2024-25 IMPORTANT CIM DATES | 

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Open Sky Adult Ensemble

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

Reminder: All ensemble students need to take regular private lessons from a CIM instructor to be in a CIM ensemble.

$294

Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids, Year 1: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$164

Swallowtail Intermediate Ensemble: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$314

Session Playing: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

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!

$288

Advanced Youth Ensemble: Spring

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, 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.

$326

Starling Intermediate Ensemble: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$326

An Luan Adult Ensemble: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$294

Redwing Intermediate Ensemble: Spring

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 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.

$314

Corncrake Beginning Ensemble: Spring

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 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.

$235

Easy Whistle Tunes for Adults: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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!

$206

Irish Myths and Legends: Spring

Online

*Online Class*

We are lucky enough to have an abundance of old stories preserved in manuscripts dealing with Otherworld creatures and legendary kings, queens and heroes. In this class Dáithí and students will be reading translations of the old myths and legends — these always give rise to fascinating and entertaining conversations, often with lessons for the present. This class will be dealing with stories not covered in previous sessions.

$144

Meitheal Ensemble: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$274

Singing Sweeties: Spring (Feb-May)

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*In-Person Class*

In this drop-off class, children ages five to seven will explore traditional Irish music and learn fundamental music concepts through songs, rhymes, movement, instrument play, and listening exercises. Parents and caregivers are welcome to participate for the first two sessions.

$108

Sprouting Songsters: A Singing Class for Kids

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*In-Person Class*

For kids ages 8-10 (grade 2-4). This class for wee aspiring singers will introduce kids to Irish traditional songs in English and Irish Gaelic with singer, flute & piano player Adrienne O'Shea. Adrienne will emphasize learning by ear and how to use the voice in a traditional setting. Kids will have great fun as they bring the stories of these lovely old songs to life!

$69

Irish Pub Songs: Spring

The Center for Irish Music 836 Prior Avenue North, Ste. 400, St. Paul

*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.

$234

Éigse CIM, a Gaela Event

The Celtic Junction 836 Prior Ave North, Suite 400, St Paul, MN

Join us for an unforgettable celebration in support of the Center for Irish Music!

IAM Day of Irish Dance

Landmark Center 75 W 5th St, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States

Join us for the Irish Arts MN "Day of Irish Dance" at the Landmark Center!

Closed for St. Patrick’s Day

The Center for Irish Music is closed for St. Patrick's Day. Join us at the Landmark Center for the IAM St. Patrick's Day celebration!