2025-26 CIM SCHOOL CALENDAR

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Irish Fair of Minnesota

Harriet Island 175 W Water St, St. Paul, United States

Join Center for Irish Music students and instructors at the Irish Fair of Minnesota!

Make Up Week for Summer Term

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

Make up week for Summer Term private lessons.

First Day of Fall Term

First Day of Fall Term at the Center for Irish Music. Youth ensembles start the week of September 9th.

Session Playing: Fall

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!

$321

Irish Poetry in Translation: Fall

Online

*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.

$151

An Luan Ensemble: Fall

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.

$366

Introduction to Tin Whistle for Kids: Fall

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.

$187

Easy Whistle Tunes for Adults: Fall

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!

$216

Sprouting Songsters: Fall

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!

$86

Open Sky Ensemble: Fall

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.

$388

Swallowtail Intermediate Ensemble: Fall

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.

$330

Irish Pub Songs: Fall

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.

$284

Advanced Youth Ensemble: Fall

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.

$343

Starling Intermediate Ensemble: Fall

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.

$320

Corncrake Beginning Ensemble: Fall

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.

$216

Redwing Intermediate Ensemble: Fall

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.

$288