CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PDF CALENDAR OF 2024-25 CIM IMPORTANT DATES
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.
*Online Class*
Each week Dáithí Sproule will bring in some songs to learn from a different singer—some better known than others, but all exponents of fine traditional style and deserving of appreciation. It will be a wonderful way to enjoy the breadth and depth of the tradition and learn some great songs!
*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.
*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.
Summer Term Registration Deadline for Group Classes & Family Discount
The Center for Irish Music is closed for Memorial Day.
Make up week for Spring Term private lessons.
Open to all CIM youth musicians!
Join us for for Minnesota Irish Music Weekend! Presented by the Center for Irish Music, Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is a unique festival that pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages for a weekend of workshops, lectures, sessions and concerts. Each of our visiting artists is recognized for their musical mastery, and will offer insights and techniques to help learners tap into the deep roots of traditional Irish music.
First Day of Summer Term at the Center for Irish Music.
*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.
*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.
*In-Person Class*
A continuation of Spring Term's "Introduction to Tin Whistle for Adults" 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!
*In-Person Class*
Are you a little intimidated by the idea of going out to a session, even a learner session? You are not alone! Even slow sessions can move too fast, or can be intimidating if you don't have a buddy to bring you along, introduce you, and play the tunes you know. This class is a great, safe way to experience a 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*
The tin whistle is a rewarding Irish instrument and a great fit for young musicians with small hands. Join Norah Rendell and Carmen Pasquerella for a continuation of this year's Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids class, designed for musicians going into Kindergarten to grade 2.
Norah & Carmen will continue to build your child's skills (adding an ornament or two) as you learn a few new tunes this summer: polkas, marches, jigs and songs. Hands-on parental support is needed for regular practice at home.
*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 perform at local festivals and events, including the Irish Fair of Minnesota, while developing unique and beautiful repertoire (and working on it in a group of mixed instruments).
In summer 2023, our working plan is to expand the group's repertoire with new material and arrangements over 7 classes (6/21, 6/28, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9). Some members will be travelling to Ireland for the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (August 6-13) and others will be here for the Irish Fair of Minnesota (August 11-13). If we have enough people for one of the groups to compete in Ireland, rehearsals will be scheduled during the AYE class time (in a break-out room with an extra instructor).
Additional Information:
Reminder: Weekly private lessons on principal ensemble instrument from a CIM instructor are required. 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*
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.
The Center for Irish Music is closed for Independence Day.
*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.
*In-Person Class*
A musical ramble through the north of Ireland, taking in Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone, up the Glens of Antrim and down the shores of Strangford Lough. Sharing archival resources, stories, and quirky tunes with an emphasis on strathspeys, highlands marches, quadrilles, polkas and other tunes beyond the usual fare of jigs and reels. The class will be lead by Belfast-born CIM fiddle tutor, performer and researcher, Danny Diamond.
