Description:

Do you love the lilt of a penny whistle or the thunder of an Irish drum? Do you enjoy Irish music and want to be a part of playing some tunes? This five-day summer workshop will give you the opportunity to try out your skills on the whistle, fiddle, or bodhran. In addition to daily lessons and information on the traditions and culture behind the music, enjoy gathering for fun and music with the teachers and other musicians. This workshop is open to students ages 5-16; no prior experience is required!

Students who take part in this workshop will:

• Participate in daily, 2-hour workshops, where they will learn the basics of how to play their instrument of choice;
• Participate in daily mini-recitals where they show off what they’ve learned that day;
• Learn about the traditions and culture of traditional Irish music;
• Participate in demonstrations of Sea Nos singing and dancing and daily small concerts by the faculty;
• Have a final performance where they will play with a regionally known traditional Irish band, Kennedy’s Kitchen, at their Friday by the Fountain concert in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center (weather permitting).

Curriculum:

Students will spend each day in small groups learning the basics of playing their chosen instrument and its role in a traditional Irish song. At the end of each day, students will come together for a mini recital, where they will play that day’s traditional Irish song as one big traditional Irish band. Other activities will include mini-concerts performed by the instructors, special guest demonstrations, and talks where students will learn the history and traditions of Irish music.

As a final performance, students will have the opportunity to perform with a regionally touring Traditional Irish band called Kennedy’s Kitchen as part of the Friday by the Fountain concert series.