Make Up Week
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. PaulMake up week for Fall Term private lessons.
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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF CALENDAR OF 2024-25 CIM IMPORTANT DATES
First Day of Spring Term
First Day of Spring Term at the Center for Irish Music.
Uisce Gorm Adult Ensemble – CANCELLED
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person Class* Experience the enjoyment and challenge of playing music with others in a mixed instrument ensemble! Together, the group works on new and old repertoire, with Dáithí Sproule, a world-class instructor and performing musician, as mentor. Uisce Gorm currently has guitar, whistle, concertina/piano and fiddle. New members are very welcome! Contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org with questions.
$245
Starling Intermediate Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person Class* 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.
New members are very welcome, and should contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org to discuss.
Intermediate 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.
$252
Local Session Tunes – CANCELLED
Online Event MN*Online Class*
“Sessions” are gatherings of musicians playing traditional Irish music together, usually at a pub, but sometimes at other places such as parks, festivals, or someone’s kitchen! One of the most common questions asked by newcomers-to-sessions is for a “list” of commonly played tunes, presumably so they can set out to learn them. Having a tune in common with others provides an instant connection and is a way to feel more comfortable at sessions while you get to know other players.
Local fiddler and teacher Mary Vanorny attends many of the sessions in the Twin Cities and other areas, and has a vast repertoire of tunes learned from those sessions. In this class, Mary will play the most common tunes from the Twin Cities sessions at a moderate speed so that participants can learn or play along from the comfort of their own homes!
Additional Information:
Open to all students, there are no prerequisites or private lesson requirements for this class!
$99
Fleadh Information Meeting
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. PaulFleadh Information Meeting
Local Session Tunes
Online Event MN*Online Class*
“Sessions” are gatherings of musicians playing traditional Irish music together, usually at a pub, but sometimes at other places such as parks, festivals, or someone’s kitchen! One of the most common questions asked by newcomers-to-sessions is for a “list” of commonly played tunes, presumably so they can set out to learn them. Having a tune in common with others provides an instant connection and is a way to feel more comfortable at sessions while you get to know other players.
Local fiddler and teacher Mary Vanorny attends many of the sessions in the Twin Cities and other areas, and has a vast repertoire of tunes learned from those sessions. In this class, Mary will play the most common tunes from the Twin Cities sessions at a moderate speed so that participants can learn or play along from the comfort of their own homes!
Additional Information:
Open to all students, there are no prerequisites or private lesson requirements for this class!
$99
Advanced Youth Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*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, musicians from this group will perform at local festivals and events while developing unique and beautiful repertoire (and working on it in a group of mixed instruments), including the Irish Fair of Minnesota.
Students need to commit to travelling to the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in St. Louis on the weekend of May 12-14, 2023.
In 2022-23, Advanced Youth Ensemble musicians will be working with Norah Rendell directly, with artistic support from other CIM instructors through the year.
$300
Beginning Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person Class* Irish music is most fun when it is played with friends! Join Brian Miller for the Beginning Ensemble in 2022-23, an in-person class. 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!
All beginning ensemble students are required to take weekly private lessons from a CIM instructor. CIM instructors support learning the ensemble repertoire and reinforce technical & stylistic aspects of each student's instrument.
$150
An Luan Adult Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. PaulAn 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.
$210
Songs of Skara Brae
Online Event MNDáithí Sproule will share songs from the repertoire of this influential music group of the late 1960s, early 70s, renowned for their harmonies and innovative arrangements on guitars and keyboard. Though closely associated with the songs of Donegal, the band consisting of Tríona and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, their brother Mícheál and Dáithí himself actually sang a wide range of material in English and Irish, including some non-traditional songs. Dáithí looks forward to teaching a selection of this material not covered in the previous class.
$83
Celtic Cuties: Winter (Saturdays at 9:30am)
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person* Join Alisa and other families to learn the Winter collection of Celtic Cuties rhymes, finger plays, and songs! This year, we are excited to introduce CIM's brand new song book and CD for each of the four seasons. Each student will receive their Winter book and CD on their first day of class. The cost for these materials ($20) is included in the tuition fee. This 8 week class is a great way to introduce your little ones to Irish music and movement.
Please wear comfortable clothing and be ready to sit, stand and move around.
