International Day 2011

Mahfouz in his fabulous costume

 The Blazing Bows Ensemble  had a wonderful perfomance in the hall  with Ms Vaughan ands her Grupa Ceoil on Friday 27th May as part of the school Intercultural Day.  It was a bit of a squeeze getting so many musicians in  but what a great sound. The concert started with solos from Ms Vaughan's after school students  on tin whistle , fiddle and piano.   Here was the joint programme.

French Folk Song    pizz on D
Foxtrot 
Blues  
D Monkey 
Echo Twinkle
Cill FCais  Pizz on G
Mo Gile Mear   Double stopping on G and D
Titanic       tremelo on G     Bows side to side
Halleluia   GG  zz D D zz
Oh When the Saints Go Marching In Down Bow Retakes 

Everyone joined in the last number and everyone sang along .

Everyone in the class received a certificate to say they have completed Level 1 of the Stringschool Programme . Congratulations to all of you.

Ms Power presents my bouquet

International Day

Karen Vaughan talks about her approach to teaching music in Chríost Rí, National School in Ennis, Co Clare

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Term Time resumes

Here is what we did this week.  We are looking ahead to our final performance of this year , the school Intercultural Day on 27th  of May. 

1 We worked on Twinkle as an echo to Ms Vaughan on piano . Ms Vaughan's part is shaded in red and our bit is in plain black ink

D D D D       A  A   A A      B B   B B    A  A 
         0 0                 0  0                 1 1          0
    Dip to show all fingers going down on D  string.

G G G G      F#F#  F#F#     E  E   E E   D     D 
         3  3                 2   2               1 1            0

We also worked on our scale  Darling river monkey     to our cappucino coffee rhythm

To finish we worked on Blues and  Foxtrot

Press piece from Clare Champion 14th April 2011

Scoli Chriost Ri Live at The Plaza for Love Live Music Day

 Bearing fiddles, whistles and accordions and with a willingness to entertain , a  group of 50 musicians set off on foot from Scoil Chriost Ri  Cloughleigh  to play at the outdoor auditorium  of the Temple Gate Plaza   on Friday .   The group included  David McMahon’s  4^th class pupils , the Blazing Bows Ensemble  who were very excited as it was their first time to perform in public and also  their first joint venture with the Scoil Chriost Ri Band. The group have been learning violin as part of their school curriculum since September  as part of a new initiative at the school .

The event was one of several in County Clare marking Love Live Music Day, an initiative by National Music Network, a  celebration of all forms of music in Ireland through free nationwide music events which aims to promote access to live music for all regardless of location or circumstance and to encourage active participation in music events.

 The combined group  played a variety of  repertoire  including traditional Irish tunes, film themes and blues numbers. Mary Fagin  visiting from Co Meath was one of many onlookers who enjoyed the impromptu performance . 'Today was a great day to be in Ennis' she said.  As I stepped out of the Temple Gate  I was serenaded by this wonderful music. I particularly enjoyed the double bass’ she said .    

Ned  a regular busker here said ' They were great' I had serious competition today .  I think it is good that  they get a chance to  learn to play music at school.  Karen Vaughan director of the school band said she was delighted with the performance of her young musicians . ‘They are a very dedicated  and enthusiastic bunch to work with’ and it is encouraging  to see them engaging  with  their local community. 

Fionna Power, principal said she was very proud of her students and the musicians would soon be busy preparing for their next event , the Scoil Chriost Ri Intercultural day at the end of May.  Further information on the Blazing Bows music programme at the school can be found on www.blazingbows.blogspot.com

Return visit of National Concert hall outreach teacher

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Jesse, Dorothy Cathy and Karen



On Tuesday we welcomed Dorothy Conaghan from the National Concert Hall to work with our fourth class ensemble and in the afternoon the group was joined by all the musicians of the school band .

In the morning we worked on 'I like to tango (or amhran is damhsa)   We played a duet  Hoedown  and Pineapple Rag by Scott Joplin  .

After lunch we worked on a French Folk Song . First starting with the tune , then adding bass , then Ms Vaughan on piano . Altogether it sounded great . 

This one

Live at the Plaza Great Gig for Love Live Music Day

Accordions

Banner Bearers with Ms Vaughan

Bandanorama

Busker Ned

'I think it is that way'

Bearing fiddles whistles and accordions , the group set off on foot from Cloughleigh  for the natural arena of the Temple Gate Plaza . The day although a little overcast was warm and dry.   there was a good crowd.  Mary Fagin , visiting from Co Meath and a guest at the hotel complimented the group  . 'Today was a great day to be in Ennis' she said .  Ned  a regular busker here said ' They were great' I had serious competition today. Thanks to our guest Fiona Walsh of Ennis Gospel Choir who joined our fiddle section for the day.

