ICO Schools
From the classroom to the concert hall
We believe that music is for everyone. That is why we’re working to take music out of the concert hall and into the local community, inspiring children to try music for themselves, and supporting them on their journey from first lesson to public performance.
ICO Schools (formerly known as Sing Out With Strings) is a ground-breaking initiative offering primary and secondary school children in Limerick the chance to learn music for free.
I’m just so glad she had the chance to have these lessons. It was something that was never possible for me or my husband when I was growing up. Nobody that we knew even dreamed about music classes, let alone a cello.
The project has been hailed as a model of social inclusion, offering opportunities for young people, developing key life skills, and providing tangible long-term benefits for participants, their families, and the wider community.
Inspired by El Sistema, the Venezuelan model of music education, ICO Schools (formerly known as Sing Out With Strings) provides primary and secondary school pupils with free singing, song-writing, violin, viola, cello and double bass tuition, harnessing the power of music to develop pupils’ key skills, including concentration, co-ordination, listening and teamwork.
Launched with seed funding from the University of Limerick in 2008, ICO Schools has been hailed as a model of social inclusion, giving thousands of children access to music education, and providing tangible, long-term benefits for participants, their families and the wider community.
The scheme is a cornerstone of our Education and Community work, attracting local and national recognition. With the support of our many generous patrons including the JP McManus Benevolent fund, the scheme has expanded to include holiday sessions, summer camps, choirs and trips. In 2016, thanks to the Musical Capital Scheme, ICO Schools was able to offer entrance to the Royal Irish Academy of Music Cara Award exams for all 5th class children. In 2017, ICO Schools expanded to support children playing string instruments at secondary level.
The success of the project has inspired us to set up the ICO Youth (formerly known as ICOYO) which provides aspiring musicians aged 12 to 18 with the support they need to grow.
For the future, ICO Schools aims to continue to expand, strengthening communities within Limerick and inspiring a new generation of children to discover the transformative power of music.
