PUPILS FROM one of Limerick city's regeneration areas made music yesterday with the Irish Chamber Orchestra.
Over the past 10 weeks, the orchestra, which is based at the University of Limerick, has been working with children from Galvone National School exploring gospel, R'n'B and pop music. The project is part of a joint initiative by the orchestra and Limerick Regeneration and it is hoped to export it to other regeneration areas with a view to it becoming a national model.
Some 35 children from fourth, fifth and sixth classes at Galvone wrote songs inspired by sports and Christmas themes which were arranged for performance by the orchestra members who then performed with the students at a concert at the school yesterday.
"It's been a fantastic experience for all the students and one thing that we have noticed is that exposure to music like this has really helped the children to express themselves. It's also helped school attendance and we've noticed that on the days they've had music classes they all love coming to school," said school principal Maureen Clune.
Orchestra CEO John Kelly said: "We are facilitating the development of these children and this project should happen in schools across the country."
Levi Moran (9), from O'Malley Park, Southill, and in fourth class at Galvone, said: "I love singing and sometimes I sing to myself. It's been great fun writing our own songs and I love watching the orchestra play." Ashleigh O'Donoghue (9), from Kennedy Park, and also in fourth class, said: "We were in UL before and we got to see the orchestra from far away but it's been great to see them all up close and I would love to learn the violin."