Blazing Bows meets the Band

The SCR Band

Today was a very important day because it was the day Blazing Bows joined forces with Scoil Chríost Rí Band   with their director Karen Vaughan to make a super big band !  We reheased very hard to be ready for our outing to play outdoors at the Temple Gate Plaza  at 11 am as part of  the nationwide Love Live Music Day . Mafouz did a great job on double bass .

see our event posted and check out the other events happening around the country on http://www.lovelivemusic.ie/
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Draft  Busking Programme


1. Oh When the Saints  D D D G   D D D D   ALL DOWN BOWS   all on D except one G  Band +BB
2  Foxtrot     x 3   Don't forget sidestep (2nd time  and  3rd time dip ) you all know this one  BB
3  Blues x4      BB
4 Darling River Monkey  starting on D x 2  Band +BB
5 Twinkle  Echo  Playing in an echo to the band  DD
6 Titanic      D (3) Tremelo   on third finger G  watch me  not all the way through last chorus
7 Cill Cais    pizz on G  open string
8. Mo Gile Mear  Double Stopping on G and D
9 Alleleuiah          G G change D D repeat  GG zzDDzz


Well done everyone today . Remember watch and listen

Cathy's Blog: Getting Ready for LOVELIVEMUSC DAY

Cathy's Blog: Getting Ready for LOVELIVEMUSC DAY: "NEWSFLASH BLAZING BOWS FROM SCOIL CHRIOST RI TO PERFORM LIVE AT TEMPLE GATE PLAZA ENNIS FOR ONE DAY ONLY11.00 FRID..."

Check out all the events happening around the country  on www.lovelivemusic.ie

SCR at Oliver

5th class girls in Oliver cast

Daniel tries out the conductors baton at Oliver

Celebrating St Patrick's Day at Blazing Bows

 Sally Garden  Reel  Today we looked at some Irish dance tunes .Ms Vaughan and I demonstrated a reel on tin whistle and fiddle .

Can you remember how many parts make up most polkas and  reels  Why do dance tunes have strong regular  rhythms ?
                         **********************
We  also worked on our Blues  first finger tune and                         *********************   
We Will Rock You riff

C   B    A    G   AA    We Will Rock You  finger pattern on G string
3    2     1     0    11            REMEMBER 2 AND 3 CLOSE TOGETHER

Dá Téada ag an t-am céanna  - Double Stopping  Everybody learned how to play two strings together at the same time .

The class spent some time during the week looking at  the trad  section on www.exploremusic.ie    

My award for Best Student  went to Katie  today

Tuesday Blues

Today we learned a new song ' Blues '    Well Done .

'Check Out the video tutorial and  how about Ms Vaughan's groovy keyboard riffs !  Cool !

How many open strings are used in Blues ?

Who is the character on my tee shirt supposed to be ?


Niamh  and Christopher, Jake  selected for special mention. 

Oliver  with several pupils from SCR continues all week

Term resumes in Spring Sunshine

 NEWSFLASH  Ennis Musical Society perform OLIVER at GLÓR  from  8th 12th March    Sat Matinee
It was good to start back  after a break of three weeks.   Here is what we did today


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Vivaldi in G  pizz      / Toreadors March warm up

  *NEW TUNE  TWO STRING REGGAE      G z G z   D z D z  G G D D  G z D z  

Wintertime in Russia       bowing work

Athacama Crossing         bowing work   
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**NEW Feature Crossing from one string to the next :
 Starting on D and moving  without  a sound to  A   for Athacama Crossing .

Well done everybody , the rhythm was very sharp . Remember little bows for win-ter-time-in  and longer ones for RUS SIA.

Special Oscars edition :Check out the new video clips featuring stars of the screen

'I loved the reggae beat  '    Mafouz

practice tips  Try scale to wintertime in Russsia on any string    1  1 down 2 down 3 down 3 again lift up 3, lift up 2 lift up1   THE END
Athacama crossing  crossing from  D  to A  to wintertime in rus sia


Extra points   Kevin for excellent violin hold  and Jake  for paying excellent attention. Thanks Mafouz and Katie for helping to pack away

Cathy's Blog: Blazing Bows

Cathy's Blog: Blazing Bows: "We got the 'Blues' We began work on a cool new tune 'Blues ' today . D E D E G G G_ 0 1 0..."

The pupils talk about Blazing Bow's first public performance

I felt nervous about playing in from of the school - Niamh         I felt so relaxed in the hall - Dana.

I felt happy. I enjoyed the bass, I like music - Daniel.        


