DONAGH students have lots of chances to shine in the music program at our school! Much of their program centers around concerts and celebrations. For example, we have  Fall and Christmas concerts, Remembrance Day services, and a Spring Mini-Concert. Grades 1-2 curriculum consists of an introduction to singing, rhythms, instrumentals (stage A and B), and ear training. Grades 3-4 are introduced to note reading, more advanced singing, rhythms, instrumentals (recorder), and ear training. Grades 5, 6 continue with singing, note reading, rhythms, and a percussion ensemble.

 3 Choirs: Grades 1-3 receive an introduction to choir techniques. The Grade 4-6 choir learn more advanced choral techniques. They were one of the schools chosen to participate in the "Holiday Wishes" CD, 2002, a fund raiser for the Children's Wish Foundation, Prince Edward Island Chapter. The Grade 7-9 choir study choral music and the proper singing/breathing /choral techniques. They provided the music for the Remembrance Day Service.                       

 
Grade 4-6 choir at Christmas 

In 2002,  a fiddle program was approved by the Department of Education for grades 7-9. 12 students have been reeling their way through this new program under the direction of music teacher, Ronita Baird.

The school's parents fundraising committee is working hard to raise the $30,000 needed to offer this program. One of the fund raisers is a raffle draw for an all expense paid trip to Ireland.

The students performed at the Delta Prince Edward after only five weeks of  fiddle experience and "blew the 600 seniors out of the water", according to Tyler Shanahan, grade 9 fiddler.  They also performed for visiting author Budge Wilson, who said it was the nicest thing ever happened to her on a school visit. She has written the prize winning book, A Fiddle for Angus, a favourite at our school.

Students are also exposed to Celtic music of the area, such as the Caledonia Fiddlers, the Queens County Fiddlers Society, and local parent Vince Keoughan.

By the end of three years, beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes will be offered to an estimated 40-plus students. Other upcoming music outlets planned are the tin penny whistle, and bodran, an Irish drum.

An excellent article and pictures on the Fiddle program was featured in The Guardian, by Mary MacKay," In Tune with the Past", March 15, 2003.
               

2004-2005 Music Program

In 2004, a number of  grade 5 and grade 6  students were added to the fiddle program.   They had a busy fall participating in the following  activities:
-Kid's Count breakfast at Queen Charlotte Jr. High
-Lions annual ham and turkey take-put dinner
-Playing at the Confederation Center with fiddler Cynthia MacLeod  for The Children's Wish Foundation  
-Delta Prince Edward Annual Senior's Christmas dinner
-MacMillan Lodge Performance
-School Christmas Concert

The Grade 2-4 choir also participated in the Children's Wish Foundation Christmas CD. They sang "Here we come A Caroling".

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