ICO Schools annual gala show is back from Irish Chamber Orchestra

Irish Chamber Orchestra’s in-school music programme, ICO Schools, returns to University Concert Hall on Wednesday May 13 at 11am for its much-anticipated annual Gala Show.

The performance brings together over four hundred pupils from Le Chéile N.S. and St. Mary’s N.S. in Limerick, celebrating a year of creativity, collaboration, and musical discovery.

Established in 2008 (formerly Sing Out With Strings), ICO Schools has become a vital part of primary education in Limerick schools. Each week, the programme delivers high-quality, curriculum-based music education. Every participating child receives free tuition and their own instrument to take home, supporting not just musical development but also confidence, focus, and a keen sense of achievement.

Since the programme began, over 3,000 children have composed and performed their own music, with many stepping onto stages at leading venues across the city. This year’s Gala Show continues that tradition, featuring a lively blend of original student compositions alongside well-loved favourites. Among the new compositions debuting are I Know How You Feel, Lifted with Energy, Empathy, Abracadabra Chickaboom, Each of Us, and Peter Bob, all woven into a dynamic and engaging performance by the two school orchestras.

Throughout the year, ICO musicians, including violinist Kenneth Rice and bassist Malachy Robinson, have worked side by side with students, providing mentorship and artistic guidance. An ICO Quartet joins the children on stage, adding depth and energy to what promises to be a colourful and uplifting musical showcase.

At its heart, ICO Schools reflects Irish Chamber Orchestra’s commitment to community engagement, using music as a powerful tool to spark imagination, build resilience, and foster a sense of belonging among young people in Limerick.

As always, admission to the Gala Show is free, and audiences are warmly invited to attend. Tickets can be collected at the box office on arrival.