Anybody out there go to Swanannoa Celtic Week in Ashville, NC? What did you think? It was my first time. Thought it was great. Having trouble reacclimating myself to the "real world" again though.
I was there. I was pleased with the quality of instruction, the accessibility of the instructors, and the walkability of the campus. My only mistake was taking four classes instead of three; I found that left me no time to practice, contemplate what I heard and learned, or even just space out for a few minutes and look at the mountains a short distance away. The weather wasn't ideal, either, and the dorm rooms were primitive, but all in all, it changed me in several ways, and I've still not come down from the high a week later. And I got to play some tunes and just hang with some of my heroes!
Swannanoa is one of a handful of these kinds of camps. Although I've only been to two different camps, Swanny is definitely my favorite. It's relaxed, non-competitive, and everybody is very friendly.
I was there too for the first time, and with the exception of the dorms as mentioned above, loved it. Great music (tunes as well as songs), extraordinarily talented and patient instructors, friendly people, gorgeous part of the country, and enough hilly walking to have had the extra bonus of losing the couple of pounds I've been trying to get rid of.
I took three classes, and could easily have gotten what I wanted by taking two - for the same reasons given by High-strung. There is so much going on in the evening/night that I don't know how anyone made it to a 9:00 a.m. class, not to mention breakfast.
It was definitely a relaxing week and an opportunity to leave everything but music at home. I'd go again, but would love to know if there were anything similar on the west coast, as Swannanoa is a long way from California.
This was my 2nd time at Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddle in Valle Cruces NC. I can relate to having to re-acclimate. It is such an intense week that it is difficult to describe. We had to use off campus housing this year and it was sheer luxury but very little time to enjoy it. I understand next year will be all on campus. Four fabulous instructors all great in their individual styles and very forgiving to us fiddle wannabees. If you love Scottish music and country dance it would be hard to beat. Swananoa is appealing too.
I just got back from an extended trip that began with Swannanoa.
The formal instruction was not what I would call "rigorous," at least compared to the GHB camps I went to as a teenager, but that wasn't the point. Rather, the chance to play constantly with like-minded people was what attracted me. Not to mention the faculty concerts, the ceilidh, the late nights watching some of the best players around letting their hair down, bumping into friends I'd known 16 years ago, etc. etc. In short, the craic.
As far as the dorms went, meh. I think I spent an average of six hours per day in my bedroom. It was cool enough at night so that sleep was possible, and I didn't use the room for anything else. (Except chatting with the roommate, who is a good guy. About the weather. . what we got was MUCH better than it could have been.
It was like being whisked off to fairy land. . .since I've been back it seems that 20 years has gone by.
Swanannoa Celtic Week
Swanannoa Celtic Week
Anybody out there go to Swanannoa Celtic Week in Ashville, NC? What did you think? It was my first time. Thought it was great. Having trouble reacclimating myself to the "real world" again though.
# Posted on July 22nd 2005 by madabouttrad
Re: Swanannoa Celtic Week
I was there. I was pleased with the quality of instruction, the accessibility of the instructors, and the walkability of the campus. My only mistake was taking four classes instead of three; I found that left me no time to practice, contemplate what I heard and learned, or even just space out for a few minutes and look at the mountains a short distance away. The weather wasn't ideal, either, and the dorm rooms were primitive, but all in all, it changed me in several ways, and I've still not come down from the high a week later. And I got to play some tunes and just hang with some of my heroes!
Swannanoa is one of a handful of these kinds of camps. Although I've only been to two different camps, Swanny is definitely my favorite. It's relaxed, non-competitive, and everybody is very friendly.
# Posted on July 22nd 2005 by Audeamus
Re: Swanannoa Celtic Week
I was there too for the first time, and with the exception of the dorms as mentioned above, loved it. Great music (tunes as well as songs), extraordinarily talented and patient instructors, friendly people, gorgeous part of the country, and enough hilly walking to have had the extra bonus of losing the couple of pounds I've been trying to get rid of.
I took three classes, and could easily have gotten what I wanted by taking two - for the same reasons given by High-strung. There is so much going on in the evening/night that I don't know how anyone made it to a 9:00 a.m. class, not to mention breakfast.
It was definitely a relaxing week and an opportunity to leave everything but music at home. I'd go again, but would love to know if there were anything similar on the west coast, as Swannanoa is a long way from California.
# Posted on July 23rd 2005 by mjct
Re: Swanannoa Celtic Week
This was my 2nd time at Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddle in Valle Cruces NC. I can relate to having to re-acclimate. It is such an intense week that it is difficult to describe. We had to use off campus housing this year and it was sheer luxury but very little time to enjoy it. I understand next year will be all on campus. Four fabulous instructors all great in their individual styles and very forgiving to us fiddle wannabees. If you love Scottish music and country dance it would be hard to beat. Swananoa is appealing too.
# Posted on July 24th 2005 by Gault802
Re: Swanannoa Celtic Week
I just got back from an extended trip that began with Swannanoa.
The formal instruction was not what I would call "rigorous," at least compared to the GHB camps I went to as a teenager, but that wasn't the point. Rather, the chance to play constantly with like-minded people was what attracted me. Not to mention the faculty concerts, the ceilidh, the late nights watching some of the best players around letting their hair down, bumping into friends I'd known 16 years ago, etc. etc. In short, the craic.
As far as the dorms went, meh. I think I spent an average of six hours per day in my bedroom. It was cool enough at night so that sleep was possible, and I didn't use the room for anything else. (Except chatting with the roommate, who is a good guy. About the weather. . what we got was MUCH better than it could have been.
It was like being whisked off to fairy land. . .since I've been back it seems that 20 years has gone by.
# Posted on July 29th 2005 by wormdiet