Music & Drama

As a boy, I'd always had an interest in theater. But the idea at my school was that drama and music were to round out the man. It wasn't what one did for a living. I got over that. - Hugh Jackman
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Music is a major part of life in St. Patrick’s College, Cavan with an abundance of groups and activities to take part in.
Music is available at Junior Certificate & Leaving Certifcate.
Students can be part of:

 

  • The traditional Irish Group
  • The Choir
  • The Jazz Band
  • Play a solo instrument
  • Play in a pop/rock band
  • Compose and record their own music

Our school is a busy place for choristers and instrumentalists ! The school year starts off with the choir and orchestral players and traditional Irish group players performing at the school masses. Next on the agenda is  the traditional Irish group and jazz band performing on open night. Auditions for the school musical/play then commence (every two years) or Pat’s Factor also every 2 years. Preparations begin in earnest for the Carol Service in the Cathedral with all four secondary school choirs joining the Cavan Singers and the Cathedral Choir. Every year the music department produces a Christmas CD of original songs and a YouTube video. Christmas 2020 marks the 10th anniversary with a special edition vinyl release. After Christmas all the large ensembles and soloists prepare for concerts and/or the College musical. The year draws to a close with the Choir and instrumentalists performing at the Leaving Certificate graduation mass.

Competitions

This year St. Pat’s took the 1st prize in the Traditional Irish group competition, 1st place in the U14 trumpet competition and highly commended in the Concert Band competition at the Wesley Interschools Festival in March.

Song Writing Workshops

CreateSchool.ie, Josh Mc Clorey & Daragh Slacke provide songwriting workshops every year.

The traditional Irish group gave a joint concert with the Comhaltas Tour of Ireland group in the  sports hall last November and regularly perform at local and school events.

The Bishop Leo O’ Reilly organ scholarship is been awarded for the 1st time this year.

Individual Music Lessons

Individual lessons are available and instruments provided on a loan basis (in some cases) in Piano, Pipe Organ, Trumpet, Saxophone, Violin,  Singing, Drums, Guitar and banjo.

All music students learn Ukulele, tin whistle and recorder in class but can choose their own instrument for Junior Certificate & Leaving Certificate exams.

 Up to date windows based computers with Protools recording software are also available.