A renowned school of music in Ennis is to close it’s doors this summer, after 25 years.
Founded by social activist Fr Harry Bohan and the late Prof. Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Maoin Cheoil an Chláir was opened in 1994 by the then President of Ireland Mary Robinson.
It’s internationally recognised for the integration of traditional music into formal education systems, and became a model for other schools across Ireland and further afield.
Teachers and parents of students have received a letter informing them of the impending closure on May 31st, with falling students numbers and reduced fee income, as well as changing trends in music education being blamed for the decision.
Sinn Féin local election candidate Noeleen Moran is calling on the local authority and the county’s oireachtas members to intervene to prevent the closure.
Chair of the Board of Maoin Cheoil, Dr Sean Conlan has been telling Clare FM’s Fiona Cahill that every effort was made to save the school.
Statement from the Board of Maoin Cheoil
Maoin Cheoil an Chláir, the school that has been bringing the gift of music to students of all ages in Ennis and County Clare since 1994, is regrettably closing its doors at the end of May. Located in Erasmus Smith House on College Road, it was the first music school in Ireland to teach both in the classical and Irish cultural tradition and was based on the community education led values of its founder, the late Dr. Micheál O’Súilleabháin.
Unique as a model of community-based education, it was linked to the recognition and celebration of the cultural richness of Clare not just as home to traditional music but as a community with a cultural confidence which could be shared with other musical and cultural traditions. The concept will continue to evolve and shape the future of music education in the years to come.
Despite a growing interest in music in the intervening years and the significant contribution made by the school, headed up most recently by Hans Boller, the trends and models in music education have been changing particularly in the last 3-5 years. The teaching of music in primary and post-primary schools is at an all new level, the number and range of private teachers has increased, stage and performance schools are offering new choices and music students are learning through the digital world.
‘There is no joy in seeing any school or facility close its doors in the modern age but it is a time of transformation. Music student numbers at Maoin Cheoil an Chláir, that typically had been steady for a number of years had dropped more recently to an unsustainable level. Having explored many options to continue its vision and ensure viability, the Board of the school has reluctantly arrived at the decision to close,’ said Chair of the Board, Dr. Seán Conlan.
Dr. Conlan went on to say, ‘We are very conscious that the school closure may discommode students and their families, teachers and their families, staff and the wider school community and we are endeavouring to make this transition as smooth as possible in so far as possible. We acknowledge the vision of its founders, the work of School Directors, administrators and staff past and present for their committed efforts and goodwill in bringing music education to the community.’
