pjmnash
I'm a retired professional musician who now composes under the private tutorship of my former professor and now friend & mentor, Richard Bunger Evans:
"Sîla de Valera, T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, of the Government of the Republic of Ireland, commissioned Richard Evans to compose Celtic Air: KILMAINHAM GAOL, to commemorate the Millennium in Ireland. Of the 14 composers commissioned to participate, Evans was the only American composer so honored. A recording of Celtic Air: KILMAINHAM GAOL has been issued on a CD of contemporary Irish music by R.T.E. (Irish National Radio & Television), performed by Evans on piano along with the famed Celtic band Boys of the Lough."
SOURCE: http://www.richardbevans.com/CelticMusic.html
I taught Celtic Fiddle classes at the University of California, Davis' Experimental College in the Last Century. I also taught celtic mandolin and played in two predominantly Irish World Music Performing Groups. I also play guitar, keyboard, bass, recorder and use Finale Software & my MAC for composing.
For a few years I played treble viol and baroque violin with the Early Music Ensemble at UCD and so tend to regard Irish music as ancient as Englander John Dowland (b.1563) although Irish Harpers originated as early as 1168 with Amhlaeibh Mac Innaighneorach and thrived for centuries. So I'm an early music lover and Irish/Scottish qualifies.
Later in life I've turned to writing since I've acquired some good judgment per the maxim,
"Good judgment comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgment."
I've had five articles published in New York recently.
I work with small children in a healthy church here in Texas and there IS life after 60!
In 1994 I survived a major paralyzing major stroke and didn't play at all for a few years (!) but now play again quite well and am spurred into practicing my fiddle again since I won a $544 violin bow on ebay for $55!
Sarcasm used to be my game but as I aged, I found it in me to be kind and forgive others their sarcasm w/o judging them for it. Sarcasm means, "to tear the flesh." I prefer the gentle prodding wit of the Irish! I respect people and deem respect as a quality exceeding scholarship.
Tunes in pjmnash's tunebook: 33