Dancing to a difference tune

THE schoolchildren of Scoil Mhuire at Coolcotts near Wexford town had a new subject added to their curriculum last year - something a little out of the ordinary.

Now they're hoping to repeat the performance in the coming school year.

Following proposals to the school from Deirdre Grant of the Wexford based Myriad Dance Group last September, and subsequently a successful application to the Arts Council for the necessary finances, the school put on a six week series of dance classes. These commenced last February, and involved all the school's pupils.

The initial idea from Grant was warmly welcomed by all of Scoil Mhuire's teachers, which has sought through its 13 year history to get children involved in the arts.

When a £3,000 grant was approved by the Arts Council, the school was able to employ two dance teachers. They brought a diet of international dance not only to the children, but also to their parents through evening classes.

Bridget Scully, a teacher at Scoil Mhuire, made the initial application for the grant. Now, having supplied a comprehensive report to the council on last year's success, she is currently renewing the application, in the hope of further developing the children's interests.

"Dance was a great medium - all the children identified with it and they were all equal - there were no prima donnas," she says.

The classes, entitled "Changing Rhythms", have been a confidence builder she says, particularly for the older children. The result was an atmosphere which apparently rubbed off on everybody in the school: "We were all in great humour all the time," says Scully.

Parent Mary McConnor Wallace who participated in the classes for parents, agrees. "Afterwards we all spoke of the sense of freedom self expression and movement re awakened in us," she says.

The children's efforts culminated in two performances in March of this year. Classes took the opportunity to perform dances from other countries. The senior infants' performance took on the flavour of a Brazilian Mardi Gras for example, and an effort was made to kit the children out in the appropriate national dress.

The teachers went on to extend these ideas and came up with an "international Food Day", in which they involved pupils in all sorts of exotic cooking.

The school's dancing success has come during a year in which the Arts Council has increased its dance awards by 89 per cent - from £32,000 to £57,000. The council also appointed a full time dance officer, Gaye Tanham, early this year.

A spokeswoman for the Council said last week that the policy of the council was to evaluate each case "on its artistic value to the children and on the nature of the project". The aim is both to spread available funds around as widely as possible, while encouraging, if possible, projects which have already received assistance, she added.

Whatever happens, Scoil Mhuire's teachers won't be resting on their laurels, says Scully.

If the school is not successful with this year's grant application, it is ready to consider subsidising arts classes, for which the children may have to pay individually. These may be dance classes, or perhaps they will be held in another, equally exciting medium.