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Comhaltas Annual Scoil Éigse to take place in Cavan as the town prepares for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann’s 38th Annual Scoil Éigse takes place in Cavan Town from 15th-20th August 2010. Scoil Éigse, CCÉ’s international Summer School plays a very important part in educating, nurturing and encouraging our cultural traditions and is open to students and the general public who have an interest in witnessing Irish traditional music at its most vibrant. The project proves a huge draw for younger students and also for international tourists who can immerse themselves in Irish culture while also learning some basic musical skills at this initiative which is the most comprehensive of its kind in the country.

Scoil Eigse will be incorporated into the 60th Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Fleadh Cheoil, which is commencing on Sunday 15th August, is one of the premier cultural events in Europe and it is set to leave its distinctive mark as the annual festival of music, song and dance began its exciting and innovative programme of events this week. It is expected that the event will bring over 230,000 visitors, 10,000 performers and 131 competitions to the town of Cavan and generate up to €30 million.

The Scoil Éigse schedule each day commences at 9:15am and includes two classes (on the various instruments, singing, dancing and Irish language) with a third session given over to either recitals or a choice of workshops in various venues around Cavan town. Educational and enjoyable daily sessions see students placed in appropriately graded instrumental music classes.

The team of international tutors are all master performers with proven track-records as teachers, musicians and educationalists who reflect the ethos of Comhaltas’ commitment to education. These tutors have a wealth of artistic experience and knowledge, which they share with students in an atmosphere that promotes both active and reflective participation.

This summer college of Irish traditional music is the most comprehensive of its kind with classes on the fiddle, concert flute, whistle, 2-row accordion, concertina, uilleann pipes, harp, banjo, piano accordion, traditional singing in English and Irish, céilí & set dancing, rince ar an sean-nós, piano-accompaniment and Irish language. Each night, up to four hundred young musicians gather to play together, with their tutors at Club Éigse. The school ends with the ‘Scoil Éigse Concert’ on Friday, 20th August 2010.

As the title Scoil Éigse (meaning a learning experience focused on cultural discussion and participation) implies, this annual event provides a broad-based cultural educational experience for students, their families, other visitors and the general public. Recitals and lectures form part of the week’s activities but the focal point of each day are the classes.

From its inception, Scoil Éigse promoted quality teaching of quality material in a family/youth-friendly cultural immersion setting and as a result it gained in popularity with last year’s event attracting over 800 students. This year’s school is expected to attract even more interest, as the Fleadh Cheoil gears up for its largest event ever.

If you wish to participate this year, application forms can be downloaded from www.comhaltas.ie