Swinging Strings: The 'Nash' Ensembles On the Ground at Shannon

Welcome To the Swinging Strings Blog

The Swinging Strings Project would like to welcome pupils, parents and all interested parties to our website. This blog tracks the progress of 80+ children (and their teachers!) as they learn the violin. It is intended to act as a resource for the pupils as they progress and act as an information point for parents, teachers etc.

The project is delivered on an inclusive basis and links to the Irish Primary Music Curriculum. This means that ALL students particpate irrespective of musical backgrounds. It is believed that it is the one of biggest inclusive projects of its kind in the country. Have a look around and learn all about our violin project. Our cover photo was taken by award winning press photographer, John Kelly.
Comments are welcomed

Thank you

Cathy Desmond

Friday, March 22, 2013

The 'Nash' Ensembles On the Ground at Shannon

Pic courtesy Shannon_Airport via twitter

Mr Corry's Group

The weather outside was frightful but inside was quite delightful as for a third year in a row , the 80 plus 4th class participants in the Swinging Strings programme headed to the wide expanses of the departure lounge of Shannon Airport for a performance extravaganza . This year it was an exclusively Nash Event we joined the choir under Ms Carrigg and the band under Ms de Buitleir for a variety show of song , dance and instrumental items making a combined corps of 160 students, guests and teachers

Our special guests were tenor, Mr Tony Murray and star of the stage Mr Ken O Shaughnessy who narrated our special retelling of the Three Little Pigs complete with startling sound effects on strings by Ms McMahon's 4th class. MrWalsh's group doubled up on percussion to give an extra oomph to Mr Corry's class rendition of our string samba.

Narrator Mr O Shaughnessy with Ms McMahon's 4th Class

Mr Walsh

Students loved these cool fridge magnets

Two Tenors

After the show, there was a fab lunch for everyone upstairs at the Limestone Café and going home a goody bag for everyone. We sang all the way there and back . Thanks to Dorothy Quinn and all at Shannon Airport for their warm welcome and hospitality. We had a wonderful and memorable day!

ps This is our third year to return to this wonderful venue as part of our inclusive music endeavour. Every student at ENS from 4th 5th and 6th class has now participated at this event . You can read my reports from the 2012 and 2011 events here by clicking on the dates. You can hear some voices from the day on the audioboos below.

Play On Group

Ms McMahon's Group with Suzie

Mr Walsh's 4th Class

4th Class Mr Wals

BRAVO TUTTI!!

How do you get to Shannon Airport. Practice. Practice Practice !

Swinging Strings Programme

Mr Walsh Scale on D Joanne Martin
Twinkle Twinkle
Foxtrot Peter Martin
Open string riffs Barn Dance Michael Row the Boat Marines' Hymn

Ms McMahon Three Little Pigs Sounde Effects including Blues Peter Martin
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Riffs Mo Gile Mear, Can Can and Waltzing Mathilde Tremelo on Goodbye

Mr Corry Beguine (Peter Martin) with auxiliary percussion from 4th class Mr Walsh
Ireland's Call and Amran na bhFiann
You'll Never Walk Alone Tremelo D