I keep hearing about these camps the fiddlers go to to get wonderful tweakings from master players. I've searched and only found one way up away from me in Washington. Are you aware of others??? Especially that include flute and whistle???
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp in Colorado, Gaelic Roots in Boston, gosh, there's a ton of them. Try going to the links section and look under the regional guides -- most of those sites will have news about local camps and workshops.
I notice Will didn't bother to grace that one with a response, glauber. Thanks for the tip, Zina. I still haven't gotten to where I know all the nooks of the site.
I think Eric Hahn up in Ann Arbor said that Harry Bradley is currently traipsing about the country -- he'd be a lovely one to take some workshops from, katiebythegate. And if you DO come up to Montana for the Will Harmon whateversis, some of us are planning on going to the Butte festival first if Lunasa is giving workshops...
The Augusta Heritage Heritage Irish Week (July 20th to 25th) comes highly recommended. A couple of friends of mine are pressuring me to go, but the bank account says "Nooooo!".
Augusta doesn't have a schedual up for this year, but I imagine it's coming soon.
VALLEY OF THE MOON - it says it's a Scottish Fiddle School, but there's fiddle teachers from around the world. 2003's teachers include: Alasdair Fraser (Scottish), Bruce Molsky (Appalachian), and Elika Frisel (Swedish). There are also several percussion, dance, and song classes if you don't play fiddle. (There's also a fantastic cello class). VOM is located right near Santa Cruz. Visit valleyofthemoon.org Have fun!
For something closer to N'awlins, try the Swannanoa Gathering near Asheville, North Carolina. All-star line up of instructors every year, a variety of musical genres, but always famous for great Irish workshops. I think it happens in July, and they may already be filled up this year, but it's worth a look. http://www.swangathering.org/
As for 'W.H.I.G.M.C.E.,' I admit that I'm looking forward to the contingent from Alpha Centauri camping in my yard again this year. With their 9-digit third hand, they're quite adept at thrumming the lagerphone while playing low and soprano whistles simultaneously (one whistle the conventional way, and the other...well let's just say it involves a body cavity humans don't have, and leave it to your imaginations). And of course the Centuarian repertoire of Welsh harp tunes far surpasses anything found on Earth (after all, they *are* the source, having planted a smattering of the tunes in a young Welsh wild-corgie herder back around 247 B.C.).
Zina - you just took all the fun out of that thought! I say dont sleep or eat and drink heaps and be merry (no doubt the tutors will be doing the same thing)
LOL -- I can't drink too much AND play, bb, myself, at least not any more. But then I'm older than you by quite a bit, I'm thinking. So I suppose that if katiebythegate is young enough to go on the play-drink-play-drink binge, what the heck.
God knows every Irishman I've ever met who drinks can drink me under the table easily. I'm a two drink-limit girl before I go right to sleep on the table or ... wait, I'm married now, I suppose it's just go right to sleep.
Z...is 40 old? Even when I was younger, I was a two-drink only gal...or I'd fall asleep like a stone...never giggly silliness. Now...it's one after a meal only, or I'm a yawning fool--a "gone pecan" for the night. Hard to play flute/whistles when I can't stop yawning...guess that's why so many take up fiddle, bones, & drums.
I went to the Catsills Irish Arts Week in East Durham New York last summer and had a blast. They havan't updated their site for 2003, but check out 2002 to see what it's all about. I highly recommend it. Plenty of flute classes for beg., interm, & advanced.
Like Joyce, I attended the Irish Arts Week in East Durham, NY last summer -- but for only two days, unfortunately. I would recommend it -- it's very exciting and if you don't attend lessons, there's always sessions going on.
Only problem though is the food is ALL pub food and you will gain much weight by the end of the week if you're not careful!
Hi Jonathan - Last year was my first time at East Durham or any Irish music festival. I loved it! My classes were great and I really enjoyed all the music - concerts & sessions. I did a lot of listening as far as sessions are concerned and brought back some mini disks full of wonderful stuff. I like that fact that there was one session a night that was just for the teachers. It was a treat to hear these sessions. I know some folks didn't like this, but there were probably 10 other pubs with open sessions.
Yeah, eating healthy is a challenge in East Durham. I brought my running shoes with good intentions, but never made it out once - I stayed out too late almost every night and had troubles getting to my morning classes, never-mind doing a morning run.....this summer it will only be one afternoon flute class for me....
You also need to spend an additional $100 USD to get a decent microphone for recording which you can also get from Sony. I love my mini disc recorder. Far more expensive than a small tape recorder, but the sound quality is so good that there's really no comparison to the tape-recorder. It's definitey worth laying down the cash! The mini discs look like tiny CD's.
