Who all on here are members of COMHALTAS branches and if so would you recommend joining?
I've thought about this several times but
A. The nearest branches are miles away - either East London or North London.
B. Isn't it mostly for kids? Please contradict me if this is not the case.
C. Aren't the sessions quite stilted, or rigidly managed.
D. Aren't they quite cliquey wrt their membership?
As I say, for any of these points, please contradict me if these are not the case.
you could start your own local branch. It most definitely is not all for kids. Our branch has a large adult membership and we have regular sessions which are definitely not stilted or managed in any way. You can check out our website on the Comhaltas.ie website. Go to the Drumshanbo page and have a look at some of our session photos. Lots of fun there and no we are definitely not clique with our membership - its open to all and sundry. Always delighted to get a new member. Yes you should join Comhaltas.
That's great Molly, thanks, and yes, not many kids at all. (Nothing against them mind you - have 2 of my own!) http://comhaltas.ie/locations/detail/drumshanbo/
I won't be starting a new branch round here today. We've just had hailstones - about an inch deep at Peckham Rye, July 3rd!
Any more views, info? I'm quite taken by the idea of starting a branch round here - but I'll get over it.....
As a member of Comhaltas myself, here is what I reckon.
A. The nearest branches are miles away - either East London or North London.
- I'm not close to my local Branch either. I'm about 12 miles away and that's 2 bus journeys (1 hour altogether). Because of the M50 motorway nearby, it means a drive out only takes 20 minutes but then again, I'm too young to drive at the moment.
B. Isn't it mostly for kids? Please contradict me if this is not the case.
- Ok, so I'm a kid then. But there are plenty of adults out there too and I would say that the branch has quite a balanced amount of both adults and kids.
C. Aren't the sessions quite stilted, or rigidly managed.
- It would depend I think. Some sessions would follow the Comhaltas books "Foinn Seisiun" which are fine for expanding a nice repertoire. But I have sessions with the young people who would play more modern and newer compositions (as well as older rare tunes) and we just play in another part of the building.
D. Aren't they quite cliquey wrt their membership?
- Not at all. I've only been a member for about 2 years and came in quite late (well, I was 14 when I joined while everyone else had joined when they were 7 or so). I didn't really understand the dynamic of Comhaltas but soon began to fit in very well. I went to the slow Tuesday night sessions using "Foinn Seisiun" books at the beginning and met the right people down there. Certainly helped my progress with the music. It does help having your branch in the Comhaltas HQ though!!
I don't know what yor nearest branches of Comhaltas are like, (I'm in Co. Cork) but they can vary a lot, one branch near me is well known for being cliquey etc. , the other nearest one does't give this impression at all, and their sessions are much more welcoming.
iIve been in and out of Comhaltas several times and I can echo what cathycook says. Where I come from, Comhaltas tends to take the role of introducing young, and some not so young to the music and dancing as well. I've always felt that the connection to dance is a good discipline for musicians and there aren't many places outside of CCE where that's available.
Also I've been to many countries on tours with our local branch, which is another plus. There are of course many downsides as well, not least the stilted element of performance which is endemic amongst the organisers, hence the fact that I've been in and out several times. ( I can take medium sized doses).
Regarding "mostly for kids", probably yes, but there's nothing to beat the freshness of new faces who haven't been infected with cynicism.
I dunno, one of the primary sources of my ITM cynicism _was_ our local Comhaltas branch. It is organized for kids to such an extent that it just felt like the non-teaching adults were only kept around to pay dues and lift heavy objects.
Paddy let me clarify what I meant by "Kids"
First it's great to see younger people playing the music, AND really enjoying it for what it's really worth, not just playing because they got sent to lessons by pushy parents.
Second, I would feel a wee bit uncomfortable sitting amidst a class of 8 to 14 year olds being taught by a twenty-something.
Thanks a lot for all your contributions, folks. It seems that each branch has a totally different character, depending on the make up of the members.
