CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF CALENDAR OF 2024-25 CIM IMPORTANT DATES
*In-person Class*
Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) is celebrated today as Ireland’s national composer. CIM harp instructor Chad McAnally is your guide as we explore the music of this beloved Irish harper and bring it to life. Learn some fabulously gorgeous tunes and the remarkable stories behind them. Not just for harpers! Open to all melody instruments.
*Online class*
We derive our inspiration from listening to the greats. In this course Dáithí Sproule will introduce you to a variety of great Irish instrumentalists and singers — and examine the fascinating question of what makes each one great. Dáithí has found it immensely helpful and rewarding when on his musical path he has been fortunate enough be pointed towards a certain musician or singer as worthy of closer listening and learning — he hopes to pass some of that on.
*In-Person Class*
Are you interested in playing with others in an informal setting, also known as a session, but aren't sure where to start? You are not alone! This class is a great, safe way to experience a weekly session and build your confidence around showing up to other sessions in the future. We will build on your existing repertoire of tunes by learning from each other, while also working on some Twin Cities session classics you can bring to any session around town!
This Spring, we're offering two Session Playing classes. Sign up for one, or both!
This class will focus on melody players, but accompanists are welcome as well!
*Online Class*
No other Irish traditional singer or song collector ever amassed such a large and wide-ranging repertoire as Dublin man Frank Harte (1933-2005). Though renowned for his Dublin street ballads and Napoleonic pieces, he sang all sorts of old songs, always with intimacy, joy and commitment, and left behind his collection of field recordings of as many as 15,000 song performances by other singers. We are lucky that Frank recorded many wonderful albums that are still available, and we will select from these to sing and learn in class.
*In-Person Class*
Open Sky Ensemble celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022! We have a great variety of instruments right now but are always happy to add more. If you know many tunes and have a fair amount of CIM instruction under your belt, come join this fun Monday evening adult ensemble!
New and interested students, please contact Brian Miller at dadgadguy@gmail.com before enrolling.
Additional Information:
Reminder: All ensemble students need to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor to be in a CIM ensemble.
*Online class*
We derive our inspiration from listening to the greats. In this course Dáithí Sproule will introduce you to a variety of great Irish instrumentalists and singers — and examine the fascinating question of what makes each one great. Dáithí has found it immensely helpful and rewarding, when on his musical path, to be pointed towards a certain musician or singer as worthy of closer listening and learning. In this class, he hopes to pass some of that on to you.
Class will meet on: June 10, June 17, June 24, July 15, July 22, July 29
*In-Person Class*
A continuation of Spring Term's class, Kate will teach a lovely new whistle tune each week and introduce basic (optional) ornaments such as cuts and rolls. At the end of this course, you'll know a tune from every rhythm family! Each class will include some review of previously-learned tunes, so you will see your repertoire build each week.
All budding whistle players who know at least 3 tunes are welcome to join Kate this summer!
Class will meet on: June 11, June 18, July 9, July 30, August 13.
*In-Person Class*
Are you interested in playing with others in an informal setting, also known as a session, but aren't sure where to start? You are not alone! This class is a great, safe way to experience a weekly session and build your confidence around showing up to other sessions in the future. We will build on your existing repertoire of tunes by learning from each other, while also working on some Twin Cities session classics you can bring to any session around town!
Class will meet on: June 11, June 18, July 16, July 23, July 30.
This class will focus on melody players, but accompanists are welcome as well!
*In-Person Class*
An Luan has been together for many years, and is always on the lookout for new members - especially melody players on fiddle, concertina or accordion! This experienced group of musicians has a history of performing regularly around the Twin Cities with a large repertoire of session tunes and not-so-well-known tunes since 2010. They strive to play great music together and have fun while they are at it.
New and interested students, please contact Brian Miller at dadgadguy@gmail.com before enrolling.
Additional Information:
Reminder: All ensemble students need to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor to be in a CIM ensemble.
*In-Person Class*
Dáithí was born and raised in the city of Derry in the north of Ireland, a place where everybody seemed to have songs to sing. In these classes he will teach a variety of songs he loves and learnt from local singers including Seán Ó hÉalaí, Brian Mullen, Frank Shiels and Kevin Mitchell.
*Hybrid Class*
This Summer, we will offer two sections of this class so students can participate remotely and in person at CIM. Please check the location ("Online" or "MULT" for in person) before registering.
