Weekly Classes and Jam
Sessions, June 30 - August 22
Monday classes begin June 30, Tuesday
classes begin July 1. Dance class is only 4 weeks, July 3 - 24.
Irish Social Dancing, Christine
Harker
Remember the party scene in the movie
"Titanic?" where the Irish immigrants were dancing? If that looked
like a lot of fun, this class is for you. Traditional Irish Ceilidha
nd Set dances are low-impact group dances in circles, lines and squares,
accompanied by traditional Irish music. No experience and no partner are
necessary.
Irish Social Dancing, Thursdays, 6:30-8
pm, 4 weeks, July 3 -24. $35
Location: Akers' house, 1411 Anthony St.
Monday night classes:
Location for Monday classes is Unity
Center of Columbia, 1600 West Broadway
Beginning and Intermediate Irish
Whistle/Flute classes
Helen Gubbins and Dierdre Harnedy
Beginners will start out on Irish tin whistle, learning how to play a scale
and moving on to simple tunes. In the course of learning how to play your tin
whistle, you will also learn about the different types of tunes in Irish
music and a bit about the traditions and culture surrounding traditional
music.
Intermediate players will advance their skills, learning new tunes and techniques for whistle or flute (six-hole or concert). Focus will be on mastering tunes with rhythmic challenges and adding ornamentation.
Beginning Irish whsitle/flute:
Mondays, 6:30-7:30 pm, 8 weeks, $60 (Helen)
Intermediate Irish whistle/flute: Mondays, 7:30-8:30 pm, 8 weeks, $60
(Deirdre)
We have Acorn tin whistles available for purchase for $8 and Oak whistles for $14.
Beginning Fiddle
Dierdre Harnedy
This class is for people just learning to play the fiddle/violin. It will
cover general techniques starting with fingerings and playing scales and
progress to playing simple tunes. Students should have an instrument
Beginning Fiddle: Mondays, 5:30-6:30 pm, 8 weeks,
$60
Intermediate Irish fiddle, Deirdre
Harnedy
For people with at least a year of experience playing fiddle and are
learning Irish traditional style playing. This class will work
both on general playing technique and playing Irish tunes in an authentic
style, emphasizing rhythm and basic ornamentation.
Intermediate Irish fiddle: Mondays, 6:30-7:30 pm, 8
weeks, $60
Tuesday Night Classes:
Location is Akers' house, 1411 Anthony St. map
Irish music accompaniment for chord
instruments (piano, guitar, other strummed things)
Back-up instruments are an important part of traditional music and have
specific roles to fill, adding to the texture, balance and variation of
tunes. Great back-up playing is an art of its own! Helen will talk about
chord choices, variations, rhythm patterns and
interactions between melody
and backup instruments in a jam sessions or performance settings.
Irish music accompaniment: Mondays, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, 8
weeks, $60 (NOTE: this class has changed from Monday to
Tuesday)
Beginning Irish Language (Gaelic)
Deirdre Harnedy
As well as learning basic conversational Irish, you'll learn a bit about
the history and culture of Ireland and understand why this language
that was nearly "dead" is now thriving.
Beginning Irish Language (Gaelic): Tuesdays, 7- 8
pm, 8 weeks, $60. Optional book is $8.
Music-by-ear techniques
Helen Gubbins
People who learned to play an instrument by reading
sheet music often find it very difficult to transition to a traditional or
folk style of music where tunes are mainly passed along from person to person,
learning by ear. This class will help strengthen your "ear"
for music, with techniques and exercises designed to help you listen better
and retain melodies you hear.
Music-by-ear techniques: Tuesday evenings 7-8 pm,
$60
Slow Jam with Helen and Dierdre,
Tuesdays 8:15-9:30 pm
Teens and adults new to playing Irish
music are invited to come learn a few tunes and techniques from two musicians
who have been immersed in traditional music all their lives. Learn some
easy standard sessions tunes that will familiar anywhere you might go to play
music. All ages are welcome. Come with tunes you know but want to polish
up or enhance with variations, or just come to listen and learn tunes.
All ages are welcome.
$5 requested donation at the door, bring a tape
recorder if you want
Dessert and tea will be provided.
Slow Jam with Helen and Dierdre: Tuesdays, 8:15-9:30 pm, at Kate and Jeff
Akers house, 1411 Anthony St. (see map)
Weekly classes for children ages 6 - 13 begin after the Irish Arts Week day camp, July 21.
Beginning Tin Whistle, 4 pm Mondays, 6 weeks,
$40
Tin whistles are available from us for $8.
Beginning Irish music (for kids who already
play an instrument) 4pm Tuesdays, 6 weeks, $40
Students should have one year or more of experience playing their
instrument.
Step dancing classes may be available from Ellie Grace, contact her directly for information. egrace@coin.org