Music Generation Offaly is proud to present “Rocking December Nights”, an original, not-for-profit Christmas single created by young musicians from St. Philomena’s NS and Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa in Tullamore. Over several months, young people came together to write and record a festive Christmas song that truly captures the magic of the season for them.
Giniúint Ceoil is Ireland’s national music education programme which empowers children and young people through access to and participation in performance music education. Through a national network of local partnerships, Music Generation annually provided access to music reaching over 132,500 children and young people across Ireland in 2024.
Over 370 young people from the two national schools in Tullamore participated in the project under the guidance of their Musician Educators Aoibheann McKnight and Emma Goulding.
The process introduced students to every step of creating a song, from developing a melody, writing lyrics, and recording in the studio, to producing a full music video. Workshops in both schools allowed every child to contribute in a supportive and fun environment.
“The process for writing the song was very difficult. We had to rhyme words and make it fit for the Christmas vibe. I want people to feel very proud of us as a school for creating this song and maybe feel a bit Christmassy after listening to the song!”
William Slater, 6th Class Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa, Tullamore
The final track was released in collaboration with The Irish Independent’s Mistletoe magazine. All proceeds from downloads go directly toward purchasing instruments for Music Generation Offaly helping to empower the next generation of musicians. Speaking on release of the single, Music Generation Music Development Officer Ger Relph said;
“We are so excited to share this original Christmas song. Aoibheann and Emma, our brilliant Musician Educators, teamed up with these very talented young musicians to create a catchy and joyful track that truly celebrates the magic of Christmas. This project was a fantastic team effort and a lovely chance for students from St. Philomena’s NS and Scoil Eoin Phóil to work together. What an amazing experience for the young musicians involved, giving them the chance to create, perform, and be part of something truly special. A big thank you to the staff of both schools for their support, and to St. Mary’s Youth Centre for giving us the space to record and make the magic happen!”
The track is available on Spotify and YouTube Music, can be downloaded from BandCamp and iTunes. Download “Rocking December Nights” today and join us celebrating creativity, community, and the power of music!
Music Generation Offaly is supported locally by lead partners Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and Offaly County Council. Music Generation Offaly is part of Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme with a mission to empower children and young people through access to music. Initiated by Music Network it is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, The Department of Education and Youth and Local Music Education Partnerships.
“Rocking December Nights'” is a special not for profit single written by students from St. Philomena’s NS and Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa in Tullamore, with support from Music Generation Offaly Musician Educators Aoibheann McKnight and Emma Goulding. All proceeds from downloads go directly toward purchasing instruments for Music Generation Offaly helping to empower the next generation of musicians. Download and listen to “Rocking December Nights.”
