Waltons New School of Music

Waltons New School of Music ‘A centre for all sorts of musical activity…and all this while promoting excellence.’ — Irish Times See www.newschool.ie/musicforschools for more information.

‘...a centre for all sorts of musical activity...and all this while promoting excellence...’
– Irish Times

MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS

Founded in 1994, the New School is a comprehensive music centre, combining music tuition of the highest standard with innovative approaches to music education. Whether your interest is in classical music, Irish traditional music, jazz, world music, popular music or in

novative technology, there are many different paths by which you may enter the New School. Inside, our rooms and online lessons and courses are filled with people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds who have come together to explore the universal language of music. A SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE

Our students range in age from three to eighty-something. While we welcome those who study music for enjoyment (and offer a variety of instrumental, singing, theory and music technology courses for beginners), we are also committed to providing training for those who want to make a career of music. We offer tuition in most instruments and theory to performance or teaching diploma level and beyond, as well as training in a number of specialised styles and techniques. Professional musicians and singers from all over the world have used our practice facilities, and the school has even hosted a unique site-specific art installation. EXTERNAL PROGRAMMES

In addition to the music tuition offered in our city centre facilities and online for students all over Ireland and around the world, the New School has four programmes bringing music to the broader community:

• The Waltons World Masters Series, which since 2003 has brought a number of world-renowned musicians and groups to Ireland for performances, workshops, masterclasses and concerts for schools. See www.newschool.ie/worldmasters for more information.
• An extensive Outreach Programme of interactive music and cultural workshops and 'In-School' music courses that have taken place at several hundred schools, youth centres and other organisations in Dublin and around the country. See www.newschool.ie/outreach for more information.
• Music at Work, a unique programme designed to bring group music tuition right into Dublin-area workplaces. See www.newschool.ie/musicatwork for more information.
• The Waltons Music for Schools Competition, a national competition and celebration of music in Irish schools, presented by Waltons Music and the New School in association with RTÉ lyric fm and the National Concert Hall, that each year awards a total of €7,000 worth of vouchers for musical instruments and equipment to three primary and three post-primary schools. COLLABORATIONS

Collaboration with leading music and arts organisations in Ireland is an important aspect of our work. The New School has collaborated – both in its Outreach Programme and Waltons World Masters series – on a number of projects with such organisations as:

• The Ark
• Big Bang Festival of Rhythm
• Central Remedial Clinic
• City of Dublin Youth Services Board
• Dublin City Council
• Dublin Flamenco Festival
• Guitar Festival of Ireland
• Improvised Music Company
• Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
• IRMA Trust
• Music Network
• Musical Youth Foundation
• The National Concert Hall
• Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin
• RTÉ lyric fm
• RTÉ Radio 1
• Temple Bar Cultural Trust

THE MARTIN A. WALTON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Musical promise and achievement are rewarded at the New School through substantial annual scholarships and prizes. Two of our scholarships are offered specifically to mature students and beginners, groups most in need of the confidence-boost that comes from winning a music competition. A SCHOOL FOR YOU

If you want to prepare for a career in music; if you want to learn to play an instrument (or to become more proficient on an instrument); if you want to understand and appreciate music, in all its varieties and forms, more deeply; or if you simply want to participate in the joy of music-making, the New School of Music is here to serve you.

2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Announced!The twelve school music groups (six primary ...
15/04/2026

2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Announced!

The twelve school music groups (six primary and six post-primary) selected as Finalists in this year’s Music for Schools Competition were announced today on RTÉ lyric fm.

Our first-round adjudicators were enormously impressed by the high standard of entries this year and the imagination, musicality and effort evident in each of them. And they had their work cut out for them in selecting just twelve groups to perform in the 2026 Finalists Concert, which will take place in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland on Monday, May 18th.

At the Finalists Concert, our 2026 guest adjudicators Aedín Gormley and Paul Noonan, and Competition co-director Aideen Walton, will select three primary and three post-primary groups to win First, Second and Third prizes of €2,000, €1,000 and €500 vouchers (respectively) for musical instruments and equipment for their schools from Waltons Music Ireland. The other Finalist groups will receive €200 vouchers.

In addition to the Finalists, the adjudicators have also singled out groups that were not selected but are of particular merit as Commended, Highly Commended or Very Highly Commended. These schools will receive commendation certificates for all participants in acknowledgement of their achievements.

Lists of this year’s Finalists and commended schools can be viewed on the page below.

We are delighted to announce the 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalist schools!

2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Announcement TomorrowThe twelve Finalist school music ...
14/04/2026

2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Announcement Tomorrow

The twelve Finalist school music groups (six primary and six post-primary) selected to perform in the 2026 Music for Schools Competition Finalists Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland on May 18th will be announced by Niall Carroll on his Classical Daytime show on RTÉ lyric fm at noon (12 pm) tomorrow (April 15th).

Tune in tomorrow!

For the ideal accompaniment to your day, join Niall Carroll for four hours of great music from the heart of the classical repertoire. Producer: Eoin O Kelly | Production Co-Ordinator: Linda McGlynn

We are delighted to announce our 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Concert Guest Adjudic...
08/04/2026

We are delighted to announce our 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition Finalists Concert Guest Adjudicators, Aedín Gormley and Paul Noonan.

The Finalists Concert will take place in the National Concert Hall on Monday, 18 May.

