The first fruits of the inspirational Sing Out with Strings project were unveiled at a special concert at the Church of the Holy Family, Southill on Thursday 10  December. The children of three schools performed their own compositions, accompanied by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, for family, friends and community.

Sing Out Galvone was introduced to Galvone National School, Kennedy Park, Limerick to great success by the Irish Chamber Orchestra.  The project, initially funded by the University of Limerick’s Higher Education Authority (the Shannon Consortium - Strategic Innovation in Education) & Limerick Regeneration, encouraged children to use their voices and discover how they personally connected with music.  The pupils explored many genres of music through dynamics, rhythm, emotion, story-telling and creativity over a year and the fruits of their labour were reflected in the eight songs composed which were arranged for string orchestra and performed by the school, accompanied by the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Sing Out With Strings is the second phase of this exciting and innovative ICO project which sees the introduction of instruments to the children’s music-making.  A generous donation, by renowned local business man JP McManus enabled Galvone School to purchase a bank of its own violins and set up an instrument library which all students will soon be able to access.  Such is the enthusiasm for this project, that  22 members of staff, including one school board member and the school caretaker are currently attending morning music boot camp with ICO violinist Lisa Grosman, taking early lessons (8am) three times a week before class.  These 22 budding violinists performed alongside the Irish Chamber Orchestra and pupils from 6th class who are already being put through their paces on violin.

Limerick Regeneration funding has allowed the ICO to expand the project to include two additional regeneration schools, Southill Junior School and St Mary’s Boys School this year.   A second facilitator, Tony Hunter, has been employed to work with ICO educationalist, Kathleen Turner and now 170 children are busily preparing for a new and challenging choral and instrumental public performance with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.