Performing Arts Music

The Music Department at The King’s Hospital is renowned for providing excellent tuition across a breadth of instruments and voice training. Students can learn a wide range of instruments, singing or music theory from beginner level to advanced. Our experienced teachers will ensure students achieve their highest potential and gain a thorough understanding of their instrument. Our brand new Digital Recording Studio also allows students to explore music technology and production.

Music lessons are offered weekly as group or private tuition from September to May each year, with students put forward for the Royal Irish Academy grade examinations in the summer. Students leave one subject class each week by rotation with an assurance that no more than two of the same academic classes are missed per term.

In addition, we have a number of music ensembles within the school, some of which are non-audition, offering every student the opportunity to create music together, please see our Performing Arts page for more details.

At King’s Hospital, we aim for musical excellence, while maintaining a sense of enjoyment in performance. Music is at the heart of the school, with entire year groups participating in hymns during morning chapel and a large number of public performances throughout the year. Many former KH students have gone on to have successful careers as professional musicians, such as Denise Chaila, Lisa Hannigan, Rory Musgrave, Carolyn Holt, Overhead the Albatross, Jedward and many more.

Head of Music – Ciarán Kelly ( BA, MA from The Royal Academy of Music )

Singing/Musical Theatre
Singing lessons are led by KH Head of Music Ciarán Kelly and Vocal Ensemble Director Victoria Warwick. Ciarán and Victoria both have a wealth of performance and educational experience, having travelled the world with the likes of Anúna, The Five Irish Tenors, Celtic Woman and various opera companies. Ciarán and Victoria are both founding members of Ireland’s only professional a cappella ensemble Ardú.

Piano
There are three established piano teachers at King’s Hospital. Jonathan Healy, Tracy O’Donnell and Órán Halligan make up our keyboard team. Jonathan holds an MA in composition and analysis, Tracy holds an MA in performance and musicology, while Órán has completed both a Diploma in Music Teaching and Bachelor’s in Music Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He also holds a Masters in Piano from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. All three teachers as established performers in their own right.

Violin/Viola
The string department is led by Christine Meehan (MA Hons, BA Hons). As a teacher of violin and viola Christine has worked in a number of schools in the Dublin area, including the DIT Conservatory of music. A former member of the City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra, she now freelances as viola/violinist with a number of professional quartets and ensembles, and has also played regularly with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland as a viola player.

Brass (Trumpet/Trombone/French Horn)
Sean Hearns is a former conductor and Principal Trombone Garda Band. He is an experienced classically trained trombonist. Sean has been involved with music for over 40 years, including coaching and teaching both adults and children as well as playing professionally with the likes of RTÉ Symphony Orchestra and RTÉ Concert Orchestra.

Guitar
One of our most popular instruments is guitar. All of our guitar students are taught by Dave Mullen. Dave has been a professional musician and teacher for over 20 years having studied guitar and drum kit/ Percussion at DIT (now TUD). He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, the RTE Concert Orchestra and has a busy performing schedule as a musician for musical theatre productions. He has performed in every major venue in Ireland including the National Concert Hall, Three Arena, Bord Gais energy theatre in addition to touring throughout the UK, USA and Europe.

Drums
We offer individual and group lessons on drums, taught by Mr Dave Hardy (B.Mus UCD, bandmaster and founder of Blue Clavon Orchestra). Students can learn many percussion styles, from samba to rock, and some participate in our contemporary music ensembles throughout the school year.

Woodwind – Flute/Clarinet/Saxophone
Lisa Cunningham ( B.Mus.Ed TCD/GRIAM and M.Mus TCD/DCU)  as well as teaching curriculum music at KH, is also our flute teacher. Dave Hardy teaches saxophone and clarinet, and often invites these players to join his jazz band!