Students are invited to be members of ensembles from the beginning of their studies.
The Junior Orchestra
provides an ensemble setting for beginners having grade III and higher:
Works studied include arrangements by Stone and Dackow. Performances are
given at Christmas, Spring and Summer. Rehearsals every Monday from 5
pm to 6 pm.
The Senior Orchestra
provides an ensemble setting for the more advanced students. New works
are studied firstly by the sections and then performed in ensemble. Tuition
is provided by professional musicians. Rehearsals are every Thursday from
6 pm to 8 pm. The Senior Orchestra at Herbert Lodge Arts Centre is a member
of Irish Association of Youth Orchestras. (I.A.Y.O.)
The Young Kildare Singers
This is a Junior Choir. Children may join this group at any age to nine
years. Students are trained to sight read, to listen to each other, to
sing in unison and in two part harmony. Children learn popular classical
and modern songs. Children are also taught a repertoire of Church Music
including Plain Chant.
The Young Kildare Chorale
These young singers study written music. They learn to sight read. They
sing in unison and harmony. They may sing accompanied or unaccompanied.
The New Kildare Chorale sing songs from Baroque through Romantic to Modern
composers. Students extend their Church Music Repertoire. Students perform
regularly at liturgical celebrations and give public concerts.
Their founder is Ite O'Donovan, founder of Piccolo Lasso and Lassus Scholars. Ite is conductor of County Kildare Orchestra. She is a musician of the highest calibre. She is one of Ireland's finest musicians.
