“There is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it and you simply take as much of it as you require” Edward Edgar (1857-1934)
“Music Magic” is a pre-instrumental active music-making programme for young children provided at Music West, Castlebar Retail Park, Breaffy Road. There are 3 programmes designed for children aged 4-8 years, to train them in the fundamental skills of music in a fun and age appropriate way.
Pre-school Music Magic – for children aged 4-5 years who are not yet in school, but can operate independently of their parents in a group setting. This programme helps children to develop musical concepts through singing, listening and moving to music, chanting, artwork, percussion.
Music Magic Stage 1 – for children in Junior Infants to 2nd class who are new to the pre-instrumental music class. This programme develops a child’s musical skills through singing, dancing, musical games, aural skills and instrument exploration.
Music Magic Stage 2 – for children in Junior Infants to 2nd class who have attended 3 terms or more of the Music Magic Stage 1 pre-instrumental music class. This programme builds on the skills learned in stage 1, through singing, listening and responding to music, learning symbols, basic music writing skills, song-writing and instrument performance.
The Music Magic programme is facilitated by Catherine McGlinchey who is trained in music pedagogy and experienced in delivering music programmes to children of all ages, including children with special educational needs. John Caulfield, who is also an experienced brass teacher, co-facilitates these fun and interactive classes on Saturdays.
At the end of their pre-instrumental training, children will have music skills associated with tempo, rhythm, dynamics, keeping a beat, pitching, solfege, recognising timbre, basic song and melody-writing, performing music, instrument exploration. They can then progress onto the technical and musical skills required to learn to play an instrument of their choice, confident in the solid musical foundation they have built through Music Magic.
A variety of instrument lessons are available at Music West including classical and contemporary music from brass, woodwind and string families; piano and keyboard; drums; guitar and traditional instrument lessons with John Kilkenny at Rolling Waves. From these lessons children and adults can progress into the many ensembles rehearsing at Music West throughout the year.
For more information on the Music Magic Programme or to book a place, contact Catherine McGlinchey on 086-8290481 or email info@musicwest.ie or musicmagic@musicwest.ie.
Music Magic Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long is the class?
Pre-school Music Magic is 30 mins and the Music Magic Stage 1 and Stage 2 classes are 40 mins. - How many children are in each class?
The classes have no more than 10 children registered per group to ensure high levels of participation and attention from the 2 teachers. - What does it cost?
The classes are €10 each payable on a term basis. Each term is either 6 or 7 weeks long, so the term fee is €60 or €70 per term. The fee is payable up front at the first session of the term. Unfortunately we don’t have card payment facilities at Music West, so it can be paid in cash. If 2 or 3 children from one family participate in the programmes, a 10% discount is applied to the overall fee. - Who teaches on the programme?
Catherine and John teach on the programme with occasional guest musicians providing inspiration by performing on their instrument. Both are active, performing musicians and teachers, trained and experienced in delivering music programmes to both children and adults. 
Can I accompany my child in the class?
Children generally attend on their own, though parents are welcome to help their child settle in and feel comfortable in the class. In the long-term the children adapt well to the inclusive environment and their new friends and work without parental participation. It can be distracting if other children are brought into the session as part of a parent’s role settling a child in, so this is discouraged.- If my child doesn’t like the class, can I get my money back?
The programme is organised into short terms of 6-7 weeks, to give children the opportunity to fully settle into the group and class routine. The breaks at the end of terms allow children that don’t settle in, the opportunity to leave. If your child is not happy after a couple of weeks attending, an arrangement can be reached regarding committed fees. - What about Child Protection?
Music West has a clear policy regarding Child Protection and GDPR which parents must read and sign before the Music Magic class starts. The music tutors are garda vetted and trained in the HSE’s Children First policy.