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2021 Workshops

Sharing the tradition is what keeps it alive.

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11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Singing in Irish (Gaelic) with Dr. Mary McLaughlin

Joining us all the way from Northern Ireland, Mary McLaughlin will teach a couple of traditional songs in Irish Gaelic! Participants don’t need to be able to read music or have any previous experience in the Irish language – the only requirement for this workshop is a willingness to ‘have a go’! Those with some familiarity with the Gaelic language / song tradition will learn a couple new songs and have a chance to experiment with ornamentation. Workshop songs are chosen based on the ability of the group, from a wide repertoire, as Mary has been collecting Irish-language songs for 50 years!

Trish Horrocks fiddle instructor

12:30 – 1:30 PM

Intermediate West Coast Fiddle with Trish Horrocks

Join Trish to learn a fiddle tune written right here on the beautiful west coast of BC! In addition to learning a new tune, students will also get some helpful technique pointers to help them with some of the many challenges we face on the fiddle. The class will be fun and very informative, and will include sheet music and recordings for the tune.

2:00 – 3:30 PM

Arranging for DADGAD Guitar with David Denz

This workshop demonstrates common chords in DADGAD and demonstrates how chord voicings can be used when arranging a song to be accompanied with DADGAD guitar. DADGAD is a tuning preferred my many accompanists in the Celtic tradition. The tuning complements fixed pitch instruments (ie flutes, whistles and pipes) very well.

Many thanks to our workshop hosts, who are offering their time out of the kindness of their hearts and their love of the music. If you would like to help us raise the funds to compensate our instructors and performers for their time, please visit our donation page!