We are delighted to announce our 2026 Music for Schools Competition Finalists Concert Guest Adjudicators – Aedín Gormley and Paul Noonan.

WALTONS TRAD SUMMER SCHOOL Monday, 13 July – Saturday, 18 July 2026We are delighted to announce the inaugural Waltons Tr...
14/03/2026

WALTONS TRAD SUMMER SCHOOL
Monday, 13 July – Saturday, 18 July 2026

We are delighted to announce the inaugural Waltons Trad Summer School, the first Dublin-based Irish music summer school!

With a superb teaching faculty and an exciting programme of events, the Waltons Trad Summer School is the first Dublin-based Irish music summer school.

Our Third Term courses, workshops and ensembles, all starting in April!
10/03/2026

Our Third Term courses, workshops and ensembles, all starting in April!

The New School is now enrolling for a wide range of acclaimed group courses and ensembles taking place in our Third Term (April – June 2026).

HAPPY NEW YEAR!The New School office is now open, and we're looking forward to a busy 2026 at the school.Our Second Term...
02/01/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The New School office is now open, and we're looking forward to a busy 2026 at the school.

Our Second Term (January – March) begins on Monday, January 5th, and we are currently accepting enrolments for lessons in our Second Term (12 weeks) and Second – Third Terms (22 weeks), as well as for Second Term group courses, workshops and ensembles. (See our Now Enrolling for Second Term Courses, Workshops & Ensembles news item – link below – for a full list of these.)

Our office is open Friday and Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm this week for enrolments and enquiries. You can get in touch with us by using the Contact Form on our website, by phoning us on (01) 478 1884 or by dropping by the office in person.

We hope your 2026 is full of great music!

We are now enrolling for a number of acclaimed group courses, workshops and ensembles taking place in our 2025-2026 Second Term (January – March 2026).

Ready to take your singing to the next level? Join Jennifer McMahon and Siobhán Kavagh in their intermediate group cours...
02/01/2026

Ready to take your singing to the next level?

Join Jennifer McMahon and Siobhán Kavagh in their intermediate group courses starting January.

Links in bio to sign up!

Waltons SING YOUR HEART OUT Choir returns January 15th!Auditions taking place on January 8th at 6:30pm on South Great Ge...
02/01/2026

Waltons SING YOUR HEART OUT Choir returns January 15th!

Auditions taking place on January 8th at 6:30pm on South Great George’s Street, Dublin

Fees for the second term starting at €168*

Give music for Christmas🎶🎄🎼☃️Our beginners courses for adults are the perfect way to share your love of music with frien...
18/12/2025

Give music for Christmas🎶🎄🎼☃️

Our beginners courses for adults are the perfect way to share your love of music with friends or family in 2026!

Sign up today for our 10 week courses starting in January for just €220 or purchase a gift certificate to surprise someone🎁

Links in bio

2026 WALTONS RTÉ LYRIC FM MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS COMPETITIONWaltons New School of Music and RTÉ lyric fm are delighted to ann...
02/12/2025

2026 WALTONS RTÉ LYRIC FM MUSIC FOR SCHOOLS COMPETITION

Waltons New School of Music and RTÉ lyric fm are delighted to announce the 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition, launched by RTÉ lyric fm on Friday, November 28th, and invite all Irish primary and post-primary schools to participate!

WHAT IT IS

The Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition is a national competition and celebration of music in Irish schools.

Since the Competition was founded in 2011, this nationwide event has been supporting young musicians and music education in Irish schools; celebrating music as a cornerstone of Irish education; and promoting confidence, creativity and collaboration from an early age.

The Competition is open to all primary and post-primary schools, as well as special schools, in the Republic of Ireland, and hundreds of schools from all 26 counties have participated in previous years.

HOW IT WORKS

Music groups formed by the schools work together to produce a piece or song in response to this year’s Competition theme, RHYTHM RULES! Groups can be made up of any combination of instrumentalists and singers that schools choose, and all music genres are welcome. (Past entries have included classical, Irish traditional, jazz, pop, rock, rap and folk.)

Twelve Finalist groups (six primary and six post-primary) will be selected to perform before their peers and a distinguished panel of adjudicators in the National Concert Hall on May 18th. And at the end of the concert, the adjudicators will announce this year’s six winning groups (three primary and three post-primary), which will win awards totalling €7,000 worth of vouchers for musical instruments and equipment from Waltons Music Ireland. The entire concert will be streamed live by RTÉ lyric fm and can be watched from anywhere in Ireland or around the world.

THIS YEAR’S CALENDAR

Entry Deadline: Friday, 20 March 2026 at 5 pm
Announcement of Finalists: Wednesday, 15 April
Finalists Concert: Monday, 18 May



Go to the link below for more information and entry forms.

The annual Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition is a non-profit national initiative celebrating and supporting music-making in Irish schools.

14/11/2025

This Evening’s Friday Casual Concert Postponed

Due to the Status Orange rain warning for Dublin today, we are postponing the Friday Casual Concert that was due to take place this evening to next Friday, 21 November. Stay safe - and dry!

Address

69 South Great George's Street, Dublin 2
Dublin
D02K540

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 10pm
Tuesday 10am - 10pm
Wednesday 10am - 10pm
Thursday 10am - 10pm
Friday 10am - 8pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm

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