Orchestral Odyssey
PROJECT: Fingal County Council brought the magic of a full orchestra to 1400 children in Swords for Cruinniú na nÓg 2024.
Fingal County Council, Creative Ireland and the Irish School Orchestra presented ‘Orchestral Odyssey’ for children and families in Swords in June 2024. The magic of a full orchestra was brought directly to children in school settings and families in the newly refurbished Carnegie Library.
Swords Educate Together National School, Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe and Scoil Chrónáín Senior National School responded to the invitation issued by Fingal Arts Office. Musicians Niall O’Sullivan, Shóna Henneberry and Denice Doyle visited each school over three weeks to mentor children in carefully selected songs about inclusivity, diversity, and resilience, alongside the intricate art of ensemble performance. Children were encouraged to explore the layers of orchestral compositions in preparation for performing in front of their peers accompanied by the 35 professional musicians forming the Irish School Orchestra.
Children got acquainted to the instruments of the orchestra and to the classical masterworks, memorable film scores, beloved TV themes and captivating opera & contemporary arias.
AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council commented, ‘Fingal Arts Office is committed to the enhancement of children’s music education and strives to establish educational partnerships that underscore the pivotal importance of music in a child’s development’.
Niall O’Sullivan, Musical Director said, ‘Highly skilled professionals are at the heart of the Irish School Orchestra, which serves as a catalyst for the development of young minds, inspiring audiences, and musicians alike’, he continued, ‘In an era defined by constant stimulation, this project offers children an oasis and an opportunity to witness the transformative magic of live music’.
Julie Clarke, of Fingal Arts Office commented, ‘This ambitious project connected children in Swords with some of the finest musicians in Ireland and enabled the children to contribute to the music being made, she continued, ‘Orchestral Odyssey is an exemplar of quality music education’.
CLIENT: Fingal County Council
What they needed
Long-time collaborators Fingal County Council Arts Office approached us with Orchestral Odyssey, a project designed to bring live orchestral music into primary school settings. The initiative aimed to introduce children to the experience of a full orchestra performing in their own school environment, making orchestral music accessible, immediate, and engaging.
Fingal Arts Office asked us to do what we do best and we were happy to oblige.
What we did
The project captured our imagination immediately. Much of our work involves spending time with young people as they engage with different art forms, and we had previously documented the National Concert Orchestra. We understood the potential impact of bringing the scale and immediacy of live orchestral music directly into schools.
We filmed across multiple schools in the Fingal area over several days, coordinating closely with schools around schedules, permissions, and safeguarding considerations. Our approach focused on observing genuine moments of engagement, while also conducting interviews with students and organisers to reflect on the experience.
Over time, we have developed an approach to interviewing people of all ages, including children, creating a relaxed environment that allows them to articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently.
The final delivery included a three-minute film capturing the scope and outcomes of Orchestral Odyssey, alongside a series of shorter clips designed for social media use in the lead-up to a public event.