Beginning from TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER, all our MUSIC BOX classes will run using ZOOM for our live classes and a very easy wee app called SLACK for students to stay in touch, access notes etc. The IDP ran a great course recently offering help to move classes online, and I really feel having had a couple of weeks of in person classes, that we can progress online and maintain our wonderful sense of community as we do!

Boogie Bugs Music & Movement 3-6yrs

Singing/Music 6-14yrs

Guitar Academy Age 6+ – various levels.

We are DELIGHTED to welcome new students to Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs, Singing & Music AND Guitar Academy from anywhere!!!

TIMETABLE:

Wed 4.15, Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs

Wed 5.15, Singing & Music

Wed 6pm Advanced Guitar

Thur 5pm, Beginner Guitar

Thur 6pm, Intermediate Guitar

ONLINE PRICES: (via PayPal)

Singing & Music €4 Weekly**Guitar Academy €5 Weekly**Boogie Bugs $5 Weekly

HERE’S HOW IT’S GOING TO WORK!!

We can do all our work on ZOOM safely and it’s really simple – once we get the first week over, we’ll all be masters!  Classes will all run at their usual times (I know this will be tricky for kids in after schools, but maybe their carers will jump on board too!).  

Our classes will still run for 45 mins. If you want to join the online sessions, you can do so by paying weekly on Paypal, and I can then forward a zoom meeting link to you on FB or via email. Paypal address is:  paypal.me/berniedohertymusic – pls be sure to include your child’s name/class in the notes section of paypal.

In addition, I’ll also be asking you to download the SLACK app (pretty name!).  This is a really simple free app where I can share notes and classwork, where families and kids can stay in touch or ask me or each other questions if they’d like too. I’ll need your email address to add you to our Music Box Slack account so please send that on as soon as possible.  In Slack, each class has a link so it’s very easy to navigate and find the work related to your class.

I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to this, hopeful that after the school break, we can meet face to face and maybe even complete our Christmas project – but even if we can’t – I have a wonderful Spring Music & Video recording plan in place too don’t ya know!!

Get in touch with your questions!!

Chat soon,

Bernie xxx

http://www.facebook.com/themusicboxschool / themusicboxireland@gmail.com

http://www.themusicboxireland.com / http://www.berniedohertymusic.com

Well just like everyone else this year, here at The Music Box we’ve had start dates, close dates, likely dates and re-open dates! It’s definitely been quite the ride, but I’m ready to hop off now and settle into something that is sustainable, beneficial, positive and totally doable – ONLINE CLASSES!!

Beginning from TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER, all our MUSIC BOX classes will run using ZOOM for our live classes and a very easy wee app called SLACK for students to stay in touch, access notes etc. The IDP ran a great course recently offering help to move classes online, and I really feel having had a couple of weeks of in person classes, that we can progress online and maintain our wonderful sense of community as we do!

Boogie Bugs Music & Movement 3-6yrs

Singing/Music 6-14yrs

Guitar Academy Age 6+ – various levels.

We are DELIGHTED to welcome new students to Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs, Singing & Music AND Guitar Academy from anywhere!!!

TIMETABLE:

Wed 4.15, Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs

Wed 5.15, Singing & Music

Wed 6pm Advanced Guitar

Thur 5pm, Beginner Guitar

Thur 6pm, Intermediate Guitar

ONLINE PRICES: (via PayPal)

Singing & Music €4 Weekly**Guitar Academy €5 Weekly**Boogie Bugs $5 Weekly

HERE’S HOW IT’S GOING TO WORK!!

We can do all our work on ZOOM safely and it’s really simple – once we get the first week over, we’ll all be masters!  Classes will all run at their usual times (I know this will be tricky for kids in after schools, but maybe their carers will jump on board too!).  

Our classes will still run for 45 mins. If you want to join the online sessions, you can do so by paying weekly on Paypal, and I can then forward a zoom meeting link to you on FB or via email. Paypal address is:  paypal.me/berniedohertymusic – pls be sure to include your child’s name/class in the notes section of paypal.

In addition, I’ll also be asking you to download the SLACK app (pretty name!).  This is a really simple free app where I can share notes and classwork, where families and kids can stay in touch or ask me or each other questions if they’d like too. I’ll need your email address to add you to our Music Box Slack account so please send that on as soon as possible.  In Slack, each class has a link so it’s very easy to navigate and find the work related to your class.

