The Online Academy of Irish Music

www.oaim.ie

Calling all those who want to learn the Concertina: OAIM is pleased to announce the release of Edel Fox’s brand new course ‘Irish Concertina Skills’. The first lesson of this course is absolutely free, so log–in and get learning! These videos are all in HD and have been enhanced with animated graphic diagrams to enhance the on–line learning experience. Edel’s course is aimed at the more experienced Concertina learner. Thirteen tunes are examined with each focused on a specific technique. These techniques are discussed, demonstrated and developed throughout the lessons. They include more advanced ornamentation, air button / bellow control, and becoming familiar with the lesser used buttons on concertina.
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www.artscouncil-ni.org

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland are major investors in Traditional music, with figures from the 2012/13 season showing they poured in more than a half a million sterling into events are artists, with Belfast festivals receiving the Lion’s share. It may seem a good deal, but it is less than 5% of the Council’s £13M budget. As part of its Music Strategy 2013–2018, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland has established a forum to specifically focus on the development of the traditional music sector in the region.

Bringing together a number of traditional music organisations, the aim is to explore the sector’s own aspirations and proposals for development, and encourage these organisations to advocate for the inclusion of traditional music’s in Northern Ireland’s formal music education provision.
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www.thealtmusic.com

The beautiful mountain Knocknarea in Ireland’s County Sligo is said to be the final resting place of the ancient Irish warrior– queen Maeve.

The ‘Alt’ is a storied glen on the side of Knocknarea, and it was in the shadow of this glen in the little village of Coolaney that the three master Irish traditional musicians in The Alt–John Doyle, Nuala Kennedy, and Eamon O’Leary, first gathered to rehearse.

Each player in The Alt is a leading light of today’s folk scene and though this could be easily called a supergroup, at its heart The Alt is really a celebration of friendship and song. The old ballads, winding tunes, and freshly discovered songs that each artist brought to the table reflect the pure love of the song that has made Irish music so beautiful and compelling over thousands of years. It’s this same love of the song that the Irish brought to America, nestling into their new homes in Appalachia and forming the bedrock that would bring us American country, bluegrass, and old–time music.
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www.facebook.com/aodancoynemusic

If We Only Knew is the debut album from the Socks in the Frying Pan singer and guitarist Aodan Coyne, which was released in October. The Socks were the big hit of the US festival circuit in summer 2014, gaining praise and re–bookings wherever they went. Aodan already has established a following of fans and is likely to build on this, with this excellent debut album.

Come Visit Us in Spiddal
www.facebook.com/gannonsmusicshop

We cater to all of your music needs. Whether you’re looking for instruments, cd’s, musical accessories, lessons or just want to have a chat, Gannon’s is your place! We currently carry a wide range of instruments from beginner to professional level.
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www. myspace.com/benny_mccarthy

The band, composed of Conor Moriarty (Ireland), Benny McCarthy (Ireland) and Graham Wells (Newfoundland) is inspired by the migratory connection between southern Ireland and Newfoundland. The trio made their European debut at a three day Irish festival held in the Luxembourg capital in mid–October. It was a bit of a home from home for the lads as they played in the local parish hall. In this case the Parish Hall in Gasperich, the home of the Irish Club of Luxembourg.

‘truly music without boundaries . . .’
– Bill Whelan, Finalist Adjudicator 2014
www.newschool.ie/musicforschools

Now in its fourth year, the Waltons Music for Schools Competition is a national competition and celebration of music in Irish schools. Each year the Competition awards a total of €10,000 worth of vouchers for musical instruments and equipment from Waltons Music, to be divided among six winning primary and post–primary schools, including two first prizes of €3,000 vouchers, and music groups from twelve Finalist schools (six primary and six post-primary) have the opportunity to perform in the National Concert Hall.
Calling on schools nationwide, the Waltons Music for Schools Competition aims to encourage, incentivise and enable all kinds of music in schools. It is a unique competition in that it is open to all genres of music, and each entry is judged on its own merit. The Competition invites teachers and students to work creatively on either their own take on an existing music piece or to create their own piece and submit their performance of it in video form, along with a description of their school’s music programme and resources. From their entries and videos, music groups from twelve schools are selected to perform in a Finalists Concert at the National Concert Hall, where they perform before their peers and two distinguished adjudicators, who select six schools (three primary and three post–primary) to win prizes.
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November 2nd – 9th, 2014

www.fiddlefair.com

Baltimore Fiddle Fair is extremely proud to present the very first Fiddle Fair Autumn school, a unique opportunity to spend a week in beautiful Baltimore, West Cork and learn from two of the absolute masters of the fiddle tradition: Kevin Burke and Tim O’ Brien. The price of ?999 includes airport transfers, seven nights accommodation at the amazing Inish Beg estate, www.inishbeg.com, breakfast and dinner every evening, six days of classes at Inish Beg (morning and afternoon with Tim and Kevin) and a tailor– made immersion in Baltimore and the islands.

Baltimore is not only synonymous with great fiddling, it is now a favoured destination for humpback whales! Your trip will include some whale–watching, island hopping and nightly sessions in local pubs (with your fiddle masters).

It all culminates with a concert in the bewitching Dún na Séad Castle on Saturday November 8th with Tim and Kevin.
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FOUR DAYS OF GREAT MUSIC
November 6th – 9th, 2014
www.irishfestival.dk

During the first long weekend in November, Copenhagen will be buzzing with Irish music. The annual festival includes some of the best new acts together established bands and legends from Ireland.

Enjoy traditional Irish atmosphere, music, song and dance at the many concerts and sessions and be sure not to miss out on the big Sunday céilí. The Copenhagen Irish Festival is situated in the heart of the city and close to hotels and public transport. Concerts, sessions and céilí are all located at the old meat market quarter that is now a cultural hotspot.

For further information visit the website www.irishfestival.dk
facebook.com/copenhagen.irish.festival

November 27th–30th, 2014

www.birminghamtradfest.co.uk

The eyes of the Irish music world will all be on Birmingham towards the end of the year as it ushers in the arrival of a brand new major Traditional Music festival.

Between November 27th and 30th, the city’s Irish Quarter in Digbeth will welcome hundreds of traditional music lovers, as it plays host to a colourful programme of concerts, sessions and workshops; the festival’s name derives from a famous reel composed by Sligo flute player, Josie McDermott, after a trip to the city in the 1960’s.
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