I find myself, surprisingly and without the experience, in a decision making position regarding a regional Celtic festival and would appreciate advice on the artist roster. Here are the considerations:
This is only the 4th year of the festival
The festival is for four days in late June on Cape Cod (80 miles from Boston, Massachusetts)
There is an existing Cape Breton connection
The Canadian government is likely to help with expenses for the “lesser known” Canadian artists
Our organization is comfortable with up to USD 25,000 in overall expenses
In the best year of the festival we had 60 workshop participants
Each artist (each member of a group) would be expected to conduct up to four two-hour workshops, participate in a number of sessions, perform as and individual or with their group, and perform in a masters concert.
Below is the tentative line-up:
Beolach
Wendy MacIsaac Fiddle/Piano/Step
Mairi Rankin Fiddle
Ryan J. MacNeil Pipes/Whistles
Mac Morin Piano/Step
Patrick Gillis Guitar
The Boston Edge
John McGann Mandolin
Joe Derrane Button Accordion
Seamus Connolly Fiddle
Liz Carroll & John Doyle
Liz Carroll Fiddle
John Doyle Guitar
Mance Grady Bodhran
Kimberly Fraser, Troy MacGillivray, & Dave MacIsaac
Kimberly Fraser Fiddle
Troy MacGillivray Fiddle/Piano
Dave MacIsaac Guitar
The above artists would be joined by a number of lesser known, local musicians, dancers, and actors.
How compelling is this roster? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, particularly,
Would you:
Be willing to pay $40 (much less for a package deal) for a single two hour workshop for these artists?
Be willing to pay $20 (much less for a package deal) to see each of these groups in a concert or session setting?
Travel 100 miles to see or participate in this festival?
Again, Thanks for any advice on the above or general advice on running a festival.
I saw / heard John Doyle at Swannanoa's Celtic Week this past summer, and Beolach, Kimberly Fraser, Troy MacGillivray, and Dave MacIsaac last year at Cape Breton Island's Celtic Colours Festival. All are outstanding musicians, and would be worth the travel to hear them in concert and/or take workshops from any of them if that's what you love doing.
"Be willing to pay $40 (much less for a package deal) for a single two hour workshop for these artists?"
No. When I go to a festival I expect to pay $40 to get onto the grounds for the day, and that's it, all concerts and workshops included.
For $40 I'd expect a private one hour lesson.
Speaking of which, entirely off topic, earlier this year while I was doing a bit of busking a woman walked up to me and said, "Hey, you're not too bad. Too bad we aren't in Chicago. My sister could probably help you out," and then she walked off.
It was some minutes after she had disappeared that I suddenly realized how much she looked like Liz Carroll.
per my eariler email to you...and speaking of Liz Carroll...
In addition to Bohola (great musicians who can also teach well) you might consdier Trian for the same reason. All have been at the Catskills Irish Arts week, and are a joy to have around as musicians and teachers.
mjct: Nothing is set in stone yet but I think we are trying to put together an all inclusive package (3 nights hotel, 2 meals a day, and entrance to all events for under $400).
KFG: I understand where you are coming from and some things that you wrote made me realize that I should clarify a little. This isn’t in your typical summer festival format; it’s more like a mini Celtic Colours. About 50% of the events (including workshops) will be held at a centrally located college. The other events would be held in pubs and small halls throughout the region.
The way I presented the prices may be misleading too. One of our sponsors is a hotel that will give us very good rates to the point where if you went with the three day package deal the music portion would come out to about $50 a day. The $40 per two-hour group workshop in an a-la-carte scenario might be a little high, but I wonder where you are located. In this area the going rate for lessons is about $30 to $40 an hour from semi-professional musicians. I believe that John McGann, who we are hoping to get, charges $75 an hour for private lessons.
Farquharson Whistler: I’ll PM you regarding your email etc. Thanks.
"About 50% of the events (including workshops) will be held at a centrally located college. The other events would be held in pubs and small halls throughout the region."
One wrist band covers all.
"I believe that John McGann, who we are hoping to get, charges $75 an hour for private lessons."
I get $50, but not at a festival. Are you not already paying him to be there? One of the points of a festival is to create better deals for everybody.
Yes, one wrist band covers all if you choose the package deal but people could still by tickets for individual events/workshops
And, I hear you about the workshop costs and I will put it to the board that we should try to get the price of workshops down.
I'm new at this and your post got me to thinking about workshops AND private lessons. Do you think people would be willing to pay a fee above and beyond the festival cost for private instruction?
>I'm new at this and your post got me to thinking about workshops AND private lessons.
>Do you think people would be willing to pay a fee above and beyond the festival cost for private instruction?
That's not unheard of. In fact it's standard practice at most tionols.
i think $40 is way too much for workshops. tommy peoples used to charge less than that for private lessons. he was undercharging, given how good he is, but the point stands. i think $20 would be more reasonable for a workshop.