I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to this, hopeful that after the school break, we can meet face to face and maybe even complete our Christmas project – but even if we can’t – I have a wonderful Spring Music & Video recording plan in place too don’t ya know!!

Get in touch with your questions!!

Chat soon,

Bernie xxx

http://www.facebook.com/themusicboxschool / themusicboxireland@gmail.com

http://www.themusicboxireland.com / http://www.berniedohertymusic.com

Well, it’s been a while, but we finally have a start date! Classes in person will start from Sept 14, and online classes start on Sept 7th!

I’ve been busy behind the scenes navigating safety plans and guidelines for a safe return to classes, and I’m so happy that we can recommence our classes and get back to some music. Deeeeelighted!!! Please check details and be sure to book as places must be limited and specific safety measures are in place for some classes, as well as slightly shorter times of 45 mins (30 mins for online).

**Paypal is available for anyone preferring that option: paypal.me/berniedohertymusic**

Our website has been updated so each class has it’s own page full of information and timetables regarding the classes you’re interested in. .

Some classes will be in person – Singing/Music, Guitar Academy & Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs (45 mins long) and some will be online – Boogie Bugs 0-3yrs (30 mins). As always, we will pay at the start of each month/block, and paypal will be available for online classes as well as in person if you prefer that. Please do get in touch with any questions you may have

Pls be sure to book – walk-ins will not be possible under covid-19 guidelines and room capacities etc. Timetable summary is below also!

• 

• 

Sounds intriguing…….

This term most of our guitarists are selecting songs themselves – working on them at home and in class – working more towards becoming ‘performers’ and ‘independent’, rather than continually playing a prepared list of songs together.  My aim is that they will feel more in control of their music and their playing – and that ultimately one song will lead to another – one new chord or variation will lead to more new discoveries – tabs, power chords, bar chords – they’re all being incorporated already, and because it’s music chosen by them – they are more driven to work on them at home as well!

I am also encouraging everyone to sing while they play, in class as well as at home.  Many of our guitarists are singers, but in a ‘guitar class’ context, they can fall into that idea of only playing, rather than keeping both skills going together.  Not all our guitarists are singers, so that won’t suit everyone, but for many, it’s a confidence building exercise in a room of like minded children who share that ‘we’re all in this together’ view.

We’ll see where it goes – we’re, still working on a few group songs to make sure our learning is incorporating important ‘next steps’, but after just a couple of weeks of this additional element – it’s definitely paying off in terms of what I’m hearing the students play in class, and how much enjoyment they are getting from figuring out the songs themselves, and working with me on new chords, difficult stretches in the music and song choices.

Great start to the year guitarists ❤

It’s going to be a busy year, so let’s just get down to the details!!

Our 0-3yrs set have a 4 week block of Music & Movement starting January 10th in The Exchange, Buncrana.  Booking is essential for this one, so get in touch to grab a place!

I’m starting a wee project to see us all through the dark days till Easter – it’s the Inishowen Choir of Ages!!  A long overdue intergenerational singing project inviting adults, teens, and children aged 8+ to join in singing new and old songs together.  Practice will take place Every Wednesday from January 29th in The Exchange, Buncrana 7.30pm – 8.30pm, and we’ll put on a performance to end our project around Easter.  It’s going to be beautiful! ❤

Our singers, guitarists and 3-6 yr old Boogie Bugs had an amazing Christmas, filled with wonderful performances and the launch of our Christmas cd.  Such a magical time and I was so so proud of every single one of them!  What an outstanding group of hard working, committed, fun and happy children!

As our regular classes restart next week (From January 7th, we are happy to welcome new students to our singing groups.  Pls get in touch though, and if you have any questions about our guitar academy, we’d love to hear from you too!

One last huge and heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone I know and all our music families for all the kindness and support since we said goodbye to Daddy in August.  It means so much to be part of a truly caring community, it was our saving grace on many a difficult day without him.  You’re all sooooooo good!

We’ve had some amazing 0-3yrs classes this past year both in The Exchange in Buncrana, and the Sliabh Sneacht Centre in Drumfries.  There’s so much more to this experience that just singing Wheels on the Bus – though that’s great fun too!  Everything we do is based on fun and helping our kids learn and grow, and doing it with the people they love and regularly sing and play with! 

It’s motor skills, it’s spatial awareness, it’s literacy, it’s speech, it’s expression, it’s social, it’s gaining confidence, it’s learning what it means to work within a group.

