Classes & Ensembles, Youth

*In-Person Class*

The tin whistle is a rewarding Irish instrument and a great fit for young musicians with small hands. Join Carmen Pasquerella for a brand new Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids class, designed for musicians going into Kindergarten to grade 2.

Carmen will teach your child how to play polkas, marches, and jigs. Hands-on parental support is needed for regular practice at home.

Norah's continuing whistle class will keep moving forward for a third year, this year working in some basic ornaments as we continue to solidify our rhythm, sense of pitch, playing-together skills through building our repertoire (more tunes).

This year, Norah will incorporate a few more songs for fun (and to learn a little bit of Irish), and to help with pitch development.

In addition to CIM holidays, this class will not meet on December 17.

Email nrendell@centerforirishmusic.org with any questions.

Prerequisites: Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids, Year 2: Summer

*In-Person Class*

The Swallowtail Ensemble class is an intermediate level mixed-instrument ensemble.

Directed by Hannah Flowers with support from Carmen Pasquerella, students will learn tunes and arrange them in sets to perform together as a group. This class has a strong focus on building ensemble skills including playing fluently, adding variations, listening to each other, maintaining excellent rhythm, using simple harmonies, preparing for performances, increasing knowledge of traditional Irish music, and having fun with each other and the music!

Save the date for the Center for Irish Music Ensemble Holiday Concert at the Celtic Junction Arts Center on Saturday, November 23rd at 3:00pm.

New members are welcome, but should contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org to be sure the ensemble is a good fit.

Reminder: Intermediate ensemble students are required to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor. Private lessons with CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument. Financial aid is available.

*In-Person Class*

The Center for Irish Music Advanced Youth Ensemble (AYE) is a year-round program for experienced youth musicians who love to play with others, arrange music and perform. Musicians in this ensemble have a large repertoire of tunes, learn quickly by ear and have the skills to play Irish traditional music with great rhythm and style. Throughout the year, this ensemble will perform at local festivals and events while developing unique and beautiful repertoire (and working on it in a group of mixed instruments), including Éigse (2/24/25) and the Irish Fair of Minnesota.

In 2024-25, Advanced Youth Ensemble musicians will be working with Brian Miller, with artistic support from other CIM instructors throughout the year.

Save the date for the Center for Irish Music Ensemble Holiday Concert at the Celtic Junction Arts Center on Saturday, November 23rd at 3:00pm and Éigse, A Gaela Event on Saturday, February 24, 2025.

Students in the Advanced Youth Ensemble need to commit to traveling to the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in Chicago on the weekend of April 25-27, 2025.

In addition to CIM holidays, this class will not meet on October 16.

Reminder: Advanced Youth Ensemble students are required to take weekly private lessons from a CIM instructor. Private lessons with CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument. Financial aid is available.

*In-Person Class*

Directed by Mary Vanorny, the Starling Ensemble is a fun and challenging class for intermediate-advanced musicians who are well on their way with Irish music. Starling Ensemble students know lots of tunes and can play them with solid rhythm and groove.

Save the date for the Center for Irish Music Ensemble Holiday Concert at the Celtic Junction Arts Center on Saturday, November 23rd at 3:00pm.

Mark your calendars for the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in Chicago on the weekend of April 25-27, 2025. Often, members of this ensemble will participate in group competitions. Group competition plans for the 2025 Fleadh are tbd.

New members are welcome, but should contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org to be sure the ensemble is a good fit.

In addition to CIM holidays, this class will not meet on: October 16, December 18.

Reminder: Ensemble students are required to take private lessons from a CIM instructor. Private lessons with CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument. Financial aid is available.

*In-Person Class*

The Redwing Ensemble class is an intermediate level mixed-instrument ensemble.

Directed by Norah Rendell, students will learn tunes and arrange them in sets to perform together as a group. This class has a strong focus on building ensemble skills including playing fluently, adding variations, listening to each other, maintaining excellent rhythm, using simple harmonies, preparing for performances, increasing knowledge of traditional Irish music, and having fun with each other and the music!

New members are welcome, but should contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org to be sure the ensemble is a good fit.

In addition to CIM holidays, this class will not meet on October 18, December 19.

Reminder: Ensemble students are required to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor. CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument. Financial aid is available.

*In Person Class*

Irish music is most fun when it is played with friends! Join Hannah Flowers for a new Beginning Ensemble this 2024-25 school year. This mixed-instrument ensemble is open to young musicians who know about 10-15 full-length Irish tunes (jigs, reels, or polkas). This class is a great opportunity to meet new Irish music friends who play different instruments, and to improve your Irish music skills which include learning music by ear, rhythm, pitch and repertoire!

Reminder: Ensemble students are required to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor. CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument. Financial aid is available.