In 2012, the Parents Association funded the establishment of a violin programme with additional top-up funding achieved through the Bank of Ireland Give Together Fund.
The programme, which has gone from strength to strength each year, offers violin classes on an optional basis to pupils from Senior Infants. A violin is rented from the school and each boy and girl who chooses to be part of the programme attends group classes every Wednesday.
The tutor for this violin programme is John Davidson.
John teaches in the Laois School of Music, conducting and directing the Orchestra there. John, himself, has over 20 years of professional experience performing, composing and touring with bands,theatre and dance companies. He has written scores for plays and film, and recorded over 3 albums worth of original world, folk, country and pop music.
The violin students participate in school events across the year including Christmas concerts, school celebrations such as Raising of Green and Active Flag ceremonies and they give recitals at the end of term.
An innovative aspect of the programme in Timahoe NS is the adult group who began in 2012 and which consists of parents who are also learning the instrument. The parents have progressed alongside their own children and have also performed at school events and for visiting dignatories eg Dec 2015 for the Minister for Education, Ms Jan O'Sullivan.