Pub songs are raucous, tuneful, and above all, fun! But like the most intricate reel, you need skill and a concentrated approach to play and sing them well. Todd will teach the vocal techniques and rhythmic strategies needed to help you stand and deliver these wonderful ballads and drinking songs. All instruments encouraged.
Are you interested in playing with others in an informal setting, also known as a session, but aren't sure where to start? You are not alone! This class is a great, safe way to experience a weekly session and build your confidence around showing up to other sessions in the future. We will build on your existing repertoire of tunes by learning from each other, while also working on some Twin Cities session classics you can bring to any session around town!
This class will focus on melody players, but accompanists are welcome as well!
*In-Person Class*
An Luan has been together for many years, and is always on the lookout for new members - especially melody players on fiddle, concertina or accordion! This experienced group of musicians has a history of performing regularly around the Twin Cities with a large repertoire of session tunes and not-so-well-known tunes since 2010. They strive to play great music together and have fun while they are at it.
New and interested students, please contact Brian Miller at dadgadguy@gmail.com before enrolling.
Reminder: All ensemble students need to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor to be in a CIM ensemble.
*In-Person Class*
Dáithí was born and raised in the city of Derry in the north of Ireland, a place where everybody seemed to have songs to sing. In these classes he will teach a variety of songs he loves and learnt from local singers including Seán Ó hÉalaí, Brian Mullen, Frank Shiels and Kevin Mitchell.
*In-Person Class*
Join fiddler Danny Diamond for a new adult ensemble at CIM, open to students who have not been in an adult ensemble before. This new group will learn tunes from Danny, building up a common repertoire that they enjoy playing together in a mixed group of instruments.
This ensemble is open to melody players (fiddle, flute, accordion, concertina, whistle, uilleann pipes, banjo, mandolin for example) who can play at least 10-15 tunes by ear at a reasonable speed. Accompanists (guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán etc) should have experience accompanying Irish tunes and be able to choose chords if needed. There is room for one or two accompanists in this group (guitar, bouzouki, bodhrán etc), so please contact Lily at lgaetgaeow@centerforirishmusic.org before registering.
Over time, the group may work on developing arrangements, songs, or wherever Danny decides to lead you! Regular private lessons on your principal ensemble instrument are required to be in a CIM ensemble, and generally ensembles run year-round, especially Fall and Spring (summer class depends on student & instructor availability). The first 60 minutes of class time is with the instructor, and the last 30 minutes, the group is self-led.
Reminder: All ensemble students need to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor to be in a CIM ensemble.
*In-Person Class*
“Why did King Brian march? Why does the Lark sing best?”
Behind every tune, there’s a story. Discover the vibrant history of five outstanding tunes and why they still matter to us today. Join CIM harp instructor Chad McAnally in a journey through this great music and it’s epic tales.
Open to all melody instruments.
*Hybrid Class*
This Fall, we will offer two sections of this class so students can participate remotely and in person at CIM. Please check the location ("Online" or "MULT" for in person) before registering.
Pub songs are raucous, tuneful, and above all, fun! But like the most intricate reel, you need skill and a concentrated approach to play and sing them well. Todd will teach the vocal techniques and rhythmic strategies needed to help you stand and deliver these wonderful ballads and drinking songs. All instruments encouraged.
*In-Person Class*
Kate will teach a lovely new whistle tune each week and introduce basic (optional) ornaments such as cuts and rolls. At the end of this course, you'll know a tune from every rhythm family! Each class will include some review of previously-learned tunes, so you will see your repertoire build each week.
All budding whistle players who know at least 3 tunes are welcome to join Kate!
*In-Person Class*
Folk belief in the Sidhe, or the Fairy people, was common throughout Irish history and made a lasting impact on Irish music and song. Join CIM Instructor Chad McAnally in learning some “otherworldly” music and its fascinating history.
Open to all instruments and voices
*Online Class*
From his long experience of developing and using the DADGAD guitar tuning playing with great groups such as Skara Brae, Trian, Altan and Fingal and individual greats such as Tommy Peoples, Liz Carroll, James Kelly and Paddy O’Brien, and even Dolly Parton, Dáithí has found DADGAD tuning to be a versatile avenue to interesting and beautiful guitar accompaniment.
In this class he looks forward to providing insights and advice on how to get the most out of your guitar playing through exploring the tuning and guidance for left-hand and right-hand playing.
