OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS ONCE AGAIN FOR SCHOOLS' MUSICAL TALENT!

We are delighted to announce the 2026 Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools Competition. Primary and post-primary school music groups are invited to compete for the chance to perform on stage in the National Concert Hall in a special gala event that will be streamed live by RTÉ lyric fm.

"There is no other competition like it. Our children have taken on a new air of confidence and belief. Playing as a group develops so much more than musical abilities – responsibility, teamwork, a sense of belonging and partnership. The support and buy-in from pupils and parents alike from the very first day really helped us to achieve something very special. It has lifted the school immensely, and the level of goodwill in the community is palpable." – Orla McNamara Gaelscoil Aonach Urmhumhan, Co. Thiobraid Áran

Since the Music for Schools Competition was founded in 2011, this non-profit nationwide event has been supporting young musicians and music education in Irish schools; celebrating music as a cornerstone of Irish education; and promoting confidence, creativity and collaboration from an early age. The Competition is open to all primary and post-primary schools in the Republic of Ireland, and hundreds of schools from all 26 counties have participated in previous years.

This year, music groups of between 8 and up to 40 members formed by schools will work together to produce a piece or song in response to the year's Competition theme, 'Rhythm Rules!’

Groups can be made up of any combination of instrumentalists and singers that schools choose, and all music genres are welcome. (Past entries have included classical, Irish traditional, jazz, pop, rock, rap and folk.) Schools are also encouraged to promote diversity and inclusiveness in their groups.

Twelve Finalist groups (six primary and six post-primary) will be selected to perform before their peers and a distinguished panel of adjudicators in the National Concert Hall on 18 May 2026 and six winning groups (three primary and three postprimary) will win awards totalling €7,000 worth of vouchers for musical instruments and equipment from Waltons Music The entire concert will be streamed live by RTÉ lyric fm and can be watched from anywhere in Ireland or around the world.

Post primary school students performing singing and double bass for the Waltons RTÉ lyric fm Music for Schools competition
Photo | Eoin O'Mahony

Past Finalist Concert adjudicators include David Brophy, Zoë Conway, Ellen Cranitch, Julie Feeney, Aedín Gormley, Evelyn Grant, Lisa Hannigan, Deborah Kelleher, Dónal Lunny, Gwen Moore, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Bill Whelan.

"Behind the facts and figures relating to music education in Ireland, there lies an indisputable truth, thrillingly exemplified on the stage of the National Concert Hall during the Music for Schools Competition Finalists Concert: the depth of musical creativity among our young people is simply astonishing." – David Brophy Conductor, Music Educator, Past Adjudicator

"It was so heartening to see the beautiful stage of the National Concert Hall inspire this generation of talented musicians, who no doubt will remember this day for the rest of their lives, as will all of us who were lucky enough to see it." – Lisa Hannigan Singer-Songwriter, Musician, Composer, Past Adjudicator

"…an enormous boost to the music of this island that will repay us for many years to come." – Dónal Lunny Musician, Composer, Past Adjudicator

"…truly music without boundaries and a credit to all involved." – Bill Whelan Composer, Musician, Past Adjudicato

The entry deadline this school year is Friday, 20 March 2026, this year's twelve Finalists will be announced on RTÉ lyric fm on Wednesday, 15 April, and the Finalists Concert will take place on Monday, 18 May