Of course it’s also full of song and dance, colour and activity, bubbles, parachutes, scarves and lots of laughter!

You as the adult, play a huge part in our 0-3 class, particularly in terms of what you and your child will get out of it, so it’s important to us that you are relaxed and enjoying things too.  We may even bribe you with a wee cuppa before we start to get you settled in.  Also, I’m very aware that on busy mornings, parents may not even see a cup of tea or coffee before they leave the house!!

The best way to get the most out of class for both of you is to make sure you stay engaged in what’s happening and stay in the moment with the music and your child.  This is a very social occasion, but if we get completely caught up in chatting to our neighbour, we lose out on the benefits of doing this class together.

Snacks and toys from home are best left in the car, they usually attract plenty of wee ones that would also like your snack and your toy so unless you brought enough for everyone, it can be distracting.  Of course babies need to eat when they need to eat, so by all means feed those babas!

Otherwise, get comfy – have that wee cuppa before we start and settle in for a lovely time shared with your child.  It’s hard to get free time, to find activities to share so young, and music is one thing that reaches across all ages and generations.  You’ll hear songs that you sang when you were little and lots of new songs to share together.  We incorporate lots of different sounds and activities to keep everyone interested and if there’s anything you think we should add or change, we’d love to hear that too!

Looking forward, as always, to our next 0-3yrs block of classes and to seeing all your wee ones enjoying the music and action! ❤

THE MUSIC BOX AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2019

Welcome to a wonderful new year of music at The Music Box!  Our classes take place in The Exchange Buncrana, The Sliabh Sneacht Centre Drumfries and in family centres, theatres and schools all over the North West of Ireland! 

We have early years music, Community Singing groups and Guitar groups, as well as running seasonal workshops/camps and Songwriting Sessions. We welcome children from everywhere to join us for music, opportunity and the craic!

We have lots of news and plans to share between now and Christmas so here’s everything you need to know!

CLASS REGISTRATION 

Most of our classes are full at the moment, but we’d love to welcome more singers both in Buncrana & Drumfries.  Registration for singing will only be open for a few more weeks until January, as we prepare for a busy Christmas schedule of performing and recording! Guitarists with previous experience are always welcome to return to playing, as we usually have space in our improvers classes. As always, with the support of The Inish Times, many of our students get to write music related articles! Boogie Bugs & Beginners guitar classes are full.  Waiting lists in operation.

BIG CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENT!

This year we are absolutely DELIGHTED to stage a wonderful Christmas show in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel, in the beautiful Lisfannon Suite.  We hope to welcome all our families and everyone from the area who would like to enjoy a great community event full of all your favourite Christmas songs and seasonal cheer!  

The Show will be on Thursday 19th December, at 7pm and will feature music from our little Boogie Bugs class, The Music Box Singers, The Sliabh Sneacht Singers and all improver/advanced guitar classes.  Beginner guitarists will not take part in Christmas shows for their first year.

We’ll have some great prizes to raffle at the Christmas show, thanks in part to suggestions from our children! Admission will be €6 for adults, €3 for children over 5, with a maximum family ticket price of €18.

ANOTHER BIG CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENT!!

We are planning for our Singing groups to re-record the Christmas songs we recorded last year!  Our hopes of producing a Christmas EP in 2018 were dashed by disappointing work on behalf of the studio we hired, but we are not beat – we’ll do it again this year and our new studio is wonderful! Recording dates to follow!

IN SPRINGTIME…….

I’ll be planning a lovely project – our very own Buncrana Choir of Ages!  I’m really looking forward to welcoming singers young and old to join forces for a really special event, combining  the generations and talents from our wonderful town and surrounding townlands!

CONGRATULATIONS to our students that recently took part in a fantastic Culture Night event featuring Songs of Ireland and the play I wrote – “Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Drumfries Adventure”.  It was a brilliant night, that also featured outstanding dancing from Valerie Harkins dancers. I am always trying to broaden the children’s ideas of what is possible for them to achieve, from singing to playing music, songwriting to newspaper writing,  performing to recording, acting and supporting each other.  

They may not stay in class forever, but hopefully some of what we’ve done in class will stay with them forever! ❤

To join any of our classes, or if you have any questions, pm me on FB: The Music box or PH/TEXT Bernie 086 3068655.

