All Set is a combined programme of traditional dance and tin whistle tunes from the Irish Scots tradition delivered to our school by Mary Fox, Ian Carmicheal and the late Fearghal McConnell. As in previous years we have joined with Ballymena Primary School to avail of this wonderful opportunity. Read on to hear our pupils' reactions to the programme.
Last night (14th March) the All Set project finale took place in the Golf Club. Glenann Primary School and Ballymena Primary School took part in this project. The special guest was John Kennedy a musician, storyteller and a composer. John is from Cullybackey. He played Reels, jigs, polkas and marches. I enjoyed last night because I have made new friends.
When I first heard that we were doing the All Set project I didn't want to do it. On the first day we got into groups of eight and when I met my partner from Ballymena Primary School I thought I was lucky not having to dance with girl. I was really lucky also because my best friend Rosheen was in the group and Emma from P7 as well. I thought Chelsea the girl from Ballymena Primary School looked a bit lonely because she was the only girl from Ballymena so Rosheen and I made friends with her. Then we played a name game. It started with Emma's partner Darren. He said, "I'm Darren and I like dating."
Then I said,"I'm Maria and I like making a mess."
Then Andrew said, "I'm Andrew and I like answering phonecalls."
Then it was Rosheen's turn. She said,"I'm Rosheen and I like running."
Then Johnathan said," I'm Johnathan and I like jogging."
And Chelsea said,"I'm Chelsea and I like chatting."
Then Patrick said, "I'm Patrick and I like playing football."
Then it was Emma. She said, "I'm Emma and I like eating."
Then we learned some rhymes with Ferrghal. They were really fun to do especially because Fearghal is really funny. The next day we met up it was really fun because I made friends with a girl called Nicole. That day we learned to dance. My favourite dance was the Lancers.
During the six weeks we’ve accomplished so much, such as getting more skills at the tin whistle and learning new dances. We learned three tin whistle tunes and three new dances. The three tunes we learned were Matt Hylands, The Spanish Lady and The South Wind. The three dances we learned were The Lancers, The Quadrilles and The Clap Dance. A Frenchman named Duval devised the Lancers. The dance was called The Lancers because a Frenchman called Duval came over to Dublin and taught soldiers called The Lancers the dance. The Quadrilles originated in France and is still danced in places such as Northern Ireland and the Lowlands of Scotland .There are many versions of the dance. The Clap Dance that originated in County Fermanagh is still a popular dance and is danced with men and women and even men themselves.
I thoroughly enjoyed the All Set over the three years in which I took part in. I hope that the rest of the children who will take part in the years to come will enjoy it as much as I did.