Wicklow County Council and Music Network invite Wicklow residents aged 55 and over to take part in an exciting music project.

Photograph: Wicklow Music Teaching Residency in the Drawing Room, Clermont. Photo credit: Marlena Murphy

A shared learning opportunity for County Wicklow residents aged 55 and over, presented by Wicklow County Creative Ireland Team and Music Network.

This is the sixth year the Wicklow County Creative Ireland Team and Music Network have been running a music-learning and ensemble-playing programme for those over 55 in the County.  

The project focuses on encouraging people over the age of 55 to return to playing an instrument and to share the joy of group music-making. Participants will receive free one-to-one and group tuition with the Sundew Trio, renowned musicians Rachael Masterson (violin), Rachel Duffy (harp), and Susan Doyle (flute).

The project will be based at Wicklow County Campus, Clermont House, Newrath, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow and is funded by Creative Ireland. An open call for applications will be circulated.  

What is unique about this residency programme is that the teaching is by an ensemble of musicians from County Wicklow who come together to both teach and encourage shared playing. Two ensembles, the Barn Ensemble and Session 55, have been created by the participants independently of the programme in the last four years. These participants continue to lead their own learning and ensemble playing in a variety of different settings, from Libraries to art venues and nursing homes.  

Between November 2026 and March 2027, participants will receive eight one-to-one instrumental lessons with the relevant musician, in addition to three group lessons with others playing the same instrument. The project will conclude with three large ensemble sessions, where all participants will join together with the professional musicians to play the music learned during the project. As well as playing together, the participants will enjoy three informal coffee sessions which will include chats on wide-ranging musical topics.

Please note, participants must be available on all of the dates listed.

Places are limited to 15. Priority will be given on a first-come-first-served basis, however additional criteria that will be taken into account for selection include availability of teaching slots, geographical spread throughout the county, availability of instruments, playing experience and ability to partake in the full programme.

Project Dates (Nov 2026 - March 2027):

*For individual instrumental lessons 1-8, participants will each be allocated a 40-minute slot within the time frames set out below. Introductory session, group lessons, coffee sessions and ensemble sessions involve all participants for the full duration.

All events will take place at Wicklow County Campus, Clermont House, Newrath, Rathnew, Co. Wicklow.

• Tuesday 3rd Nov, 2 - 3pm - Introductory Session (everyone)
• Tuesday 10th Nov, 10am - 3pm- Individual lesson 1*
• Tuesday 17th Nov, 10am - 3pm- Individual lesson 2*
• Tuesday 24th Nov, 10am - 3pm- Individual lesson 3*
• Tuesday 1st Dec, 10am - 3pm- Individual lesson 4*
• Tuesday 8th Dec, 10 - 11.30am - Group lesson 1 (all instruments in their groups)
• Tuesday 8th Dec, 11.30am - 1pm - Coffee session 1 (everyone)
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• Tuesday 5th Jan, 10am - 3pm - Individual lesson 5*
• Tuesday 12th Jan, 10am - 3pm - Individual lesson 6*
• Tuesday 19nd Jan, 10am - 3pm - Individual lesson 7*
• Tuesday 26th Jan, 10 - 11.30am - Group lesson 2 (all instruments in their groups)
• Tuesday 26th Jan, 11.30am - 1pm - Coffee session 2 (everyone together)
• Tuesday 2th Feb, 10am - 3pm - Individual lesson 8*
• Tuesday 9th Feb, 10 - 11.30am - Group lesson 3 (all instruments in their groups)
• Tuesday 9th Feb, 11.30am - 1pm - Coffee session 3 (everyone)
• Tuesday 16th Feb, 10am - 1pm - Ensemble Session 1 (everyone)
• Tuesday 23rd Feb, 10am - 1pm - Ensemble Session 2 (everyone)
• Tuesday 2nd Mar, 10am - 1pm - Ensemble Session 3 (everyone)

*Please note, dates may be subject to change, with the agreement of artists and participants

The closing date for applications for Making Music with the Sundew Trio: The Wicklow Teaching Residency is Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 2pm.

Applications are available here.