I'm wondering now whether Comhaltas branches are more active in places where there are fewer thriving pub sessions....or where there are thriving pub sessions, they would be more younger people oriented. If either or both of the above were true, there wouldn't be too much point in me going along as we have a few regular sessions around here.
I too have been in and out of various branches over a long period and I always felt that Comaltas was too geared towars 'winning competitions' and bringing glory to the branch. Its amazing that most of the really good players I've played with over the years never won an 'All Ireland Fleadh' I've been with my local branch for about fifteen years, but when the law came in in Ireland banning youngsters under eighteen from being in pubs after 9pm, that put the 'kiwash' on it. Consequently, the branch is dying on its feet. The last session,about six weeks ago, was myself, and an old hard of hearing fiddle player. Nearly forgot, we also had a bodhrán player. Trouble with the Ceoltas is that most of the people who appear in photos at functions etc representing the Branch, never turn up to the sessions. Example: Some time ago there was a picture of a lady (non-playing member) in a local paper receiving an award for services rendered to Comhaltas. I could count on one hand the number of times I saw her at our sessions, and even then she often said to me "Oh for God sake play a few waltzes, you've been playing that other stuff all night" Then again this is Ireland were the interest in ITM was always patchy, very patchy, and in some areas non existent.
I would think that the experience with Comhaltas varies fairly widely according to the local persona involved. There are two 'local' groups in our region - both seems largely concerned with organising Fleadhs, local concerts etc. though some sessions are organised. We have been to group classes with one group and if I had a criticism, it is that the focus of these seemed to be purely towards preparing for the County Fleadh competitions each year. We would have preferred a wider view - the difference between 'an education' and just 'preparing for exams', if you follow.
Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
Who all on here are members of COMHALTAS branches and if so would you recommend joining?
I've thought about this several times but
A. The nearest branches are miles away - either East London or North London.
B. Isn't it mostly for kids? Please contradict me if this is not the case.
C. Aren't the sessions quite stilted, or rigidly managed.
D. Aren't they quite cliquey wrt their membership?
As I say, for any of these points, please contradict me if these are not the case.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
you could start your own local branch. It most definitely is not all for kids. Our branch has a large adult membership and we have regular sessions which are definitely not stilted or managed in any way. You can check out our website on the Comhaltas.ie website. Go to the Drumshanbo page and have a look at some of our session photos. Lots of fun there and no we are definitely not clique with our membership - its open to all and sundry. Always delighted to get a new member. Yes you should join Comhaltas.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by MollyB
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
Glad to hear it. I'll check out your branch.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
That's great Molly, thanks, and yes, not many kids at all. (Nothing against them mind you - have 2 of my own!)
http://comhaltas.ie/locations/detail/drumshanbo/
I won't be starting a new branch round here today. We've just had hailstones - about an inch deep at Peckham Rye, July 3rd!
Any more views, info? I'm quite taken by the idea of starting a branch round here - but I'll get over it.....
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
As a member of Comhaltas myself, here is what I reckon.
A. The nearest branches are miles away - either East London or North London.
- I'm not close to my local Branch either. I'm about 12 miles away and that's 2 bus journeys (1 hour altogether). Because of the M50 motorway nearby, it means a drive out only takes 20 minutes but then again, I'm too young to drive at the moment.
B. Isn't it mostly for kids? Please contradict me if this is not the case.
- Ok, so I'm a kid then. But there are plenty of adults out there too and I would say that the branch has quite a balanced amount of both adults and kids.
C. Aren't the sessions quite stilted, or rigidly managed.
- It would depend I think. Some sessions would follow the Comhaltas books "Foinn Seisiun" which are fine for expanding a nice repertoire. But I have sessions with the young people who would play more modern and newer compositions (as well as older rare tunes) and we just play in another part of the building.
