Athenry Music School 2024 Graduands
Athenry Music School recently saw the graduation of their 2024 ‘graduands’ – the players who have participated the longest. The history of the graduands goes back to 2011 when a sponsor wanted to create an award within the music school. Katharine Mac Mághnuis, CEO of Athenry Music School, explains that “It was a hugely generous offer however we need to match our school’s non-competitive ethos and wished to create an award that everyone could achieve. Our observations at the time concluded that it tended to be the same kids who won academic prizes in school, sports awards, excelled in dance, etc. We wanted an award that was simply based on staying power and that aided retention of orchestra members for as long as possible”.
Thus, there is three tiered approach to being a graduand. Firstly, there is a very public acknowledgement of the graduands contribution to the school with the presentation of hoodies at the MEGA concert, the big end of year performance. Secondly, each Leaving Certificate year students’ parents are phoned to discuss work/ life balance in the final year of school. Katharine explains that “We chat about the well documented sorbet effect of music on the brain, the refreshing, and reboot button influence on a young person’s mind when playing music as a break from study as well as the friendships solidified. Lastly, we have an exception of tear down responsibilities for leaving certificate students (they get to walk out straight after a rehearsal) and we are very understanding about missing rehearsals.”
The hoodies are prized and worn for many years, some go on to share houses in college. Katharine has heard of past graduands meeting in college who never crossed paths in the orchestra but see each other’s hoodies. Some graduands continue to be involved with the orchestra even after their ‘graduation’. Three graduands came on tour to Belgium this year with the orchestra, as playing members and as supervisors. Katharine feels that players who stay involved Athenry Youth Orchestra are more likely to play in their college orchestra.
Speaking about the 2024 graduands, Katharine says that; “It has been an honour to have worked with our eleven 2024 Graduands throughout many years, they have served our orchestral and choral programme from their day on entry all the way to the end of their Leaving Certificate year. They have shown tenacity and loyalty, commitment and hard work and we only hope they’ve had as much fun in our company as we have had in theirs. I’m sure everyone joins with us in wishing them the very best throughout all their future adventures”.
Alba Rodriguez, a recent graduand says that “I started orchestra in Athenry Music School when I was nine and graduated at eighteen. Being in orchestra taught me the importance of working together. Just like in a team sport, each instrument has its role, and we all have to play in sync to make beautiful music. It’s taught me how to listen to others and work as a team, skills I’ve used in other parts of my life too. It’s also taught me not to give up easily because learning to play difficult pieces takes a lot of practice and patience. I have made many friends in orchestra who I will probably keep in contact with throughout my life. Something that has always been encouraged in orchestra is inclusivity and I have become very good at ensuring that people aren’t left out and making friends”.
