This practical CPD webinar supports primary teachers to teach music through simple, engaging songs aligned with Department of Education priorities. Teachers will learn how musical skills develop naturally through singing, while nurturing children’s creativity, self-expression, and artistic engagement. The course demonstrates how simple songs can be used to explore key musical concepts from the new Primary Music Curriculum—such as pulse, tempo, rhythm, pitch, dynamics, timbre, texture, and structure—while encouraging children to use their bodies and senses as instruments.

It also highlights ways to foster collective singing, emotional understanding, and cultural awareness, with a strong emphasis on Irish musical heritage alongside songs from other cultures.

Bio: Betty Fitzgerald

- Master’s in Education (Music), from Trinity College Dublin (2021). Dissertation title “The Design and Evaluation of a Music Programme for the Continuing Professional Development of Primary School Teachers”- Created a doable programme to show teachers how to teach basic tin whistle – even if they have no previous musical experience of teaching music/tin whistle. Intention was to improve teacher’s confidence to teach tin whistle

- 9 years as a musicianship lecturer (all levels - 4-year-olds to 4th year BMus Degree Students), in MTU Cork School of Music

- 20 years’ experience as a visiting music teacher to 10 primary schools teaching tin whistle, recorder, musicianship skills following the primary school curriculum requirements

- 35+ years’ experience as a choral director, piano teacher, and accompanist

- Founder and musical director of Cór Geal, a highly successful 4-part choir, approximately 55 members See website for details - https://corgealchoir.ie/about/

- Certified life coach and motivational speaker, integrating confidence-building strategies, creator and delivery of on-line life-skills programmes and CPD music programmes for schools