Le Chéile was established in St. Aidan’s Community School, in September 2008 by two teachers, Úna Moloney and Heidi Tully. Drawing from their experience within the school with folk groups, choirs, variety shows, musicals and keeping in mind the vast variety of students attending the school from all over the world, they felt the time was right to bring the students together, “Le Chéile”, through music.
At present music classes are running indjembe drum, bodhran, keyboard and guitar on Fridays and run for two terms over the school year.
Le Chéile singing groupis directed by Heidi Tully and Una Moloney. Practice takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 12.55pm, lunch time, with approximately 50 pupils participating.
Aims & Objectives
- To foster an appreciation among the students for each other throughout their playing and singing together, "Unity through Diversity".
- To train and develop the students as singers and as musicians and to foster an appreciation of music among the students.
- To organise and provide music tuition for students in the school.
- To showcase the songs and music representing all traditional and ethical minorities through performances within the school and community on a regular basis.
- To build the self esteem of students and to develop in students a positive self image of their school.
- To encourage teamwork, communication, listening skills and reinforcing the skills for learning outlined in the school banner.
- To explore and develop the similarities and differences within the different genres of music and fuse them together into one melting pot.
- To develop this programme in particular with the J.C.S.P students, with one emphasis on musical workshops.
- To develop and links with other programmes within the school i.e. School Completion Programme, Traveller Programme and NBSS "Back on Track" Programme.
Performances
Le Chéile has performed at a number of school and community functions and we plan to continue to perform at these events in the future.
- Multi Cultural Youth Awards – Le Chéile received an award at this ceremony.
- Spring into Action – Le Chéile performed at this environmental presentation in the local community centre
- The Square’s 20th Birthday Concert Le Chéile joined with the Garda Band to entertain a large group of guests for the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the Square Tallaght.
- The Roddy Doyle “ Get Tallaght Reading” Celebration – In Shamrock Rover’s Stadium.
- Annual Concert–Three concerts involving approximately 118 students from all years and classes in front of an audience which included the whole school and parents have been held and this will be an annual event in the school calendar.
- Lord Mayor’s Visitfor Student Council medal ceremony
- JCSP Christmas Displays – Le Chéile has performed at the Display for parents, teachers and students.
- School Remembrance Mass
- St. Aidan’s Christmas Mass
- 6th Year Graduation Ceremony
- Seachtain na Gaelige – Le Chéile performed Irish traditional songs and music during Irish week.
- Open Day– Le Chéile performed on the school Open Day for incoming pupils and parents .
- Parents Evening – Le Chéile performed for guests including the Mayor of South Dublin County Council.
- National Grandparents Day Celebrations Le Chéile entertained Grandparents with a selection of traditional Irish, African and modern pieces as part of the National Grandparents Day Celebrations in the School.
- Opening of St. Aidan’s Library – Le Chéile welcomed An Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, Mary Coughlan, to the opening of the School Library.
- Citywest Shopping Centre -The Group welcomed Santa and played and sang Christmas carols and other songs in the centre.
- Lucan Lodge House for the Elderly. Le Cheile travelled to Lucan Lodge and students performed for the residents
- Brookfield Community Festival –Fifty students: singers, guitar students, bodhrán and d’jembe drum students, attended and performed in the Brookfield Community centre during the festival.
Collaboration with Organisations in the Community
South Dublin County Council Arts Office who has provided financial awards to help fund the project recognising the work being done at grass roots level to foster and develop musical education among young people.
Dodder Valley Partnership has provided funding for the project in the past.
Development of the Le Cheile Music Project
Le Chéile has given students the opportunity to learn to play an instrument and participate in a music group. Le Chéile has also given all students involved, an opportunity to perform in front of their parents, local community, school peers and alongside students of all abilities, thereby greatly enhancing their sense of self esteem, self image, ownership and belonging within the school and their community.