For anyone that might not be familiar with what happens at The Music Box, here’s a wee intro to our classes.  There’s Improvers Guitar & Singing in Drumfries, and Beginners& Improvers Guitar, Singing and our amazing 3-6yrs Boogie Bugs class in Buncrana. Something for everyone and every level – it’s a great time to bring music into your child’s life!

The Music Box Singers/The Sliabh Sneacht Singers 6yrs +

These groups are amazing – affordable and lively, they are performance based singing groups staging their own Christmas and Summer shows, as well as smaller appearances at charity and community events throughout the year. We focus on technique, confidence and collaboration, and respect and appreciation for performance of all levels.

We have loads of solos, harmonies and everyone shares a great experience – learning so much while having a great time, and building life long memories and friends! As with all our groups, we endeavour to keep costs low, so there are no big surprises along the way – just the cost of classes and the option to buy our t-shirt/hoodie. We have also recorded over the years and have exciting plans to do so this year as well!

MUSIC BOX SINGERS meet in The Exchange in Buncrana on Wednesdays 5-6pm, and SLIABH SNEACHT SINGERS meet in Drumfries on Tuesdays 5-6pm

Guitar Academy, Beginners 7yrs +
We try to accommodate beginners every year, and this year beginners will meet in The Exchange in Buncrana on Thursdays at 5pm. We try hard to learn some basic chords in the first couple of months so that by Halloween we’re starting to put a few tunes together to keep the kids interested instead of just looking at chord sheets!

Again, we are focused on the music and performance – but in a group class, we are always good to each other and supportive, fostering the confidence to play in front of each other, and eventually our families and friends.

Guitar Academy, Improvers – all ages.
Whether you’re returning after the Summer break, or have lapsed in your playing for a while, we have groups at various levels of playing so we can find the right fit for you and you’ll be very welcomed back to guitar playing!! Get in touch to discuss where your child’s playing level lies and we’ll get to work! VARIOUS TIMES, PM FOR DETAILS

Boogie Bugs 3-6yrs.

This is where it all begins! Our youngest drop off class that is full of life, sound, colour and movement! We do it all in this group, and lay the foundations for a life long love of music, singing, playing, songwriting and performing. We explore the sounds of many instruments and enjoy all kinds of songs and dances, as well as the opportunity to take to the stage in a non pressured way to protect those tiny musicians of the future from stage fright 🙂 This class meets on Wednesdays 4-5pm in Buncrana.

We can’t wait to hear from you to get going in a big year of music – singing, learning, playing, exploring, collaborating and performing – all while supporting each other and having loads of fun and laughs along the way. 

We really change things up for the Summer here at The Music Box!  Abandoning our traditional weekly class format for a choice of two very different 4 day camps, to learn, laugh and really enjoy music, games, activities and songwriting.  Camps this year are:  “Movies & Musicals” Singing/Songwriting Ft. Natasha Grant Dance & “Playing The Hits” Guitar/Songwriting ft. Guest tutors.

We want to keep things focused on the fun, so our song choices reflect that, while offering musical challenges along the way – for our singers/songwriters, they’ll have the challenge of dancing with Natasha Grant this year – something new for our Summer school!  Our music will include songs from The Greatest Showman, Annie, Toy Story 4, The Wizard of Oz, Beauty & The Beast and The Sound of Music – something for everyone!

Our guitar/songwriting guest tutors are really special this year – former students that have really worked hard on their playing and are definitely ready to share some knowledge.  I’m delighted to be able to bring them in for our Summer Camps – they are worth hearing! Music from this camp includes modern songs from the last few years, as well as tips and techniques to improve everyones playing.

There are games, activities, challenges and lots of laughs to be had.  If we get some sun, we’ll even do some of our songwriting outdoors!

Places are becoming limited, so here’s all the info.

Camp takes place in The Exchange Inishowen, Buncrana, Co. Donegal

Singing/Songwriting camp is July 8-11, 10 – 12.45pm. No previous experience needed.

Guitar/Songwriting camp is July 8 1.15 – 4pm. Attendees must have at least 6 months playing experience.

Camps are €50 each, but there are discounts for families, or children attending both.

CAMPS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE, not just Music Box members!

 

 

 

 

So we have been BUSY!  Keep up with everything happening in The Music Box by following our website or liking and saving our Facebook page.  From Cruinniú Na Nóg/Creative Ireland funded songwriting workshops to summer shows and our MUSIC & ACTION PACKED Summer camps, there’s definitely something for everyone!