Sibling Discounts: Siblings under 6 months old are free and do not need to register. Siblings 6 months and up automatically receive 50% off their class fee.
NEW Registration Discount: Register your child in both Winter and Spring sessions by January 15 and receive $20 off. (Sibling discounts will also be automatically applied).
$120
Introduction to Tin Whistle for Adults
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In Person Class*
Join Kate Wade for an introduction to playing the Irish whistle. Also known as penny whistle, tin whistle, or feadóg stáin, this beautiful (and affordable) instrument is a core part of the great tradition of Irish music.
With 30 years’ experience teaching beginners, Kate will get you started with the basics of tone production, breathing and fingering techniques, and a simple new tune each week.
Everyone is welcome! Get your D whistle at Irish On Grand, or any of our local music stores like Cadenza or Groth Music.
Please make sure you have a whistle to play before the first class! Music will be taught by ear.
$99
Featured
Eigse CIM, a Gaela Event
Celtic Junction Arts Center 836 Prior Ave N, St Paul, MN, United StatesThe Center for Irish Music invites you to dress up in your finest and join us at the Celtic Junction Arts Center for Éigse CIM, a Gaela Event!
Éigse is an Irish word used for festivals celebrating traditional Irish arts and culture. It is in this spirit that we gather to raise funds for The Center for Irish Music, Minnesota's only traditional Irish music school, dedicated to handing down the tradition.
For our in-person guests, the evening includes a cocktail reception featuring delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts, a Celtic-art-themed silent auction, and a stellar traditional Irish music concert by Center for Irish Music instructors, who boast recording, award winning, and world touring artists among their number.
Virtual guests will have access to the Éigse CIM silent auction, as well as a high-quality livestream of the concert.
Celtic Cuties: Winter (Mondays at 4:45pm)
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person* Join Alisa and other families to learn the Winter collection of Celtic Cuties rhymes, finger plays, and songs! This year, we are excited to introduce CIM's brand new song book and CD for each of the four seasons. Each student will receive their Winter book and CD on their first day of class. The cost for these materials ($20) is included in the tuition fee. This 8 week class is a great way to introduce your little ones to Irish music and movement.
Please wear comfortable clothing and be ready to sit, stand and move around.
Sibling Discounts: Siblings under 6 months old are free and do not need to register. Siblings 6 months and up automatically receive 50% off their class fee.
NEW Registration Discount: Register your child in both Winter and Spring sessions by January 15 and receive $20 off. (Sibling discounts will also be automatically applied).
$120
Open Sky Adult Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. PaulOpen 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.
$228
Irish Traditional Songs – And Their Relatives
OnlineExplore the lyricism and melodic beauty of Irish traditional song with an eye to versions from other regions such as England, Scotland, and North America. Dáithí will share songs of love, history, local lore, and the Otherworld form his wide repertoire, provide simple helpful guide-lines to their performance, and play rare recordings of some of the great source singers. Dáithí’s background in Celtic lore and language, as well as his lifetime of stories and travels with musicians and singers, will fill in the fascinating background of the songs. Dáithí believes that everyone can and should sing, and if you’re going to sing, why not sing the most beautiful songs you can find? This class will feature both unaccompanied and accompanied song, and some songs in the Irish Gaelic language.
$99
Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. PaulThe tin whistle is a rewarding Irish instrument and a great fit for young musicians with small hands. Join Norah Rendell for a continuation of Fall Term's Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids, designed for musicians going into Kindergarten to grade 2. Norah will teach your child how to play polkas, marches, jigs and songs. Hands-on parental support is needed for regular practice at home.
New students should contact Norah Rendell (nrendell@centerforirishmusic.org) before registering.
$175
Redwing Intermediate Ensemble
The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul*In-Person Class* The Redwing Ensemble class is an intermediate level mixed-instrument ensemble. Directed by Hannah Flowers, 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 performance, increasing knowledge of traditional Irish music, and having fun with each other and the music!
New members are very welcome, but should contact us at admin@centerforirishmusic.org to be sure the ensemble is a good fit. Also, consider the Beginning ensemble on Thursdays with Brian Miller.
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.
$288
Irish Pub Songs
Hybrid Event 836 Prior Avenue South, St. Paul, MN, United States*Hybrid Class* This Spring, 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.
$215