Rhymes, Songs and Themes from Irish Tradition and Folklore

Autumn Workshop with Rhymes, Songs and Themes from Irish Tradition and Folklore We are delighted to announce that our Autumn Workshop will take place on Saturday 14th November 2026. We are excited to be partnering with Newpark Academy of Music and bringing the fun and creativity of Orff-Schulwerk to another venue. Our presenter for the workshop is our very own Elspeth Hayes, Chair of Orff-Schulwerk Association Ireland. Elspeth is a certified Orff Schulwerk practitioner, having completed the American Orff Schulwerk Association’s three levels of teacher training courses at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia and the University of Kentucky. Elspeth has attended workshops in Ireland, the UK, Czech Republic and Greece, and at the Orff-Institute in Salzburg, Austria. Elspeth has presented workshops for Musician Educator training for Music Generation partnerships, and for primary school teaching students through Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. Elspeth is a Musician Educator and Vocalist, practising particularly in the Early Childhood and Primary areas, as well as Vocal Coaching and Community Vocal practice for all ages. For this workshop, we will explore and create through rhymes, songs and themes from Irish tradition and folklore. Participants will experience activities and material which can be brought into their own practice, and we will discuss how they could be adapted to suit different classes and age-groups, and how other sources and themes could be developed into activities using this approach. The workshop is particularly suitable for all teachers and musicians who work in education or community settings with children aged 4 to 10 but will also be invaluable to students, classroom teachers, instrumental teachers and anyone who works creatively with music, movement and arts education with children and young people.