Running from 15th to 22nd July 2006 the Joe Mooney Summer School will celebrate its 18th year. From small beginnings in 1989, this event has grown rapidly and is now reckoned amongst the best on the traditional calendar – a must for all students seeking top class tuition from Ireland’s traditional masters.
In most instruments there is a choice of grade – from improvers to masterclass. Beginners can enrol in tin whistle, bodhrán, set dancing and singing. This means that all interested in experiencing traditional culture are catered for.
For the past number of years, approval for Primary School teachers to avail of the Summer course in set dancing has been granted to the Joe Mooney Summer School. This approval is regarded as a major recognition of the work being done to pass on traditional heritage in primary schools. Over sixty primary school teachers attended set dancing classes by Pat Murphy in Drumshanbo last year.
Traditional singing is thriving in the capable hands of internationally-renowned Rosie Stewart and local traditional singer Fionnuala O’Reilly who has many Comhaltas awards to her name. Antaine O’Faracháin of Radio na Life fame – sean nós singer and collector of songs teaches sean- nós singing to young and old.
Traditional instruments covered include button accordion, piano accordion, concertina, banjo, mandolin, bodhrán, whistle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp. A special evening masterclass in banjo by John Carty this year.
For local youths interested in piano accompaniment, an evening class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be taught by Sligo organist/pianist, Charles O’Connor, who also teaches piano accordion at the Joe Mooney Summer School. Charles is regarded as top class in the field of accompaniment and this is a great opportunity to gain some hands-on experience – essential for groups or bands.
Set dancing at Joe Mooney Summer School is an integral part of the week’s workshops. Set-Dancing supremo Pat Murphy takes the dancers – beginners and experienced ones – through a mixture of sets chosen to suit all tastes. With evening workshops – 2-hand dances with Edie Bradley, sean nos dancing with Roisín ní Mhainín, there is a non-stop dancing fever culminating each evening with a set dancing céili. All well known céili bands – this year a new, one on the scene Michael Sexton – attract dancers from far and wide to the set dancing céilis.
Friday evening is barbeque evening – outdoor music from Céide featuring Leitrim’s Brian Lennon, will set the scene at the Ramada Hotel on the shores of Lough Allen for a glorious evening of traditional family entertainment.
For further details on workshops, tutors, céilis etc., check out www.joemooneysummerschool.com
Well it was the best ever Joe Mooney Summer School.
Tropical weather meant sessions abounded on the High STreet every night, there were musicians from all over Ireland, the atmosphere was just brilliant and the classes were excellent. Well done to the very hard working committee of Nancy Woods et al.
I have arrived back after a really enjoyable week in Drumshanbo! As MollyB said, the weather was just fabulous, it was so nice to hear and play in sessions outside, as well as plenty of session going on indoors. I took the flute course with John Wynne, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The fiddle and flute recital were well worth going to, as was the closing concert on the Thursday night - four hours of music, from various tutors including people such as Michael Tubridy, John Carty, Joe Burke and Noel Hill to mention just a few of the well-know musicians.
Kudos to the organisers!
It's a must do....
am back from my second "drumshanbo" this summer. and it was brilliant..... last year it really inspired me and changed my attitude towards music.... festivals like this show a child (or a teenager in this case) exactly where you can direct your music and where you can use it to have a great time and great craic!
a must do for young people and beginners.... really everyone must get out there..... once you've done it you'll never go back to just playing in the house by your self....
Joe Mooney Summer School
Joe Mooney Summer School 2006
Running from 15th to 22nd July 2006 the Joe Mooney Summer School will celebrate its 18th year. From small beginnings in 1989, this event has grown rapidly and is now reckoned amongst the best on the traditional calendar – a must for all students seeking top class tuition from Ireland’s traditional masters.
In most instruments there is a choice of grade – from improvers to masterclass. Beginners can enrol in tin whistle, bodhrán, set dancing and singing. This means that all interested in experiencing traditional culture are catered for.
For the past number of years, approval for Primary School teachers to avail of the Summer course in set dancing has been granted to the Joe Mooney Summer School. This approval is regarded as a major recognition of the work being done to pass on traditional heritage in primary schools. Over sixty primary school teachers attended set dancing classes by Pat Murphy in Drumshanbo last year.
Traditional singing is thriving in the capable hands of internationally-renowned Rosie Stewart and local traditional singer Fionnuala O’Reilly who has many Comhaltas awards to her name. Antaine O’Faracháin of Radio na Life fame – sean nós singer and collector of songs teaches sean- nós singing to young and old.
Traditional instruments covered include button accordion, piano accordion, concertina, banjo, mandolin, bodhrán, whistle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp. A special evening masterclass in banjo by John Carty this year.
For local youths interested in piano accompaniment, an evening class on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be taught by Sligo organist/pianist, Charles O’Connor, who also teaches piano accordion at the Joe Mooney Summer School. Charles is regarded as top class in the field of accompaniment and this is a great opportunity to gain some hands-on experience – essential for groups or bands.
Set dancing at Joe Mooney Summer School is an integral part of the week’s workshops. Set-Dancing supremo Pat Murphy takes the dancers – beginners and experienced ones – through a mixture of sets chosen to suit all tastes. With evening workshops – 2-hand dances with Edie Bradley, sean nos dancing with Roisín ní Mhainín, there is a non-stop dancing fever culminating each evening with a set dancing céili. All well known céili bands – this year a new, one on the scene Michael Sexton – attract dancers from far and wide to the set dancing céilis.
Friday evening is barbeque evening – outdoor music from Céide featuring Leitrim’s Brian Lennon, will set the scene at the Ramada Hotel on the shores of Lough Allen for a glorious evening of traditional family entertainment.
For further details on workshops, tutors, céilis etc., check out www.joemooneysummerschool.com
# Posted on June 7th 2006 by MollyB
Update on Summer School 2006
Well it was the best ever Joe Mooney Summer School.
Tropical weather meant sessions abounded on the High STreet every night, there were musicians from all over Ireland, the atmosphere was just brilliant and the classes were excellent. Well done to the very hard working committee of Nancy Woods et al.
# Posted on July 24th 2006 by MollyB
Joe Mooney
I have arrived back after a really enjoyable week in Drumshanbo! As MollyB said, the weather was just fabulous, it was so nice to hear and play in sessions outside, as well as plenty of session going on indoors. I took the flute course with John Wynne, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The fiddle and flute recital were well worth going to, as was the closing concert on the Thursday night - four hours of music, from various tutors including people such as Michael Tubridy, John Carty, Joe Burke and Noel Hill to mention just a few of the well-know musicians.
Kudos to the organisers!
# Posted on July 25th 2006 by mcdevith
It's a must do....
am back from my second "drumshanbo" this summer. and it was brilliant..... last year it really inspired me and changed my attitude towards music.... festivals like this show a child (or a teenager in this case) exactly where you can direct your music and where you can use it to have a great time and great craic!
a must do for young people and beginners.... really everyone must get out there..... once you've done it you'll never go back to just playing in the house by your self....
in saying that you should still practice kiddies!
# Posted on December 31st 2006 by saxwhistle