The 60s were an amazing era for growth in Irish music, with the development of new ways of presenting and arranging the music and the incredible popularity of folk and traditional music among the general public — everybody knew and sang the songs. Dáithí is looking forward to walking down memory lane and playing and teaching some of the music from the time and telling the story of the folk clubs and folk and traditional acts of the era (some now little known or forgotten in America), an era that laid the foundations for everything that has come since.

*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.

*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!

Dáithí 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.

Explore 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.