East Glendalough School, Wicklow, Co. Wicklow

'Rhythmic Resonance' performed by the East Glendalough Ensemble (First – Sixth Year) Post-Primary Finalist in the 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition East Glendalough’s entry was developed through a collaborative and student-led process, which included students in all music classes in the school rather than just the students involved in this competition. Using a Google Form, students shared what the theme meant to them, as well as suggesting songs and arrangement ideas. A strong preference emerged for the presence of Irish music in the entry, as many students felt that Irish and folk traditions are deeply rooted in rhythm. Students chose ‘Man on the Moon’ because they loved this Kingfishr song about the struggles of pursuing your passions – but when analysing it, they discovered its particular relevance to the theme. While the melody is quite simple (for example, verse 1 is within a major third), it is the rhythm that makes the song so engaging and memorable. 'The Caucus Reel' was included to highlight the importance of rhythm in Irish music – further enhanced through an Irish dancer who choreographed her own routine to emphasise and interact with the rhythm. The students were also drawn to 'Sweet Dreams' by the Eurythmics, with its strong, repetitive bass line and rhythmic drive. They agreed that this was a song that they couldn’t help but move or clap along to, but they decided to adapt the lyrics to better reflect the theme. The song begins with body percussion, which the students felt is a universal and instinctive response to rhythm, and the song’s new lyrics focus on how rhythm moves and connects people: ‘Some of it wants to move you, some of it wants you to be moved, some of it wants to drive you, some of it is what brings music to you’. Inclusiveness was also a key focus, and the group not only includes all school years but also a wide range of abilities – in particular students with ASD and ADHD, who feel a real sense of belonging and whose confidence has grown significantly through their participation in the competition. The group also provided a space for some talented performers with other additional needs to shine. Students took on leadership roles throughout the process, with senior students mentoring younger ones. Many junior students were inspired to expand their repertoire and technique, and this extended beyond the competition – for example, 2nd Years learning songs from 5th and 6th Years and then performing them by themselves. Overall, the students developed connections and friendships with students in other years who they would not usually cross paths with, and they all were very supportive of one another, often taking the initiative to work together outside of rehearsal time. East Glendalough School has participated in Music for Schools before. The school was a Finalist in 2024 and was Very Highly Commended in 2025.