I stayed at the Carriage House B&B where the hostess was a gourmet cook. So the breakfasts were fabulous. I didn't need to eat again until afternoon. Fruit and enery bars worked fine. By dinner I was ready to eat a big meal. The Wayside Inn was decent (ate there like 3 nights). McKenna's wasn't bad - the people were very nice who ran the place. I heard Darby's was very good, but a bit pricey. But it's true, who has time to worry about food with all the other festivities.......
katiebythegate, I'm in your debt. I have officially signed up for Gaelic Roots in Boston in June after speaking with Seamus Connolly himself on the telephone for 15 minutes! What an honor, & a lovely, lovely man. To study with Kevin Crawford & Michael Tubridy is too much of a temptation, it sounds simply incredible, & less intimidating than Willie Week for the 'experienced beginner to intermediate' Yank. Thanks for organizing this post, I don't think I would have learned about it in time since it often fills up by the end of Feb.
I'm glad it's helping someone. I'll have to save my pennies for a bit before I can go to one, but after hearing what everyone has to say about these camps...it's a definite goal! Bookmark the thread and come after to tell everyone all about it.
I think I'm going to Gaelic Roots this year.....my only reservation is sharing a dorm room with a stranger. A few of my music buddies who are also going are men, so that wouldn't work.
Does anyone know how you get matched up with a roommate?...Anyone want to share your experiences? I never went to band camp so this will be new for me.
Well, I'm already pretty familiar with Boston, & I'm pretty sure I have the accomodations locked up already, sorry Joyce! However, if you dial the # on the registration page, Seamus answered the phone himself (well his assistant was gone for the day). I"m sure he'd love to assuage any of your concerns, as he did mine. But looking forward to meeting you, Joyce, as well as any others who may be going!
The Lark in the Morning World Music and Dance Celebration has at least as much Irish music going on as the smaller Irish camps (workshops and sessions), plus all of the rest of the world's music to listen to, dabble in and enjoy.
Plus a great Irish Set dance class (taught with music played by live musicians that know how to play for sets)
Plus two wonderful folk dances every evening with live music (in two separate dance halls). Each evening's dances are from a different country each night. In addition, the Irish Set class holds two evenings of Sets (after the folk dances).
It's in Mendocino County. Northern California, August 1st - 9th, 2003. I've been going for 2 years now, and wouldn't miss it for the world!
Irish Music Camps in the USA
Irish Music Camps in the USA
I keep hearing about these camps the fiddlers go to to get wonderful tweakings from master players. I've searched and only found one way up away from me in Washington. Are you aware of others??? Especially that include flute and whistle???
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp in Colorado, Gaelic Roots in Boston, gosh, there's a ton of them. Try going to the links section and look under the regional guides -- most of those sites will have news about local camps and workshops.
Zina
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Or you can always go to the Will Harmon Intergalactical MegaCamp event.
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by glauber
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Yes, that's very true. Are *you* coming, Glauber, I noticed you haven't said....?
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I notice Will didn't bother to grace that one with a response, glauber. Thanks for the tip, Zina. I still haven't gotten to where I know all the nooks of the site.
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I think Eric Hahn up in Ann Arbor said that Harry Bradley is currently traipsing about the country -- he'd be a lovely one to take some workshops from, katiebythegate. And if you DO come up to Montana for the Will Harmon whateversis, some of us are planning on going to the Butte festival first if Lunasa is giving workshops...
zls
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
W.H.I.G.M.C.E.
I'm not sure, Zina. I'll contact you offline.
g
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by glauber
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
The Augusta Heritage Heritage Irish Week (July 20th to 25th) comes highly recommended. A couple of friends of mine are pressuring me to go, but the bank account says "Nooooo!".
Augusta doesn't have a schedual up for this year, but I imagine it's coming soon.
http://www.augustaheritage.com/
I hear some very big names teach and/or hang-out there just to catch up with friends.
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Caoimghgin
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I dunno...that name for Will's event does have a ring to it...maybe you can start a contest to name Will's shindig. Now as for the prize?
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Yes, that does sound fun!
Personally, I think 'W.H.I.G.M.C.E.' says it all.
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Caoimghgin
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
VALLEY OF THE MOON - it says it's a Scottish Fiddle School, but there's fiddle teachers from around the world. 2003's teachers include: Alasdair Fraser (Scottish), Bruce Molsky (Appalachian), and Elika Frisel (Swedish). There are also several percussion, dance, and song classes if you don't play fiddle. (There's also a fantastic cello class). VOM is located right near Santa Cruz. Visit valleyofthemoon.org Have fun!
