin/viola and
voice. Harp, flute, guitar and any other instrument can be catered for subject to demand. Written
theory tuition is offered to students taking instrumental tuition. Teachers are highly qualified and
experienced.
Students may be prepared for examinations in their instrument to cover the practical aspects of Junior
Certificate (25% increasing to 30% of mark) and Leaving Certificate (50% of mark) Musicianship.
Students may also prepare for instrumental examinations and written theory examinations with the
Royal Irish Academy of Music. Mount Sackville Secondary School often hosts an examining centre
for the RIAM summer practical session. Examinations for other recognised colleges may be prepared
for as required.
Students may also be prepared for competitions and school recitals. Orchestral instrumentalists are
invited to join the School Orchestra. Students of voice are invited to join School Choirs.

The Orchestra

The school orchestra meets every Tuesday from 1:00-1:30pm in the Music room near reception. It is
open to all years and is a great way to get to know students from other years as well as a chance to
learn a wide range of music. All instruments are welcome and there is no audition process. Music can
be altered to suit the individual needs of each member.