Minnesota Irish Music Weekend June 9-11
www.centerforirishmusic.org

Saint Paul, MN – Internationally renowned musicians will celebrate 10 years of lively and distinctive music education at the Tenth Annual Minnesota Irish Music Weekend (MIM) June 9-11 at the Center for Irish Music in Saint Paul. The event will feature 5 master artists, all of whom have received special distinctions for their skill and commitment to the tradition: John Carty (fiddle, banjo), Colm O’Donnell (flute, whistle, song), James Kelly (fiddle), Méabh Begley (accordion, song), Sean Gavin (flute, uilleann pipes).

The three-day festival offers a free Friday night Great Session Experience, a Saturday night Master Artists Concert featuring all visiting artists, and music workshops and lectures throughout the weekend for children, teens and adults. Workshop and concert prices range from $6 to $235 for a weekend package and can be found online at http://www.centerforirishmusic.org/mim/

“Over ten years of hosting the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, we have seen a huge upsurge in Irish traditional music in the Twin Cities,” says Norah Rendell, executive director of The Center for Irish Music. “This year’s selection of master artists will be sure to energize and inspire the community, including more than 150 year-round CIM students and our 25 instructors. This will be a truly unforgettable weekend of traditional music and Irish culture.”

The Minnesota Irish Weekend (MIM) offers unique learning opportunities for young musicians, including:

A one-day Irish Trad Immersion Camp (ages 9-12) for intermediate-level students looking to expand their skills and learn new tunes.

· A Teen Program (ages 12-19), offering a rare opportunity for intermediate to advanced students to study with renowned Irish artists.

· A Beginner’s Program for children just getting started in Irish music. Taught by the Center for Irish Music’s expert teaching staff, hands-on workshops include traditional songs in Irish Gaelic and English, crafts, and opportunities to experiment with several Irish instruments.

Adult programs are designed for intermediate to advanced-level students and include workshops in instruments such as fiddle, flute, tin whistle, piano, accordion, song, and Irish music accompaniment as well as talks on the Irish musical tradition by Altan member Dáithí Sproule. All Irish instruments are welcome. Teen and adult program participants all have the opportunity to learn in a small class environment from the visiting master artists.

The Friday evening Great Session Experience is a free event bringing together the Twin
Cities Irish music community with six simultaneous sessions, including one dedicated to song. Other activities include social community meals, sessions throughout the weekend, and a Saturday evening Master Artists Concert featuring all of the visiting musicians.
Additional information including pricing at www.centerforirishmusic.org.

The Center for Irish Music is a 501c3 non-profit music school located in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. In 2009, CIM began “handing down the tradition” in its own permanent facility at The Celtic Junction, a flourishing Twin Cities hub of Celtic arts. CIM’s staff of 18 professional musicians serve over 300 students of all ages through workshops, master classes, and year round instruction in song, fiddle, harp, whistle, concertina, flute, bodhrán, guitar and more.