D. Aren't they quite cliquey wrt their membership?
- Not at all. I've only been a member for about 2 years and came in quite late (well, I was 14 when I joined while everyone else had joined when they were 7 or so). I didn't really understand the dynamic of Comhaltas but soon began to fit in very well. I went to the slow Tuesday night sessions using "Foinn Seisiun" books at the beginning and met the right people down there. Certainly helped my progress with the music. It does help having your branch in the Comhaltas HQ though!!
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by 52Paddy
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
I don't know what yor nearest branches of Comhaltas are like, (I'm in Co. Cork) but they can vary a lot, one branch near me is well known for being cliquey etc. , the other nearest one does't give this impression at all, and their sessions are much more welcoming.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by cathycook
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
iIve been in and out of Comhaltas several times and I can echo what cathycook says. Where I come from, Comhaltas tends to take the role of introducing young, and some not so young to the music and dancing as well. I've always felt that the connection to dance is a good discipline for musicians and there aren't many places outside of CCE where that's available.
Also I've been to many countries on tours with our local branch, which is another plus. There are of course many downsides as well, not least the stilted element of performance which is endemic amongst the organisers, hence the fact that I've been in and out several times. ( I can take medium sized doses).
Regarding "mostly for kids", probably yes, but there's nothing to beat the freshness of new faces who haven't been infected with cynicism.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by Backer
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
I dunno, one of the primary sources of my ITM cynicism _was_ our local Comhaltas branch. It is organized for kids to such an extent that it just felt like the non-teaching adults were only kept around to pay dues and lift heavy objects.
# Posted on July 3rd 2007 by Sol Foster
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
Paddy let me clarify what I meant by "Kids"
First it's great to see younger people playing the music, AND really enjoying it for what it's really worth, not just playing because they got sent to lessons by pushy parents.
Second, I would feel a wee bit uncomfortable sitting amidst a class of 8 to 14 year olds being taught by a twenty-something.
Thanks a lot for all your contributions, folks. It seems that each branch has a totally different character, depending on the make up of the members.
I'm wondering now whether Comhaltas branches are more active in places where there are fewer thriving pub sessions....or where there are thriving pub sessions, they would be more younger people oriented. If either or both of the above were true, there wouldn't be too much point in me going along as we have a few regular sessions around here.
# Posted on July 4th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
I too have been in and out of various branches over a long period and I always felt that Comaltas was too geared towars 'winning competitions' and bringing glory to the branch. Its amazing that most of the really good players I've played with over the years never won an 'All Ireland Fleadh' I've been with my local branch for about fifteen years, but when the law came in in Ireland banning youngsters under eighteen from being in pubs after 9pm, that put the 'kiwash' on it. Consequently, the branch is dying on its feet. The last session,about six weeks ago, was myself, and an old hard of hearing fiddle player. Nearly forgot, we also had a bodhrán player. Trouble with the Ceoltas is that most of the people who appear in photos at functions etc representing the Branch, never turn up to the sessions. Example: Some time ago there was a picture of a lady (non-playing member) in a local paper receiving an award for services rendered to Comhaltas. I could count on one hand the number of times I saw her at our sessions, and even then she often said to me "Oh for God sake play a few waltzes, you've been playing that other stuff all night" Then again this is Ireland were the interest in ITM was always patchy, very patchy, and in some areas non existent.
# Posted on July 4th 2007 by Free Reed
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
I would think that the experience with Comhaltas varies fairly widely according to the local persona involved. There are two 'local' groups in our region - both seems largely concerned with organising Fleadhs, local concerts etc. though some sessions are organised. We have been to group classes with one group and if I had a criticism, it is that the focus of these seemed to be purely towards preparing for the County Fleadh competitions each year. We would have preferred a wider view - the difference between 'an education' and just 'preparing for exams', if you follow.
# Posted on July 4th 2007 by the wounded hussar
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
Ach, I think I'll just stick to the sessions after all. Thanks for the info folks. That's been really helpful.
# Posted on July 4th 2007 by Rudall the time
Re: Members of local branches of Comhaltas?
What about the East London Branch, anyone on here a member?
# Posted on July 4th 2007 by Ferrise