“THIS IS the best day’s craic I’ve ever had,” declared President Mary McAleese yesterday to an audience of exuberant primary school children at Limerick’s University Concert Hall.
The President then led the audience in singing Happy Birthdayto celebrate the 21st anniversary of Music in the Classroom, an initiative established in 1989, to introduce orchestral music to young people. She thanked sponsors The Irish Timesand RTÉ "who put their hearts and souls into it every year".
The scheme involves the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra staging performances every year for teachers and schoolchildren. The intention is to give children a greater understanding of classical music, inspire them to take up an instrument and develop the habit of going to orchestral concerts.
Almost 40,000 children attend the performances every year in Dublin and at regional venues.
Over the past 21 years, the tour has visited Athlone, Belfast, Castlebar, Cork, Derry, Galway, Killarney, Limerick, Waterford and Wexford.
“There’s nothing like music with a live orchestra,” observed the President, and the young audience shared her enthusiasm.
For over an hour, they cheered and sang along as conductor Gearoid Grant led the RTÉ Concert Orchestra in a selection of classical and popular music.
Craig Moore (8), from St Paul’s National School in Dooradoyle, thought the concert was “brilliant”, while his friend Alexander Ciszewicz (9) thought it was “very good”.
Donat Leahy, principal of Scoil An Spioraid Naomh, Roxborough, described the concept as “absolutely fantastic”.
President McAleese high-fived children as she left the concert hall with her husband Martin.
Speaking after the concert, Gerry Smyth, managing editor of The Irish Times, said the paper was "proud to support and encourage the enjoyment of music".
The Irish Timespublishes a Music in the Classroom magazine twice a year for primary schools, designed to enhance children's experience of the concerts.