I'm looking for any information on singing workshops, sessions, or any opportunity really to sing traditional music in the Belfast area.
I can sing but am quite nervous and am looking for somewhere to build up my confidence.
If anyone can help that'd be great.
I know Fergie Woods sometimes organises trad and folk singing sessions - he has a website called belfastfolk I think - check it out and contact him, also contact belfast set-dancing & traditional music society - they might know.
Hi, if you ever find yourself up around the Causeway Coast on a Saturday night, you would be welcome to join our 'Ballads & Tunes Session' ... in the Bushmills Inn.
We keep it 50/50 songs & tunes.
Most songs are accompanied ballads, but there are usually a couple of unaccompanied ones too, depending on whose in.
Anyway, here's the Blog which might give you an idea:
Some nice singing in the Fountian Tavern on a Friday nite, can't remember the Ladies name, she's pretty good, I think they encourage the odd sond from the punters..
also singing on a Wed nite out at the session in Mallusk.. shamrock and something or other, again they're quite good..
If you're up for a drive, I believe The Smuggler's Inn session in near the Causeway welcomes singers. Their listing here suggests so and when I spectated a session there once I remember there being a song or two. Ptarmigan brought up another place in the area. Those folks around the Bushmills plant must be fond of song.
S.Farrell, in the Bushmills Inn Session there's usually a core group of six of us, which includes two who would lead songs & two others who sing along with those two, on choruses etc. plus another unaccompanied singer, who would join us most weeks.
However, I'd suggest you PM me before coming over though, just in case, what with this being the quiet time of the year.
As for the Smugglers Inn Jimmy B mentioned, that used to be our session, but we moved down the hill & up market, to the Bushmills Inn. They do have a couple of Guitar singers on a Sat night, but it's not a session & they do use Mics, so it's probably not exactly what you are looking for!
I did not know that. I think it was in 2007 or 2008 when I happened upon the session at Smugglers. Old info then. Is there no sessions at Smugglers anymore then? Not that I get to Antrim often, about every two years to visit my wife's family, but I enjoyed what I had seen at Smugglers, so I'll have to go into Bushmills Inn the next time I'm there.
By far the best hotel (Bushmill) I've ever had the pleasure of staying in..And it was by fault of rain and it being pitch black at 5 in the afternoon. If there was a session that night I would have been even better..
The Belfast Traditional Music Society run singing classes (english language) but you may be too late for this term.
See : http://belfasttrad.com/?page_id=104
Singing Belfast area
Singing Belfast area
I'm looking for any information on singing workshops, sessions, or any opportunity really to sing traditional music in the Belfast area.
I can sing but am quite nervous and am looking for somewhere to build up my confidence.
If anyone can help that'd be great.
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by S.Farrell
Re: Singing Belfast area
I know Fergie Woods sometimes organises trad and folk singing sessions - he has a website called belfastfolk I think - check it out and contact him, also contact belfast set-dancing & traditional music society - they might know.
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by iwerzon
Re: Singing Belfast area
Hi, if you ever find yourself up around the Causeway Coast on a Saturday night, you would be welcome to join our 'Ballads & Tunes Session' ... in the Bushmills Inn.
We keep it 50/50 songs & tunes.
Most songs are accompanied ballads, but there are usually a couple of unaccompanied ones too, depending on whose in.
Anyway, here's the Blog which might give you an idea:
http://scadthebeggars.blogspot.com/
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Ptarmigan
Re: Singing Belfast area
Hi Dick,
That's brilliant thanks.
I live quite near the Glens and the coast area ; i just put belfast as a general area.
Are there many people go?
Also thanks 'iwerzon' - i just looked up the belfast trad society and they seem to have workshops after easter. thanks
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by S.Farrell
Re: Singing Belfast area
Some nice singing in the Fountian Tavern on a Friday nite, can't remember the Ladies name, she's pretty good, I think they encourage the odd sond from the punters..
also singing on a Wed nite out at the session in Mallusk.. shamrock and something or other, again they're quite good..
Have a listen and a chat to start with...
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Andyras1
Re: Singing Belfast area
If you're up for a drive, I believe The Smuggler's Inn session in near the Causeway welcomes singers. Their listing here suggests so and when I spectated a session there once I remember there being a song or two. Ptarmigan brought up another place in the area. Those folks around the Bushmills plant must be fond of song.
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: Singing Belfast area
It's Angela Delaney who often sings at the Friday session in The Fountain.
The Mallusk/Glengormley pub is The Crown & Shamrock.
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Jerry O'Donnell
Re: Singing Belfast area
S.Farrell, in the Bushmills Inn Session there's usually a core group of six of us, which includes two who would lead songs & two others who sing along with those two, on choruses etc. plus another unaccompanied singer, who would join us most weeks.
However, I'd suggest you PM me before coming over though, just in case, what with this being the quiet time of the year.
As for the Smugglers Inn Jimmy B mentioned, that used to be our session, but we moved down the hill & up market, to the Bushmills Inn. They do have a couple of Guitar singers on a Sat night, but it's not a session & they do use Mics, so it's probably not exactly what you are looking for!
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Ptarmigan
Re: Singing Belfast area
I did not know that. I think it was in 2007 or 2008 when I happened upon the session at Smugglers. Old info then. Is there no sessions at Smugglers anymore then? Not that I get to Antrim often, about every two years to visit my wife's family, but I enjoyed what I had seen at Smugglers, so I'll have to go into Bushmills Inn the next time I'm there.
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by Jimmy B
Re: Singing Belfast area
By far the best hotel (Bushmill) I've ever had the pleasure of staying in..And it was by fault of rain and it being pitch black at 5 in the afternoon. If there was a session that night I would have been even better..
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by lamh trom
Re: Singing Belfast area
The Belfast Traditional Music Society run singing classes (english language) but you may be too late for this term.
See : http://belfasttrad.com/?page_id=104
# Posted on February 3rd 2010 by mr_segundus