*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.
*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.
*In-Person Class*
Irish music is most fun when it is played with friends! This is a new Beginning Ensemble for the 2023-24 school year. Directed by Hannah Flowers with support from Carmen Pasquerella, 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!
*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. Please note that in addition to CIM holidays, this class will not be meet on: September 26, October 24, or November 28.
*In-Person Class*
Dáithí Sproule looks forward to another in-person gathering in which he will share and teach some great traditional songs in English and Irish with an emphasis on singing them together and making up simple arrangements. It’s sure to be fun!
*Online Class*
This fall, join Dáithí Sproule in exploring the rich repertoire of Eddie Butcher (May 8, 1900 – September 8, 1980) whose singing is considered by many to exemplify the sound of the north Derry tradition. A prolific collector of hundreds of traditional songs, classical ballads, and song fragments (many of which he had learned from his father and his wife's family), Butcher influenced such Irish powerhouses as Andy Irvine, Paul Brady, Frank Harte, Len Graham, and Joe Holmes. Don't miss your chance to learn some of the gorgeous songs from his collection!
*Online Class*
Poetry has always been one of the glories of Irish culture. In this class Dáithí Sproule will share a selection of Irish language poetry in English translation, choosing examples from as early as the 6th century up to the present day and filling in the historical and literary background. Dáithí looks forward to students bringing their own particular interests and loves to the conversation.
*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.
*Online Class*
This is the period in which Irish history begins, a dazzling and complex world, quite unlike ours, of many competing kingdoms and dynasties whose place in society was built through force, but bolstered by mythology and the learned orders of poets, historians and judges. It was a Christian period of monasteries overlaying deep pre-Christian Celtic tradition where great art, beautiful poetry and a rich a varied literature were fostered, and also the era when the Viking invasions came, which destroyed much but contributed much as well. Dáithí Sproule will provide a window into this fascinating world.
*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.
*In-Person Class*
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 Spring, we're offering two Session Playing classes. Sign up for one, or both!
This class will focus on melody players, but accompanists are welcome as well!
*In-Person Class*
Irish music is most fun when it is played with friends! Directed by Hannah Flowers with support from Carmen Pasquerella, this new mixed-instrument ensemble is open to young musicians who know about 10 full-length Irish tunes (jigs, reels, or polkas). This class is a great opportunity to meet new Irish music friends while working on music skills such as playing with others, learning music by ear, rhythm, and building some repertoire!
*In-Person Class*
Dáithí Sproule looks forward to another in-person gathering in which he will share and teach some great traditional songs in English and Irish with an emphasis on singing them together. Everyone can and should sing — and singing and enjoying lovely songs together in a judgment free environment is what this class is all about.
*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.
*In Person Class*
Are you ready to take the leap and learn a lovely collection of Irish tunes entirely by ear?
This class will be geared towards beginner to early intermediate level students and will include exercises to help you gain a basic understanding of your instrument. The goal is to be able to sit down with your instrument and play any tune you have in your head!
*In-Person Class*
Kate will teach a lovely new whistle tune each week and introduce basic (optional) ornaments such as cuts and rolls. 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!
Please note that in addition to CIM holidays, this class will not be meet on: February 27, March 26, April 23.
*In-person Class*
Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) is celebrated today as Ireland’s national composer. CIM harp instructor Chad McAnally is your guide as we explore the music of this beloved Irish harper and bring it to life. Learn some fabulously gorgeous tunes and the remarkable stories behind them. Not just for harpers! Open to all melody instruments.
*Online class*
We derive our inspiration from listening to the greats. In this course Dáithí Sproule will introduce you to a variety of great Irish instrumentalists and singers — and examine the fascinating question of what makes each one great. Dáithí has found it immensely helpful and rewarding when on his musical path he has been fortunate enough be pointed towards a certain musician or singer as worthy of closer listening and learning — he hopes to pass some of that on.
*In-Person Class*
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 Spring, we're offering two Session Playing classes. Sign up for one, or both!
This class will focus on melody players, but accompanists are welcome as well!
*Online Class*
No other Irish traditional singer or song collector ever amassed such a large and wide-ranging repertoire as Dublin man Frank Harte (1933-2005). Though renowned for his Dublin street ballads and Napoleonic pieces, he sang all sorts of old songs, always with intimacy, joy and commitment, and left behind his collection of field recordings of as many as 15,000 song performances by other singers. We are lucky that Frank recorded many wonderful albums that are still available, and we will select from these to sing and learn in class.