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Kallie
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
For something closer to N'awlins, try the Swannanoa Gathering near Asheville, North Carolina. All-star line up of instructors every year, a variety of musical genres, but always famous for great Irish workshops. I think it happens in July, and they may already be filled up this year, but it's worth a look.
http://www.swangathering.org/
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Will Harmon
As for 'W.H.I.G.M.C.E.,' I admit that I'm looking forward to the contingent from Alpha Centauri camping in my yard again this year. With their 9-digit third hand, they're quite adept at thrumming the lagerphone while playing low and soprano whistles simultaneously (one whistle the conventional way, and the other...well let's just say it involves a body cavity humans don't have, and leave it to your imaginations). And of course the Centuarian repertoire of Welsh harp tunes far surpasses anything found on Earth (after all, they *are* the source, having planted a smattering of the tunes in a young Welsh wild-corgie herder back around 247 B.C.).
Sigh...
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Will Harmon
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Ok...I dug around some more. Here's what I've got.
Feb. 21 - 23
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp
http://www.rmfiddle.com/
March 14
Boxwood Winter Weekend, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Chris Norman and others will teach flute. For information call 715.384.6585
March 24
Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp
http://www.fridayharborirish.com/
Catherine McEvoy will teach flute.
June 15 - 21 , 2003
Gaelic Roots, Boston College, Boston, Massachusetts
http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/irish/gr.html
Kevin Crawford and Michael Tubridy will teach flute.
July 6 - 12
Swannanoa Gathering, Ashville, NC
http://www.swangathering.org/sgceltsched.html
July 20 - 25
Augusta Heritage Center--Irish Week
http://www.augustaheritage.com/2003pages/2003schedule.html
August 3- 10 & 10 - 17
Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp
http://www.rmfiddle.com/artists%202003.htm
August 22 - 29
Valley of the Moon Fiddling School
http://valleyofthemoon.org/about.html
October 3, 4, 5
Wind on the Bay, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, USA
http://www.skiphealy.com/frames/fr_windonbay.htm
Skip Healy, John Skelton, and others will teach and perform
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Now...which ones have you attended, and what are they like? Any tips for someone going to one of these for the first time?
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Tips? Sure. Sleep before and after, forget about it during. Keep your mind open. Don't drink too much. Eat enough. Play, play, play.
zls
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Zina - you just took all the fun out of that thought! I say dont sleep or eat and drink heaps and be merry (no doubt the tutors will be doing the same thing)
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by bb
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
LOL -- I can't drink too much AND play, bb, myself, at least not any more. But then I'm older than you by quite a bit, I'm thinking. So I suppose that if katiebythegate is young enough to go on the play-drink-play-drink binge, what the heck.
God knows every Irishman I've ever met who drinks can drink me under the table easily. I'm a two drink-limit girl before I go right to sleep on the table or ... wait, I'm married now, I suppose it's just go right to sleep.
zls
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by Zina Lee
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Z...is 40 old? Even when I was younger, I was a two-drink only gal...or I'd fall asleep like a stone...never giggly silliness. Now...it's one after a meal only, or I'm a yawning fool--a "gone pecan" for the night. Hard to play flute/whistles when I can't stop yawning...guess that's why so many take up fiddle, bones, & drums.
# Posted on January 21st 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I went to the Catsills Irish Arts Week in East Durham New York last summer and had a blast. They havan't updated their site for 2003, but check out 2002 to see what it's all about. I highly recommend it. Plenty of flute classes for beg., interm, & advanced.
http://www.east-durham.org/page1.html
Feel free to email me thru this site if you have any specific questions. I'm going back this summer.
Joyce
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by JMH
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Like Joyce, I attended the Irish Arts Week in East Durham, NY last summer -- but for only two days, unfortunately. I would recommend it -- it's very exciting and if you don't attend lessons, there's always sessions going on.
Only problem though is the food is ALL pub food and you will gain much weight by the end of the week if you're not careful!
What did you think of it last year, Joyce?
*Jonathan*
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by j.hohl.kennedy
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
No pubs here...so what the heck is "pub food"?
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Hi Jonathan - Last year was my first time at East Durham or any Irish music festival. I loved it! My classes were great and I really enjoyed all the music - concerts & sessions. I did a lot of listening as far as sessions are concerned and brought back some mini disks full of wonderful stuff. I like that fact that there was one session a night that was just for the teachers. It was a treat to hear these sessions. I know some folks didn't like this, but there were probably 10 other pubs with open sessions.