$20 is reasonable for a concert seeing them all. For a session setting it's a bit different. Would people pay to be able to play with them or what? that's a bit odd to have people paying to play with musicians like that. it makes more sense to have an entrance fee of whatever, and have sessions be happening/ available, much as Gaelic Roots used to do, if you ever went to that. i also feel like paying to watch sessions (if that's what you were suggesting) makes it a bit too much like a concert and a bit too little like a session.
do you think you'd be able to convince the musicians to give private lessons? that potentially takes up a lot of time and creates a lot more work for them. i feel like festival's are supposed to be a bit more social than private lessons allow for anyway.
I know what you mean about paying for sessions. Last year, when I was not involved in organization there were formal sessions.
The first was a regular weekly session with the addition of four of the hired musicians. This was a free event
The second was a dinner session. You had to buy a ticket that included dinner to get in the door and this did include the unpaid musicians. It was a little off putting for some of the local musicians which was a shame, but enough came to make it a success. It also generated a lot of income for the festival which in years past lost money. Something to note is that the festival is put on by a non-profit which would ideally raise some funds to promote Celtic culture in the local schools.
The third was a closed session because of space restraints. It was on a small boat for a sunset cruise. The unpaid musicians had to sign up early to get into this one. There were about nine musicians and 25 guests. This was lots of fun for the hired musicians, local musicians, and paying guests. The only problem was how quickly the spray of salt water took all the rosin off my bow.
The fourth was a post pub concert session run by some of the hired musicians. This concert and session was free to all.
All of the above, even the dinner session and boat ride, really did have a session feel rather than a concert feel.
I was expecting a few more post-concert sessions but the guest artists opted out.
We are thinking of doing something similar this year with the addition of a day time session at the college where concerts, workshops, and cultural fair will be held on the Saturday. The idea is that when the guest artists or participants have a free half hour they can sit in.
How does this scenario sit with you? Do you still have reservations?
Also, we are considering splitting up the available guest artists on the night before the opening night, and doing two different sessions about 30 miles apart. We are wondering if that would be worthwhile. We’d like to do it so that we more evenly cover the region geographically with events.
Festival line-up advice
Festival line-up advice
I find myself, surprisingly and without the experience, in a decision making position regarding a regional Celtic festival and would appreciate advice on the artist roster. Here are the considerations:
This is only the 4th year of the festival
The festival is for four days in late June on Cape Cod (80 miles from Boston, Massachusetts)
There is an existing Cape Breton connection
The Canadian government is likely to help with expenses for the “lesser known” Canadian artists
Our organization is comfortable with up to USD 25,000 in overall expenses
In the best year of the festival we had 60 workshop participants
Each artist (each member of a group) would be expected to conduct up to four two-hour workshops, participate in a number of sessions, perform as and individual or with their group, and perform in a masters concert.
Below is the tentative line-up:
Beolach
Wendy MacIsaac Fiddle/Piano/Step
Mairi Rankin Fiddle
Ryan J. MacNeil Pipes/Whistles
Mac Morin Piano/Step
Patrick Gillis Guitar
The Boston Edge
John McGann Mandolin
Joe Derrane Button Accordion
Seamus Connolly Fiddle
Liz Carroll & John Doyle
Liz Carroll Fiddle
John Doyle Guitar
Mance Grady Bodhran
Kimberly Fraser, Troy MacGillivray, & Dave MacIsaac
Kimberly Fraser Fiddle
Troy MacGillivray Fiddle/Piano
Dave MacIsaac Guitar
The above artists would be joined by a number of lesser known, local musicians, dancers, and actors.
How compelling is this roster? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, particularly,
Would you:
Be willing to pay $40 (much less for a package deal) for a single two hour workshop for these artists?
Be willing to pay $20 (much less for a package deal) to see each of these groups in a concert or session setting?
Travel 100 miles to see or participate in this festival?
Again, Thanks for any advice on the above or general advice on running a festival.
Clayton
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Festival line-up advice
I saw / heard John Doyle at Swannanoa's Celtic Week this past summer, and Beolach, Kimberly Fraser, Troy MacGillivray, and Dave MacIsaac last year at Cape Breton Island's Celtic Colours Festival. All are outstanding musicians, and would be worth the travel to hear them in concert and/or take workshops from any of them if that's what you love doing.
What would be in the "package" deals?
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by mjct
Re: Festival line-up advice
"Be willing to pay $40 (much less for a package deal) for a single two hour workshop for these artists?"
No. When I go to a festival I expect to pay $40 to get onto the grounds for the day, and that's it, all concerts and workshops included.
For $40 I'd expect a private one hour lesson.
Speaking of which, entirely off topic, earlier this year while I was doing a bit of busking a woman walked up to me and said, "Hey, you're not too bad. Too bad we aren't in Chicago. My sister could probably help you out," and then she walked off.
It was some minutes after she had disappeared that I suddenly realized how much she looked like Liz Carroll.
