Simply Music/National Concert Hall/Dept. of Education & Science: Teacher Training Workshops 2009

This August 2009 Simply Music/The National Concert Hall ran another year of successful In-Service Teacher Training Courses, approved by The Dept. of Education & Science.

Simply Music has just completed two very succesful weeks of Simply Music Interactive Technology Music Workshops in The National Concert Hall. These 5 Day “In Service Teacher Training Workshops” (in it’s third year) are approved by the Department of Education & Science and were attended by over 30 very enthusiastic teachers and musicians from Clare, Donegal and Dublin, to name but a few counties.

What teachers have said about Simply Music In-Service courses:

(Dept. of Education & Science / National Concert Hall In-Service Teacher Training 2009):

“Blending the strands of the music curriculum and the use of I.C.T. is a wonderful educational tool. Thank you for all your hard work, your dedication and sense of fun.” Sr Anastatia Hennessy, Learning Support Junior Infants, St. Agnes’ Primary School, Crumlin, Dublin 12.

“The Quality and Standard (of these workshops) are excellent.

…” Paul and Sile are both very friendly and welcome and open to answering concerns. They put people at ease and their level of competence, professionalism and passion is obvious.” Kathleen O'Meara, North Bay E.T.N.S. Greendale Avenue, Kilbarrick, Dublin 5, 2nd ClassTeacher

“It was without doubt the most useful & enjoyable teachers course I have done. I will be advising all and sundry to head over to the NCH next year.” Dermot Stanley, Adamstown Castle Educate Together, 4,5,6th Class

“How wonderful it would be to get this out there to every school! And more courses for teachers available!” Mary Nohilly, S.E.K. School (Spanish), Belvedere Hall, Upper Windgates, Bray, Co. Dublin Music Class

“It increased my confidence in teaching music.

“The ICT integration was wonderful (recording, mixing,editing etc.)” Jemma McKevitt, Scoil Bhride, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare, Junior Infants

“ As a techno-phobe/cynic, I am astonished at how much you can get out of this interactive classroom support tool.” Bridget O'Connor, Private Teacher, All Ages

“I loved the demonstration of how to hold the percussion instruments on the computer. I have a percussion class after school and I can use this information in and out of class.”

“Superb. Both facilitators have one foot in the classical world - and one in the improvised/jamming world! An impressive combination!” Suzanne Marner, Louth Village Primary School, 2nd & 3^rd

“Great knowledge & understanding of area of focus - great communication & interaction with the group. A lot of focus with performance & playing as a group - with excellent direction - great to see in practice, can take on board similar ways to approach these elements.”

“Huge range of instruments to becoming familiar with. Interesting to compare quality of course content to UK based courses, great content - enough to be able to remember & take on board.” Becki Gurney, Rushcombe First School, Corfee Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset, UK, Year 1 / 5-6 year olds

“This programme was of a consistently high standard, while never being beyond the participants. It did push me to step outside my comfort zone, which I now appreciate!!” Marianne Dunne, St. Laurence O'Toole N.S. Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, 1st class

(Dept. of Education & Science / National Concert Hall In-Service Teacher Training 2007/2008):

“The course had great content, both music and I.T. ……..
Excellent hands-on practice, all relevant to the music curriculum - excellently presented and delivered, accommodating the mix of ability/experience in the group - AND it was FUN!”

“ The expertise of Paul & Sile was shared in a pleasant, non-intimidating way & they always listened to your needs & adapted to our abilities/weaknesses.”

“ … The practical music making was fun & confidence building which will encourage & facilitate my teaching.”

“…Seeing the possibility & usefulness of the I.T. element - can see that it could be like a teaching assistant when teaching music AND integrates with I.T. policy.”

“Very accessible - a real feeling of "I can do it"! Hands on with instruments - BRILLIANT. Seeing how I.T. can integrate with music - excellent - (time-keeping, sequence, reminder).”

“Particularly good for non-musician teachers (and there are a lot of us) so if we become more confident & teach more music there will be more musically literate/appreciative children etc. Paul & Sile - thank you very much for this week - one of the best courses I've done in my (long!) teaching career.”

Mary Finnegan, (Teacher) St. Vincent de Paul Infant School, Griffith Ave, D.9
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“It is difficult to pick any one single element as all the elements worked so well together. Simple elements combined and layered can produce a complex sound.”

“This was by far the best summer course I have attended. I would do it even if the D.E.S. weren't allowing extra personal vacation days for attending!!!”

Michael Shanley, (Principal), St. Patrick's SNS Corduff, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
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“Excellent Programme - very useful for the classroom & good fun. We learned so much in such an enjoyable way.”

“The software is brilliant & gave great cohesion when playing together. Great to get a 'go' on so many instruments & loved the interactivity between voice & instruments & software.”

“A 'must' for every primary school teacher!”

Elizabeth O'Brien, (Deputy Principal), St. Brigid's N.S., The Coombe, Dublin 8