Supporting singing in Irish primary schools: an evaluation of the YouthSing Ireland pilot project

This research paper examines the lived experiences of key stakeholders in a pilot project developed to support and promote singing in Irish primary schools. ‘YouthSing Ireland’ is an initiative of Sing Ireland, the association responsible for the development and promotion of group singing in Ireland. The study examines the role of the YouthSing Ireland pilot in supplementing existing provision for singing in primary schools. It employed qualitative research methods including semi-structured interviews and focus groups to collect data which was then submitted to thematic analysis, distilling the feedback that teachers and children took from their involvement in the project. Findings reveal a strongly positive reception of Sing Ireland’s initiative, against a background of uneven provision of music education in the primary school sector, largely dependent on the skills of individual teachers with a personal interest in the subject. Data from interviews and focus groups also reflect the high value that teachers and children place on interactions with music professionals and a desire for ongoing collaboration. The study concludes by noting the potential contribution of the research data to further investigation of musical engagement experiences, and models of structural compensation in music education delivery in Ireland and beyond.