KFG
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by KFG
Re: Festival line-up advice
per my eariler email to you...and speaking of Liz Carroll...
In addition to Bohola (great musicians who can also teach well) you might consdier Trian for the same reason. All have been at the Catskills Irish Arts week, and are a joy to have around as musicians and teachers.
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by farquharson whistler
Re: Festival line-up advice
Thanks for the thoughts—please keep them coming.
mjct: Nothing is set in stone yet but I think we are trying to put together an all inclusive package (3 nights hotel, 2 meals a day, and entrance to all events for under $400).
KFG: I understand where you are coming from and some things that you wrote made me realize that I should clarify a little. This isn’t in your typical summer festival format; it’s more like a mini Celtic Colours. About 50% of the events (including workshops) will be held at a centrally located college. The other events would be held in pubs and small halls throughout the region.
The way I presented the prices may be misleading too. One of our sponsors is a hotel that will give us very good rates to the point where if you went with the three day package deal the music portion would come out to about $50 a day. The $40 per two-hour group workshop in an a-la-carte scenario might be a little high, but I wonder where you are located. In this area the going rate for lessons is about $30 to $40 an hour from semi-professional musicians. I believe that John McGann, who we are hoping to get, charges $75 an hour for private lessons.
Farquharson Whistler: I’ll PM you regarding your email etc. Thanks.
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Festival line-up advice
"About 50% of the events (including workshops) will be held at a centrally located college. The other events would be held in pubs and small halls throughout the region."
One wrist band covers all.
"I believe that John McGann, who we are hoping to get, charges $75 an hour for private lessons."
I get $50, but not at a festival. Are you not already paying him to be there? One of the points of a festival is to create better deals for everybody.
Just tellin' ya what I'm willin'.
KFG
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by KFG
Re: Festival line-up advice
KFG
Yes, one wrist band covers all if you choose the package deal but people could still by tickets for individual events/workshops
And, I hear you about the workshop costs and I will put it to the board that we should try to get the price of workshops down.
I'm new at this and your post got me to thinking about workshops AND private lessons. Do you think people would be willing to pay a fee above and beyond the festival cost for private instruction?
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by iampeterfonda
Re: Festival line-up advice
>I'm new at this and your post got me to thinking about workshops AND private lessons.
>Do you think people would be willing to pay a fee above and beyond the festival cost for private instruction?
That's not unheard of. In fact it's standard practice at most tionols.
# Posted on December 21st 2005 by _Steph_
Re: Festival line-up advice
i think $40 is way too much for workshops. tommy peoples used to charge less than that for private lessons. he was undercharging, given how good he is, but the point stands. i think $20 would be more reasonable for a workshop.
$20 is reasonable for a concert seeing them all. For a session setting it's a bit different. Would people pay to be able to play with them or what? that's a bit odd to have people paying to play with musicians like that. it makes more sense to have an entrance fee of whatever, and have sessions be happening/ available, much as Gaelic Roots used to do, if you ever went to that. i also feel like paying to watch sessions (if that's what you were suggesting) makes it a bit too much like a concert and a bit too little like a session.
do you think you'd be able to convince the musicians to give private lessons? that potentially takes up a lot of time and creates a lot more work for them. i feel like festival's are supposed to be a bit more social than private lessons allow for anyway.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by heth
Re: Festival line-up advice
I know what you mean about paying for sessions. Last year, when I was not involved in organization there were formal sessions.
The first was a regular weekly session with the addition of four of the hired musicians. This was a free event
The second was a dinner session. You had to buy a ticket that included dinner to get in the door and this did include the unpaid musicians. It was a little off putting for some of the local musicians which was a shame, but enough came to make it a success. It also generated a lot of income for the festival which in years past lost money. Something to note is that the festival is put on by a non-profit which would ideally raise some funds to promote Celtic culture in the local schools.
The third was a closed session because of space restraints. It was on a small boat for a sunset cruise. The unpaid musicians had to sign up early to get into this one. There were about nine musicians and 25 guests. This was lots of fun for the hired musicians, local musicians, and paying guests. The only problem was how quickly the spray of salt water took all the rosin off my bow.
The fourth was a post pub concert session run by some of the hired musicians. This concert and session was free to all.
All of the above, even the dinner session and boat ride, really did have a session feel rather than a concert feel.
I was expecting a few more post-concert sessions but the guest artists opted out.
We are thinking of doing something similar this year with the addition of a day time session at the college where concerts, workshops, and cultural fair will be held on the Saturday. The idea is that when the guest artists or participants have a free half hour they can sit in.
How does this scenario sit with you? Do you still have reservations?
Also, we are considering splitting up the available guest artists on the night before the opening night, and doing two different sessions about 30 miles apart. We are wondering if that would be worthwhile. We’d like to do it so that we more evenly cover the region geographically with events.
# Posted on December 22nd 2005 by iampeterfonda