History of Music in CCC

Starsearch '07

Music is broadly recognised as a valued social and cultural art form. Music forms an integral part of the formal and informal curriculum in Castleknock Community College. Each student is given the opportunity to study Music as an academic subject if they so wish or to take part in our many extra-curricular activities.

The general aim of the Music Department is to contribute towards all aspects of the individual student but specifically to enable all students to acquire musical skills suited to their age, varying abilities and musical experiences. The syllabus for Junior and Leaving Certificate Music is divided into three component parts: performing, composing and listening skills.

Our extra-curricular activities are wide ranging, suiting every musical interest from Traditional Irish Music and Classical Music right through to Pop and Rock Music. These activities encourage musical creativity and promote social awareness. Students can get involved in the Choir, Traditional group, Orchestra and participate in the school talent competition, 'Starsearch' workshops, the Co. Dublin V.E.C 'Festival of Music' as well as attend concerts during the year.

Therefore, there are many activities here in Castleknock Community College to suit every talent and ability. We encourage each and every student to get involved in making music.

Music is a worthwhile accomplishment for its own sake. It is an education for life.

The Music Department has had another successful year. Musical activities feature hugely each year in the programme of extra-curricular activities with students being offered a wide range of opportunities - choir, traditional group, solo and group performance etc. Students perform on many occasions throughout the academic year, e.g. Carol Services, Graduation Ceremonies and Inter-faith Ceremony. Students have represented the College with great success. Last April, we held a concert in the Draiocht Theatre, Blanchardstown to celebrate the College's tenth anniversary. Both present and past pupils performed and treated the audience to a wide and varied programme of popular, classical and traditional music and dance. This concert showcased our students' talents and also raised funds for a very worthy local cause, namely the Dublin 15 Hospice.

Recently students participated in the CO. Dublin VEC Festival of Music, which takes place annually in the National Concert Hall. The students performed as part of a massed choir from all schools and colleges in Co. Dublin VEC as well as solo and group performances. Maria Stacey, Deirdre McGuane, Ian Plunkett, Des Ward and Philip O'Callaghan gave very confident performances on the night and were great ambassadors for the College.

The staging of this event was made possible due to the support and dedication of school management and staff. It was my privilege to organise an event, which recognised the musical talent that has emerged and developed successfully over the course of the school's ten-year history. The concerts were a fitting tribute to the talents of our students both past and present and as director, I was privileged to be part of the process, which led to such a wonderful entertainment. This musical extravaganza had a dual purpose,; firstly to bring forward talent, while successfully raising funds for a very worthy cause, namely, the "Dublin 15 Hospice".

One can only hope that the musical experience and success of the last ten years will go from strength to strength.

Life in Castleknock Community College just wouldn't be complete without 'Starsearch', our annual talent competition. Now in it's 8th year and traditionally organised by Transition Year students, it has truly become a highlight in the life of the College and is always a memorable occasion for everyone who comes to see it.

Starsearch 2007 was a fantastic success at the end of January and with so many students auditioning, it was difficult to narrow down the final line-up to just 16 acts.

Well done to this year's hardworking TY production team, some of whom also made a very impressive backdrop for the stage. Congratulations to Des Ward & Ian Plunkett (6th Year) who were overall winners of Starsearch 2007.