"There's clearly been a considerable amount of imagination and devotion put into the making of A Christmas Cornucopia, whose origins lie in Annie Lennox's pre-teen endeavours as a chorister.
Technically unimpeachable, the layered harmonies of songs such as 'Angels From The Realms Of Glory' and 'The Holly And The Ivy' are rendered with razor-sharp precision, though there's a stridency to her delivery on some pieces – the refrain to 'Lullay, Lullay', and the eerie, choral harmonies bookending 'Il Est Ne Le Devin Enfant' – which borders on scary. But her 'In The Bleak Midwinter' is perfectly poised, and the imaginative use of tin whistle, string drone and darbuka drum brings an intriguing Middle-Eastern medieval character to 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'."
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Catholic Memorial students study Irish culture - West Roxbury, MA - Wicked Local West Roxbury
"Students in Ms. Mary Concannon's Irish Studies class at Catholic Memorial School are typically immersed for the year in all aspects of Irish culture.
But this fall, their immersion took a hands-on approach as they picked up Irish tin whistles and learned the art of the traditional Irish musical form.
Leading them was guest instructor Andrea Mori, who teaches tin whistle in Irish Studies programs at Harvard and BC. Mori is an active musician with the Boston Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, a music school that promotes traditional Irish music.
'They're awesome,' Mori said of the CM students she is instructing for six consecutive weeks. 'They sound 'brilliant,' as they'd say in Ireland.'"
But this fall, their immersion took a hands-on approach as they picked up Irish tin whistles and learned the art of the traditional Irish musical form.
Leading them was guest instructor Andrea Mori, who teaches tin whistle in Irish Studies programs at Harvard and BC. Mori is an active musician with the Boston Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, a music school that promotes traditional Irish music.
'They're awesome,' Mori said of the CM students she is instructing for six consecutive weeks. 'They sound 'brilliant,' as they'd say in Ireland.'"
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Give a little whistle at traditional music workshops
"YOUNGSTERS were hitting all the right notes at musical workshops held to celebrate an international sporting competition in Inverness.
More than 20 children from primary five to seven, attended the free sessions at Inverness Ice Rink on Saturday before Scotland and Ireland faced off in the shinty and hurling match at Bught Park.
The children were given the chance to learn traditional songs on the accordion and tin whistle and play a game of shinty.
The events were organised by Feis Ros in partnership with the Camanachd Association. David Nisbet, a science teacher at Kingussie High School, took the accordion workshops."
More than 20 children from primary five to seven, attended the free sessions at Inverness Ice Rink on Saturday before Scotland and Ireland faced off in the shinty and hurling match at Bught Park.
The children were given the chance to learn traditional songs on the accordion and tin whistle and play a game of shinty.
The events were organised by Feis Ros in partnership with the Camanachd Association. David Nisbet, a science teacher at Kingussie High School, took the accordion workshops."
Friday, November 5, 2010
Kan
"A COLLABORATION between some of the finest folk artists on the circuit will appear as Kan in Bury on November 12.
Brian Finnegan and Aidan O'Rourke, front men with possibly the two most revered bands ever to have thrilled the folk scene, Flook and Lau, join forces with Ian Stephenson and Jim Goodwin, two of the brightest stars in the world of rhythm, to travel a daring and innovative new musical path.
Irish flute and whistle genius Brian Finnegan has been in the studio working on a solo album since the legendary, BBC Award Winning Flook took an extended break at the end of last year. This new album, a collection of almost entirely his own compositions, is due for release later in the year."
Brian Finnegan and Aidan O'Rourke, front men with possibly the two most revered bands ever to have thrilled the folk scene, Flook and Lau, join forces with Ian Stephenson and Jim Goodwin, two of the brightest stars in the world of rhythm, to travel a daring and innovative new musical path.
Irish flute and whistle genius Brian Finnegan has been in the studio working on a solo album since the legendary, BBC Award Winning Flook took an extended break at the end of last year. This new album, a collection of almost entirely his own compositions, is due for release later in the year."
Kan
"A COLLABORATION between some of the finest folk artists on the circuit will appear as Kan in Bury on November 12.
Brian Finnegan and Aidan O'Rourke, front men with possibly the two most revered bands ever to have thrilled the folk scene, Flook and Lau, join forces with Ian Stephenson and Jim Goodwin, two of the brightest stars in the world of rhythm, to travel a daring and innovative new musical path.
Irish flute and whistle genius Brian Finnegan has been in the studio working on a solo album since the legendary, BBC Award Winning Flook took an extended break at the end of last year. This new album, a collection of almost entirely his own compositions, is due for release later in the year."
Brian Finnegan and Aidan O'Rourke, front men with possibly the two most revered bands ever to have thrilled the folk scene, Flook and Lau, join forces with Ian Stephenson and Jim Goodwin, two of the brightest stars in the world of rhythm, to travel a daring and innovative new musical path.
Irish flute and whistle genius Brian Finnegan has been in the studio working on a solo album since the legendary, BBC Award Winning Flook took an extended break at the end of last year. This new album, a collection of almost entirely his own compositions, is due for release later in the year."
