Engagement with the Arts is always encouraged in St Louis High School. Every two years an Arts Festival is held where artists from various disciplines visit the school to provide talks, workshops and demonstrations for the girls. Previous visitors have included Alan Titley, Aine Ni Ghlinn, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Aidan Matthews, Siobhan Parkinson, Denise Deegan, John Waters and Roisin Ingle. Workshops in creative writing, film, music, drama, dance, drumming, poetry, animation and jewellery to name but a few are held. Concerts are also held with a band providing lively entertainment at the end of the Arts Festival.
Writers visit our lovely school library on an annual basis to share their writing with the students.
Music is very much part of the St Louis tradition. Every year, various concerts and performances are held in St Louis High School. Extra-curricular music lessons are also provided during the year.
St. Louis High School celebrated 100 years of education during the year 2013-2014. Music featured prominently in these celebrations. A Centenary Concert was held in December 2013. For this special occasion, a Past Pupil and Friends of St Louis Choir and Orchestra was established to perform Vivaldi’s Gloria. The junior and senior choirs of St. Louis High School also featured prominently in this concert, singing a beautiful selection of Christmas carols. The music at the Centenary School Mass was led by the senior and first year choirs and instrumental group.
As part of the St. Louis Sisters’ 150 year celebrations of their arrival in Ireland, St Louis High School choir and instrumentalists recorded a CD in our beautiful arts venue – Cuisle – St Louis Arts and Cultural Centre.
A Past-Pupil Choir was established during the 2013-2014 year. The aim is that this will continue – ‘popping up’ on occasion to prepare for a concert or event.
A strong choral tradition exists in the school. Cross-Border choral links were established in the year 2000 with Hunterhouse College, Belfast. Since then joint performances have been staged in both Dublin and Belfast of the works Gloria – Vivaldi, Adiemus- Karl Jenkins, Mass for Peace, Mass for the Armed Man- Karl Jenkins and selection of music from the Musicals. Our last collaboration was held in March 2013.
A performance of The Messiah – Handel was presented in January 2006 in association with St Louis Secondary School Carrickmacross in the Church of the Three Patrons, Rathgar. All soloists and instrumentalists had St Louis School connections. This performance was a fabulous celebration of the St Louis Music Tradition.
All first-year students participate in choral class as part of their main curriculum timetable. Over the past few years, the first years perform as part of our annual Spring Concert.
The Junior Choir rehearses at lunchtime once a week. Students from 1st to 3rd year are welcome in the group. In the Senior Cycle years, a choral option is provided for students to develop their love of choral singing.
Cantairí Óga Atha Cliath is a choir that was set up in 1960s. It is made up of pupils from St Louis Primary and Secondary school as well as past pupils. They take part in festivals all over Europe and have had many successes.
As part of our choral tradition, we usually participate in Carol Singing for different charities in the run up to Christmas. We raise much-needed funds for charities such as the St Vincent de Paul and Simon Community.
There is a very strong music tradition in St. Louis High School. Mainstream curriculum music is provided at both Junior and Leaving Certificate at higher and ordinary levels. Leaving Certificate Music Technology option is also offered as part of the senior-cycle music programme. In Transition Year a Performing Arts module is offered.
Every second year a musical is staged in the school in association with St Mary’s College, Rathmines. A very high standard is realised in these productions and students work with a professional production team and orchestra. Our 2022 production was Little Shop of Horrors which was hosted by St Mary’s. Previous productions include: The Sound of Music, The Wiz, The Hot Mikado, Oklahoma, Little Mary Sunshine, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys ‘n Dolls, Calamity Jane, Annie Get Your Gun, Oliver, High School Musical, Les Miserables – school edition and The Wizard of Oz. To view images from some of these productions please go to our Gallery.
Instrumental and choral performances happen on many occasions during the school year e.g. liturgical celebrations, variety shows, open evenings, concerts and lunchtime recitals. Students with musical talents are encouraged to participate in all events to develop their skills, build confidence and share their talents with the school community.
Charleville Road
Rathmines, Dublin 6
D06 F860