  I felt very scared at first, I enjoyed ROCK YOU because everyone was singing along - Molly

The pupils' favourite tune



The pupils were asked to hold their fiddles in a funny way!



I enjoyed ROCK YOU - Chloe               I enjoyed the performance - Dillon.                               

      It felt really great -Daniel                

       I felt really scared todayat violin. I enjoyed when the jnr classes started calling my name. I think music is great now after today - Damien.    

                        I felt happy and proud- Katie.

                           I felt excited. I loved the songs. I loved music like before - Emma.



It was wonderful. The songs are good and I had a good day - Jordan

La le Bríde

There was a  definite feeling of Spring this morning and  the   Blazing Bows bounded into the Hall for their weekly lesson. They have been busy preparing their songs for St Brigids Day this  week.

 We took two new steps today.   Today we worked on our new piece , Macchu Piccu Mountain starting on A and climbing all the way to 3 on E . We  did a cool new piece playing on A and E  , Cross Lake Blues. 

We listened to a part of Spring from the Four Seasons by Vivaldi and played pizz on E to the main theme. We learned a new Italian word , Andante. Can you remember what it means?

Composer John Barry

We remembered John  Barry composer of the music for lots of films  including James Bond, Listen to his best known James Bond themes on the clip on this site. What instrument is playing the theme ?   Any guesses ?

http://www.libraryireland.com/LegendaryFictionsIrishCelts/V-13-1.php 
check out this link for a story about Brigid and music from National Library of Ireland

Week 3 Easter Island Monkey

Things were a little more low key after last week's concert trip and workshops with guest teacher .  4th class worked on some of the new ideas introduced last week.  We practiced our new rhythm  Wintertime in Russia .  'It's just like a Haiku '  said  Dylan . Next we put all fingers down in Easter Island Monkey .  Here's the sequence  Open E  //// //   1 down //// //2 down //// // 3 down//// // 3 again //// // Lift up 3//// // Lift up 2//// // Lift up 1 //// //  THE  END  . Now try the same thing on A  to Athabasca Monkey

New point   Dividing one beat into 4 small notes makes SEMIQUAVERS  

Practice tips    Try Wintertime in Russia  first on A       track 26
                       Easter Island Monkey                          track  16
                       Athabasca Monkey                              track 4

Performance I really enjoyed playing one of my pop music favourites for you . I am a big fan of the Scissors Sisters  and I love playing  'I  Don't Feel Like Dancing '      How many quavers were in your riff based on the title.
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Seamus Doyle, Conductor of St Agnes' Orchestra in St Agnes' School Crumlin sent me this message for you after he met you at last weeks's concert

It was great to see you all at the concert. Keep up the great work you are doing. Ennis and county Clare have a great reputation around the country for music making, and I hope all the Blazing Bows, and Scoil Chríost Rí pupils enjoy making this even greater.
Warm regards,
Seamus.

January 24

Cathy's Blog: Irish Times Music in the Classroom University Con...

Cathy's Blog: Irish Times Music in the Classroom University Con...: "     Emmanuel Lawlor and Conductor Gearoid Grant          4th class in the foyer Principal Powe..."

NCH Learn and Explore Consultant visits SCR

Blazing Bows with visiting teacher Dorothy Conaghan

 Great day today. Well done class . Two sessions and all fingers down . We loved the new tunes Dorothy introduced today from  'The Magic Carpet' especially Winter time in Russia'  Thanks to the Learn and Explore consultant for a two great sessions today.  Thanks also to Alice Foley for her assistance today!


Newsflash   Blazing Bows bound for the University Concert Hall Limerick for a date with the RTE Concert Orchestra for  RTE Music in the Classroom concert . Can't wait!


Dorothy demonstrates



Ms Vaughan swaps notes

Recital Duet

No shoulders

Blazing Bows Term 2 begins

Term 2 began this morning in the Hall at SCR.     We were joined by by Aileen, a student  from Mary Immaculate College , Limerick.   We played through some of our favourite repertoire from last term .  Everybody remembered most things and we moved on  to learning two notes putting first finger down on A and D . We learned how to recognise B and E on the stave . Can you remember which lines they are on.  Jordan and Dylan  were leaders today.   
We heard a cello and violin duet or piece fot two instruments .
We listened to Hoe Down  by American Composer  Aaron Copland. .

Homework . Click on the Learn and Explore Link at the top of the page and  check out the trad session in the John Field Room.

NEWSFLASH   Reknowned teacher Dorothy Conaghan  from the National Concert Hall's Learn & Explore programme will visit Blazing Bows next Tuesday  and conduct a workshop .