The Waltons Music for Schools Competition, which is now in its sixth year, is currently seeking applications from primary and post-primary schools. 

The competition aims to promote the benefits of creative music making for young people and to provide finalists with the opportunity to perform their finished works at a national venue. The theme of this year’s Competition is ‘Music Has No Borders’. Performing groups can choose to interpret this theme in any way they see fit.

In order to apply, schools must submit a video recording of an ensemble piece or song (no more than five minutes long) performed by an instrumental, vocal or mixed group of no more than 40 students, all of whom must be current students at the school. The deadline is 10 March.

The piece or song can be in any musical style (classical, traditional, rock/pop, musical theatre, jazz, world, etc.) and can be existing or original, but it should in some way address the 2017 competition theme. Possible groups include: choir (with or without instrumental accompaniment), instrumental ensemble, band, traditional group, or school musical group. The video must be prepared specifically for the competition – videos of school concerts or other events are not acceptable.

All primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland are eligible to enter.

Each year, the competition awards a total of €10,000 worth of vouchers for musical instruments, accessories, books, music technology or PA equipment from Waltons Music, to be divided among six winning primary and post-primary schools, including two first prizes of €3,000 vouchers.

Last year’s first prize winners were Craanford National School (primary) and Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblayney (post-primary).

Previous adjudicators of the competition include David Brophy, Carl Corcoran, Ellen Cranitch, Julie Feeney, Deborah Kelleher, Dónal Lunny, Gwen Moore, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Bill Whelan.

For further details, visit https://goo.gl/vYxKvO