Yeah, eating healthy is a challenge in East Durham. I brought my running shoes with good intentions, but never made it out once - I stayed out too late almost every night and had troubles getting to my morning classes, never-mind doing a morning run.....this summer it will only be one afternoon flute class for me....
Joyce
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by JMH
Pub food
Burguers and fries (healthy stuff).
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by glauber
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Ok...now for another ques...what is a mini-disk? I still record on cassettes...mini and the older types.
# Posted on January 22nd 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Katiebythegate,
Here's what I have:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=NCKMuiOAfeqMpB2vzIeGsWyNIomy36_cXCw=?ProductID=o6YKC0%2eNyMEAAADyE3LHl%2eBb
You also need to spend an additional $100 USD to get a decent microphone for recording which you can also get from Sony. I love my mini disc recorder. Far more expensive than a small tape recorder, but the sound quality is so good that there's really no comparison to the tape-recorder. It's definitey worth laying down the cash! The mini discs look like tiny CD's.
Joyce
# Posted on January 23rd 2003 by JMH
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
If you click on the box for accessories towards the bottom it will show some microphones. I got the one for $99 USD.
# Posted on January 23rd 2003 by JMH
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA--MD Recorder
Comparison shopping:
http://www.bizrate.com/marketplace/search/search.xpml?cat_id=11510000&keyword=md+recorder&de_id=211&mkt_id=851576&url_id=62788&rf=ldi
# Posted on January 23rd 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I
# Posted on January 23rd 2003 by Zhenya
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I stayed at the Carriage House B&B where the hostess was a gourmet cook. So the breakfasts were fabulous. I didn't need to eat again until afternoon. Fruit and enery bars worked fine. By dinner I was ready to eat a big meal. The Wayside Inn was decent (ate there like 3 nights). McKenna's wasn't bad - the people were very nice who ran the place. I heard Darby's was very good, but a bit pricey. But it's true, who has time to worry about food with all the other festivities.......
# Posted on January 23rd 2003 by JMH
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
katiebythegate, I'm in your debt. I have officially signed up for Gaelic Roots in Boston in June after speaking with Seamus Connolly himself on the telephone for 15 minutes! What an honor, & a lovely, lovely man. To study with Kevin Crawford & Michael Tubridy is too much of a temptation, it sounds simply incredible, & less intimidating than Willie Week for the 'experienced beginner to intermediate' Yank. Thanks for organizing this post, I don't think I would have learned about it in time since it often fills up by the end of Feb.
# Posted on January 24th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I'm glad it's helping someone. I'll have to save my pennies for a bit before I can go to one, but after hearing what everyone has to say about these camps...it's a definite goal! Bookmark the thread and come after to tell everyone all about it.
# Posted on January 24th 2003 by katiebythegate
Anyone gone to Gaelic Roots already? I'm sure emily would love tips on where to stay, what it's like...lol...and where to eat.
# Posted on January 24th 2003 by katiebythegate
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
I think I'm going to Gaelic Roots this year.....my only reservation is sharing a dorm room with a stranger. A few of my music buddies who are also going are men, so that wouldn't work.
Does anyone know how you get matched up with a roommate?...Anyone want to share your experiences? I never went to band camp so this will be new for me.
Joyce
# Posted on January 24th 2003 by JMH
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
Well, I'm already pretty familiar with Boston, & I'm pretty sure I have the accomodations locked up already, sorry Joyce! However, if you dial the # on the registration page, Seamus answered the phone himself (well his assistant was gone for the day). I"m sure he'd love to assuage any of your concerns, as he did mine. But looking forward to meeting you, Joyce, as well as any others who may be going!
# Posted on January 24th 2003 by emily_bmore
Re: Irish Music Camps in the USA
The Lark in the Morning World Music and Dance Celebration has at least as much Irish music going on as the smaller Irish camps (workshops and sessions), plus all of the rest of the world's music to listen to, dabble in and enjoy.
Plus a great Irish Set dance class (taught with music played by live musicians that know how to play for sets)
Plus two wonderful folk dances every evening with live music (in two separate dance halls). Each evening's dances are from a different country each night. In addition, the Irish Set class holds two evenings of Sets (after the folk dances).
It's in Mendocino County. Northern California, August 1st - 9th, 2003. I've been going for 2 years now, and wouldn't miss it for the world!
http://www.larkcamp.com
Bob
# Posted on January 28th 2003 by Laughtonb