Music is an outstanding feature of life at the School and the Music Department has experts in a wide range of musical instruments and music types as well as singing coaches for vocalists.
In addition to improving their own musical abilities, pupils are encouraged to play in the Orchestra, Jazz Band and other impromptu bands. Participation in feiseanna and concerts is a feature for musicians and singers who also undertake the various examinations for the Royal Irish School of Music gradings.
The Choir is central to the musical aspects of the School and performs at Chapel Services and annual events such as Charter Day, Confirmation, Harvest Festival and Carol Service. A School Musical is held every second year (alternating with a School Play) and the standards of performance are exceptionally high, as is the attention to detail on staging, costumes, lighting and sound.
The School Talent Show, with pupils demonstrating a wide variety of musical and dramatic skills, is one of the highlights each year.
Music Department Helen Roycroft, BA (Mod) (TCD), DipPRII, Choirmistress, Co-ordinator Miram Wright, BMus, HDipEd (NUI) Graham Walsh, BMus (Hons) (NUI), LTCL Anthony Lee, LTCL David Hardy, BA (NUI) Lisa Cunningham, MMusPerf (DCU/RIAM), BMusEd (TCD), GRIAM, GradDipMusPerf Joyce Byrne, MA (NUI), BMus (TCD) Jonathan Healy, MA, BA (Hons) (NUI), LLCM Christine Meehan, B.A.Hons(QUB),M.A.Hons (UL) Philip Graydon, PhD(QUB) Dave Mullen
THE CHAPEL SINGERS Over the summer of 2009, the KH Parents' Association made a very generous contribution to the music department, setting up some excellent recording equipment and microphones so that our recording studio could finally come into use. With the expert guidance of Richard Symes, Paul Rolston and Graham Walsh, the equipment was up and running by the time the new school year started. Two weeks into September, we made our first official recording in the school studio! The Chapel Singers, directed by Helen Roycroft and accompanied by Graham Walsh, recorded two tracks onto CD. These were 'Gloria Festiva' by Emily Crocker, and 'Prayer' from 'Hansel and Gretel' by Engelbert Humperdinck. The recording was then entered into Co-operation Ireland's Schools Choirs' competition, an all-Ireland, cross-border initiative. There were many choirs entered into this first stage of the choral competition, and the KH Chapel Singers got the phone-call to say they were through to the regional heats! This exciting choral night took place on Friday 16th October 2009 in Holy Child, Sallynoggin, and the rehearsals for this event were filmed by RTE in each school over the next two weeks. The RTE programme was broadcast on Sunday 25th October. The King's Hospital succeeded in winning that heat and went on to the final in the Ulster Hall in Belfast on Sunday 15th November. The choir performed two pieces, but Methodist College Belfast emerged as the winners. The final was also broadcast live on RTE television. Congratulations to all who were involved .... !
The School Choir also qualified for the Regional Finals of the 'All-Ireland Schools Choir Competition' in both 2010 and 2011.
The School Choir performing at the Law Service at St Michan's in October 2011
Relaxing !
The King's Hospital, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, Ireland
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