Gallery: Dunboyne music students hit the high notes at The Grand Social in Dublin

By Jayde G Forde

The Music Course at Dunboyne College of Further Education (DCFE) has come a long way since it started over a decade ago. Starting as just a small one-year level 5 foundation course to help students get into university, over the past couple years the college has been pushing to make it grow into something that's more industry relevant.

Robert Kelly, Head of Music and Sound at DCFE said “Rather than just like a taste of course or a stepping stone to go into classical or traditional music courses, it is now industry focused.”

The course has developed into a two-year Level 6 Higher National Diploma which incorporates songwriting, performance and artist development to get people to go straight into industry. Graduates of the HND in Artist Development for Musicians can go straight into performing and working in the industry as session musicians, while also having the option to do a degree and step into universities and advanced entry.

First year music students showcased their talents at The Grand Social in Dublin on Monday 24th, in addition to the HND Music, first year HND Sound Engineering students helped with recording audio for footage of the night, as well as setting up the stage and helping the in-house engineers with the production. First and second-year Film and Media students from the college also got involved by filming all the student's performances throughout the night.

DCFE students have been performing in The Grand Social for 5 years now creating a great opportunity to play in Dublin city centre, creating a real feel for performing in Dublin.

“I think one of the best quotes that stuck with me, was from a student a few years ago who said, they saw their favourite band play the stage at The Grand Social a week before they were on stage to performing their own music, that's the experience that the students are getting is real industry focus,” said Robert Kelly.

Overall, the night had an amazing atmosphere with hard work shown and appreciated by all attending, all songs performed on the night were original compositions, with a total of 25 original songs over the course of a two-hour set with all students only meeting in September last.