The Leaving Certificate permits students to develop the skills they have acquired in Junior Certificate while balancing the areas of theory, practical and listening. Students at Drimnagh Castle can opt for the 50% Practical which supports their playing ability while also developing the exciting area of music technology. The 50% Practical Option also allows students to be examined in areas of practical ability where they have spent a great deal of time and hard work in preparation. The areas for practical chosen by the students reveal much of their own personal preferences in music – piano, classical guitar, acoustic & electric guitar, flute, oboe, mandolin, drums or singing.

At Leaving Certificate students develop their theoretical skills in harmony and melody composition. These questions present a challenge for students who are used to composing a four bar melody in Junior Certificate while enhancing their skills by linking the study of theory to the set works of the great composers. This is accomplished through the study of a Course A: Works by Bach, Tchaikovsky, Barry and Queen OR Course B: Works by Berlioz, Mozart, The Beatles and Deane. This is further enhanced by further development of students’ aural skills in the study of instrumental and composition techniques.