Priority of access to all LSOM instrumental/vocal tuition is now given to children who have come through the Gateway to Music programme. Our Gateway to Music Programme is the ideal route into music education for all young children. Children who engage with the programme gain a thorough preparation to enter the world of instrumental / voice tuition. The pedagogical approach is that of interactive musicianship, where students are introduced to the fundamental building blocks of understanding musical concepts through singing, play and games in a thoroughly musical way. The teachings of Kodaly, Dalcroze and Orff heavily inform the musicianship programme at Limerick School of Music.
Pre-Gateway (2nd year of playschool) and Gateway 1 (junior infants) years are focused solely on the group musicianship class. Gateway 2 (senior infants) children also take an instrumental try-out class where they rotate through modules in piano, violin, cello, recorder, trumpet and percussion. At the end of this year, children make an informed decision (in consultation with their parents and with LSOM teachers) as to which instrumental course they will study.
*Students must be attending primary school at time of enrolment for Gateway 1 and 2. Pre-Gateway class is for children who are attending 2nd year of preschool