Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I would like to see the ability to become accredited as either a teacher or adjudicator made available through on-line courses in order to open it up fairly to those living abroad to achieve these goals without having to wait for somebody to come to town or having to go to HQ. It would increase the number of qualified competent teachers abroad and greatly reduce the carbon footprint associated with flying to Ireland.
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I'd like to see all the membership fees (or at least *almost* all the membership fees) stay at the branch. Or else the same amount of money being invested back into the branches.
Currently there is no justification to pay money into, say, the Grand River branch, for instance, as all the money disappears to Ireland.
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I agree with nico.
I would like to seethe system of marking for competitions altered,thereare too many marks given for ornamentation.
I would like to see other rules changed,for example,in duets and trio competetions all members must play the tune at all times[no harmony allowed]why?is it because there are no competent judges of harmony.
rule19,in duets over18 two different instruments and only two must be played.in trios over18 at least two different instruments must be played.why?
rule17.in the rogha ghleascompetion a competitor may compete on one instrument only,why?
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Comhaltas does suffer from a lot of shortcomings but then so does any organisation run by volunteer commitees.The role of the Fleadh cannot be overlooked, a Fleadh would not be a Fleadh if it wasn't running behind time,adjudicated by a tone deaf hairdresser, awash with weak tea and stocked by overeager parents who are a lot more interested in the results than their kids.That said the process has created more stunning musicians than you could shake a stick at ! I believe entries are due for the Fleadh in North London which is in about 3 weeks,If you don't want to enter I am sure you can help out and maybe even change Comhaltas a bit in the process......
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Mike -
You encapsulate matters very evocatively - the only thing you left out is that the hairdresser is suffering from a locomotive-strength hangover
But you're spot on. Nothing in this imperfect world is perfect, & credit where credit is due - Comhaltas provided a forum & structures within which standards of playing improved immeasurably.
With many, many regrets, I parted company with Comhaltas over the political / social / religious stances taken by the leadership in the 1980s. I taught kids independently thereafter, before extensive international travel constrained me - with even more regrets - to park that. I look forward with pleasure to teaching again when I retire.
I won't say whether or not I *personally* agreed or disagreed with the stances taken by the Comhaltas leadership on the matters referenced above. The problem, as I saw it, was that the leadership considered its own views, doubtless very sincerely held, to define core elements of an insider/outsider model of what was held to be Irish identity and culture.
I was young in the 80s, tho'. Perhaps a more mature reaction would have been to shrug - "Silly asses" - and gotten on with matters musical & working personally toward inclusiveness. Even more ad rem - I doubt that many people under 40 actually understand the world-view characterised by the Irish=Catholic=Irish Speaking=Republican school of history & identity.
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I would like to see a democratically elected Director and executive not the self imposed dictator for life that we presently have (he doesn't play any ITM by the way!).
More transparency in their accounts. Monkstown should give financial help to county and provincial fleadhanna and not insist that thousands are raised to accomodate the accomodation and dinner reception for CCE executives and their partners.
Can someone please count the number of photos which include Larry O'Murchu in the latest edition of Treoir?
I would like to see a tribunal to acertain as to where all the monies ever raised by CCE have went since its foundation - As Larry is a senator in Governmant here in Ireland that will never happen!!!!!
How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Not even Larry is going to live forever.
What would people like Comhaltas to do that it is not doing now ?
How could it be better run ?
Could I suggest that we keep this open & imaginative, rather that generalist gripes along the lines of "Be less authoritarian" ?
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Sean Lead Liath
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I would like to see the ability to become accredited as either a teacher or adjudicator made available through on-line courses in order to open it up fairly to those living abroad to achieve these goals without having to wait for somebody to come to town or having to go to HQ. It would increase the number of qualified competent teachers abroad and greatly reduce the carbon footprint associated with flying to Ireland.
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Patkiwi
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I'd like to see all the membership fees (or at least *almost* all the membership fees) stay at the branch. Or else the same amount of money being invested back into the branches.
Currently there is no justification to pay money into, say, the Grand River branch, for instance, as all the money disappears to Ireland.
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Nico
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I agree with nico.
I would like to seethe system of marking for competitions altered,thereare too many marks given for ornamentation.
I would like to see other rules changed,for example,in duets and trio competetions all members must play the tune at all times[no harmony allowed]why?is it because there are no competent judges of harmony.
rule19,in duets over18 two different instruments and only two must be played.in trios over18 at least two different instruments must be played.why?
rule17.in the rogha ghleascompetion a competitor may compete on one instrument only,why?
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by dickens metrognome
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
You wil be severely lucky.......CCE is a self-perpetuating oligarchy. To use a familiar Irish expression, change in CCE is as rare as hens' teeth.
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Guernsey Pete
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Could it be that the change we should see, is one of the organisation finally shutting up shop?
Of course Comhaltas needs ITM, but after all is said & done, does Traditional Irish Music actually really need Comhaltas to survive & thrive?
Has it ever?
Cheers
Dick
# Posted on April 28th 2008 by Ptarmigan
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Comhaltas does suffer from a lot of shortcomings but then so does any organisation run by volunteer commitees.The role of the Fleadh cannot be overlooked, a Fleadh would not be a Fleadh if it wasn't running behind time,adjudicated by a tone deaf hairdresser, awash with weak tea and stocked by overeager parents who are a lot more interested in the results than their kids.That said the process has created more stunning musicians than you could shake a stick at ! I believe entries are due for the Fleadh in North London which is in about 3 weeks,If you don't want to enter I am sure you can help out and maybe even change Comhaltas a bit in the process......
# Posted on April 29th 2008 by Mike_Hunt
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Mike -
You encapsulate matters very evocatively - the only thing you left out is that the hairdresser is suffering from a locomotive-strength hangover
But you're spot on. Nothing in this imperfect world is perfect, & credit where credit is due - Comhaltas provided a forum & structures within which standards of playing improved immeasurably.
With many, many regrets, I parted company with Comhaltas over the political / social / religious stances taken by the leadership in the 1980s. I taught kids independently thereafter, before extensive international travel constrained me - with even more regrets - to park that. I look forward with pleasure to teaching again when I retire.
I won't say whether or not I *personally* agreed or disagreed with the stances taken by the Comhaltas leadership on the matters referenced above. The problem, as I saw it, was that the leadership considered its own views, doubtless very sincerely held, to define core elements of an insider/outsider model of what was held to be Irish identity and culture.
I was young in the 80s, tho'. Perhaps a more mature reaction would have been to shrug - "Silly asses" - and gotten on with matters musical & working personally toward inclusiveness. Even more ad rem - I doubt that many people under 40 actually understand the world-view characterised by the Irish=Catholic=Irish Speaking=Republican school of history & identity.
# Posted on April 29th 2008 by Sean Lead Liath
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
I would like to see a democratically elected Director and executive not the self imposed dictator for life that we presently have (he doesn't play any ITM by the way!).
More transparency in their accounts. Monkstown should give financial help to county and provincial fleadhanna and not insist that thousands are raised to accomodate the accomodation and dinner reception for CCE executives and their partners.
Can someone please count the number of photos which include Larry O'Murchu in the latest edition of Treoir?
I would like to see a tribunal to acertain as to where all the monies ever raised by CCE have went since its foundation - As Larry is a senator in Governmant here in Ireland that will never happen!!!!!
# Posted on April 30th 2008 by iwerzon
Re: How Would People Like To See Comhaltas Change ?
Now, let's see, 'Mike_Hunt' - not the most subtle user name is it?
# Posted on April 30th 2008 by Floss the Tethers