Tuning Up is a music-in-schools programme which aims to bring students face-to-face with the best Irish performers of the baroque, classical, modern and traditional repertoire.  Tuning Up complements the music curriculum at primary and post-primary level.  It is concerned wtih broadening the young person’s experience of music, encouraging a sense of exploration and engagement with music in a positive interactive environment.


Our 2018/19 programme of Tuning-Up projects is finalised.

The projects take place during October, November and January, and if you are a school in County Cork, interested in signing up for any of them, please contact Sara by email or by ringing the West Cork Music office on 027 52788.

October 8 – 12 Doolan String Quartet

The Doolan String Quartet will take Haydn’s ‘Emperor’ Quartet and Schubert ‘s ‘Death and the Maiden’ to new extremes of musical imagination and creativity. The four musicians and their facilitator Diane Daly will explore the musical structural form of Theme and Variations, to encourage their listeners to have fun with methods of composition, string playing techniques and recognition of musical ideas.

October 22 – 26  Aurora Harp and Flute Duo

Prepare to be swept away into the wonderful world of live music making and performance with the Aurora Flute and Harp Duo. In this informal and educational workshop Fiona and Katie, along with their instruments, will explore the importance and power of water in music and the world.

November 5 – 7  Artemis Brass Ensemble

This interactive workshop features the instruments of the Brass Quintet and charts the progression of music from Baroque to contemporary music and jazz in an exciting and interactive way. Hailing from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, Artemis Brass features many of the island’s leading orchestral and chamber musicians.

November 8 & 9 Irish Guitar Quartet

Join the IGQ as they hunt for Opals in Australia, take shelter from a storm in a Cuban Landscape, and dance the Habanera in Spain – all conveyed through the magic of the guitar. Through participation in an ensemble exercise, the students will learn about teamwork, cooperation and what it takes to be part of a successful group.

January 14 – 18 Bangers and Crash Percussion with Caitriona Frost and Alex Petcu

Two members from the Bangers and Crash Percussion Group, Caitriona and Alex, take to the stage to show off all that percussion has to offer. The world of percussion is incredibly vast and there are thousands upon thousands of percussion instruments in existence today. The aim of this workshop is to introduce students to some of these instruments, to raise their curiosity and give them a taste of music-making through both observation and direct participation.


Find out more on our Education pages.

Time to Tune Up!