A copy of this letter was emailed to all parents/guardians who have provided the school with a valid email address. If you have not received this letter by email, please send an email to adminsnr@presentationmullingar.ie with your child’s name and class along with your own name and email address.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Presentation Senior has decided to become involved in a very exciting new initiative called  Comhaltas Schools Outreach (CSO).  This initiative promotes the teaching of traditional Irish music in primary schools throughout the country.  Its aim is to develop children’s understanding and knowledge of traditional Irish music through the learning of the tin whistle.

The CSO representative and teacher in Westmeath is Mr Enda Seery and we are very fortunate that he is available to come and teach in our school.  He is a highly qualified music teacher as well as being an experienced tin whistle and flute player.  Commencing on November 11th  Mr Seery will come and teach the tin whistle to every class in the school during the school day.

Each pupil will participate in a class-based weekly tin whistle lesson over a ten week period.  The lessons will complement the primary school music curriculum and it is hoped that after a period of time, particularly talented children may be identified and encouraged to progress to play more sophisticated instruments.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are highly subsidising this initiative for schools and as a result the costs of the lessons are very reasonable.  For a course of ten lessons, the total cost per child will be €12 (€1.20 per lesson).  If your child doesn’t have a D tin whistle he /she can buy it from the school at a discounted rate of €4.50.  We would greatly appreciate if we could collect this money before the midterm break (25 October).

Thanking you in advance,

Yours sincerely,

Ms Clare Coleman

Music Coordinator