Music

Music plays an important part in all our lives and in the world we live in.

If you choose to study Music at Clonturk Community College you will learn the following skills:

  • Participating and Music-making: You will learn how to perform music by playing instruments or singing with your classmates.
  • Creating and exploring: You will learn to express your creativity through learning to compose your own music. You will explore many different styles of music including pop, rock, jazz, classical and traditional Irish music.
  • Appraising and responding: You will learn how to express your opinions about the various elements of music so that you can develop your own style and taste in relation to music. You will learn how music works so that you will be able to understand and describe different styles of music just by listening.

All students are welcome to take up Music from first year.

Students do not need to know how to play an instrument already.

Clonturk Community College Music Department has an excellent collection of instruments and music technology equipment.

Is Music anything like what I did in primary school?

In primary school you learned to sing songs at various stages. You also may have been in the school choir, musical group or orchestra. You may have been involved in a school production or simply enjoy listening to lots of different types of music. Junior Cycle Music will help you to become even better at performing and broaden your knowledge about music in general.

Will Music have anything to do with other subjects I will be studying?

You may learn songs in the modern languages you study. Also, you may use music in learning dance during Irish class and Physical Education. In English, you will study the importance of music in films and in advertisements. In Science, you will learn about sound which will help you better understand acoustics in Music. Technology will help you learn more about Music Technology.

How will Music be useful to me?

Music is a very important part of everyone’s life all around the world. Most of us will take pleasure in listening to music and many will enjoy singing or playing an instrument throughout their lives. Some people decide to take up a career in music in areas such as Education, Business (Sound Engineer, Lyricist, Reviewer or Therapist) and Performance (Composer, Performer, Conductor).

How is Music assessed at Junior Cycle?

At the end of third year students will sit a practical exam (30%) where they perform three songs and a written exam (70%).

A Note from our Music Teachers:

The music course is not entirely about classical music, but covers all types of music, including traditional music, film music, musicals, etc.

Course Content
The course has three main sections:
• Composing Skills – music notes, and scales, time & key, signatures, rhythm and melody writing, backing chords, etc. are studied. You will learn about triads, chords and how to use them. You’ll learn to compose short melodies.
• Performing Skills – this makes up 25% of the Junior Cert. Music exam. Students will prepare a programme on one or two instruments. Students can play an instrument or sing for this practical exam. You can perform solo or in a group.
• Listening Skills – All styles of music are covered, including orchestral works, film music, musicals, songs, and traditional music. Students study a selection of set songs, choice songs, set works and choice works. Various aspects of these are examined including style, type of work, instruments played, mood, etc. You will learn to describe what you hear and learn to dictate a short melody

The exam consists of a written and listening exam lasting 2 hours and also a practical performance of voice or instrument.


Who would this subject suit?
It is not necessary for a student to be able to play an instrument to successfully complete the course, but it does require the student to have an aptitude for and interest in music. Being able to sing can be substituted for a musical instrument.
Type of Homework/Projects/Assignments
Harmony exercises and other written exercises can be given as well as listening homework.

Career Note

Music at Leaving Certificate Higher Level is essential for some, but not all music degrees. Music would be a useful (but not essential) subject for students thinking of careers in media, multimedia, film, radio and television, dance, and generally in the entertainment, sports and leisure industries.