Making music with friends is highly encouraged here in the Mercy. All First Years, from complete beginners to advanced, are invited to join both the First Year choir and the School Orchestra. It is not necessary to have chosen Music as an academic subject to participate as these music groups are open to all members of the student population.
Every year-group in the school has its own choir and there are over 220 students in the school-orchestra. Students are timetabled for one class period a week in both Choir and Orchestra.
Every year the school choirs and orchestra sit Royal Irish Academy of Music exams in choral-singing and orchestral-playing, as well as performing in public for religious services and during our Spring Recital.
Since 2016 our Fifth Year Choir have participated in the Awakening Concert which is facilitated by the Tuam Diocese. In 2010 our Whole School Choir appeared on the televised RTE programme “All-Ireland School Choir” and were wonderful ambassadors for the school.In 2011,our orchestra celebrated its centenary and was featured on RTE's "Nationwide ". It is a great source of pride that we have entered a second century of music-making.
The Mercy Orchestra owns over 50 instruments which students can learn to play. There are violins,violas, cellos, double basses, harps,flutes, clarinets,an oboe and a trumpet available for our students to borrow and play.
There are also many opportunities outside of the classroom to participate in music throughout the school. Each year the Fifth Years form a ballad group who perform at the Spring Recital. For those interested in Irish Music Siansa meet at lunch time to learn new pieces and perform at various events throughout the year.
School Opera
The school opera, in partnership with St. Jarlath’s College, is a long standing tradition in the Mercy and one which we love. It is a wonderful extra-curricular activity that promotes self-confidence and team building, as well as providing memorable experiences for all involved. Some of our recent productions include Billy Elliot, Carousel, Singing in the Rain, Me and My Girl,Oliver, West Side Story, Big River, Hot Mikado and Half a Sixpence.