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Tin whistle downloads at whistletunes.org
Tin whistle tunes and tutorials. Mp3, MP4 video and sheet music downloads.
http://www.whistletunes.org
Friday, September 24, 2010
Arts & entertainment calendar
"The Lintuhtine Music Academy of Oromocto at Studio L, Oromocto Arts & Learning Centre is still accepting registration until Tuesday, Sept. 28.
The academy offers music programs for ages three to 70-plus through choirs, ukulele, and tin whistle.
For further information contact director Helen M�rag McKinnon at 357-3838 or website www.freelakepromotions.com."
The academy offers music programs for ages three to 70-plus through choirs, ukulele, and tin whistle.
For further information contact director Helen M�rag McKinnon at 357-3838 or website www.freelakepromotions.com."
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tin Whistle Workshop
The Ottawa Folklore Centre has created the Pass It Down workshop series, which will take place at this year's Ottawa Folk Festival! The workshops are all free with your festival admission, and will be located in the OFC tent on the festival grounds.
Our 20 earliest registrants for the Tin Whistle workshop will receive a free whistle to use during the workshop and take home with them. To register now, visit www.ofcmusic.ca. Registration opens on July 20th!
For ticket information and other Ottawa Folk Festival details, visit www.ottawafolk.org.
We created these video tutorials as a means of introduction to our workshop instructors, as well as a tool for review once you have attended one of our workshops.
Our 20 earliest registrants for the Tin Whistle workshop will receive a free whistle to use during the workshop and take home with them. To register now, visit www.ofcmusic.ca. Registration opens on July 20th!
For ticket information and other Ottawa Folk Festival details, visit www.ottawafolk.org.
We created these video tutorials as a means of introduction to our workshop instructors, as well as a tool for review once you have attended one of our workshops.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Achill whistle blowers enter the record books
Achill whistle blowers enter the record books: "They came, they saw and they whistled. A grand total of 1,055 people converged on Keel beach on Achill Island on Saturday afternoon last armed with nothing but their tin whistles and the notes in their heads of one of Ireland’s best known songs.
When they were finished they were nearly certain that they had entered the Guinness Book of Records for a gathering of the greatest number of tin whistle players playing the same tune. All that waits now is official confirmation from Guinness."
When they were finished they were nearly certain that they had entered the Guinness Book of Records for a gathering of the greatest number of tin whistle players playing the same tune. All that waits now is official confirmation from Guinness."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Street musician guilty of mischief for cutting out his competition
Image via Wikipedia
Raymond Loomer, 47, was placed on probation for a year and ordered to perform 20 hours of community service after being found guilty of two counts of mischief under $5,000 for damage he caused to the underpass near the Rideau Centre.
Loomer, who has played a tin whistle in the underpass for 15 years, was charged last May after a section of the radio cable was cut and stuck to the office door of the Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Area, which has management responsibility for the underpass.
Ontario Court Justice David Wake also ordered Loomer to stay out of the underpass "unless engaged in the lawful pursuit of his profession as a musician or busker" and told him to stay away from the Rideau BIA offices.
However, the judge declined to order him to repay the damages since Loomer can't afford to cover the costs.
"You have to respect the property of others," the judge told Loomer while sentencing him, adding that he hoped Loomer's musical talents could be put to good use as part of his community service.
Loomer, who acted on his own behalf in court, argued he had no choice but to cut the wire in order to make a living.
"You have to hit the high-traffic areas. That area has acoustics, it has rolling sound," he said outside court. "I'm sorry I did it, but not only did I benefit, several guys had brighter Christmases."
Loomer subpoenaed Mayor Larry O'Brien in December to testify at his trial.
He said O'Brien told him the city-installed speaker was not meant to interfere with street musicians. The speaker is one of several measures designed to improve the underpass, once a popular spot for the homeless.
In a letter sent to O'Brien last month, Loomer wrote that the mayor had been walking through the underpass in April when he stopped and compared Loomer's music to that of the title character in The Friendly Giant, a long-running children's TV show. Loomer wrote that he pointed out the radio speaker and told the mayor it was interfering with his business.
Wake ruled that O'Brien and a city lawyer wouldn't have to take the stand to testify since whatever they would say wasn't relevant to the charges laid against Loomer.
aseymour@thecitizen.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen
Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Street+musician+guilty+mischief+cutting+competition/3071019/story.html#ixzz0p838e8Be
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Wooden Flute Maintenance
Wooden Flute Maintenance
Here are some pointers for maintaining an Irish wooden flute. If you have bought your instrument directly from a maker, ask him or her for maintenance advice.
Here are some pointers for maintaining an Irish wooden flute. If you have bought your instrument directly from a maker, ask him or her for maintenance advice.
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Friday, March 5, 2010
Stacey is whistling her way to the top
A tin whistle player from Ballymahon Road, Mullingar was delighted to win the Senior Solo Instrument category of the All Ireland Pioneer Readoiri Competition in Limerick on Sunday, writes Glyn Semple.
Stacey Hogg, 17, won through five stages of the competition, beginning in October, before reaching the final.
When the judges announced the winner they called out 'Leinster' rather than her name so it took her a few seconds to realise she had won.
"I was so shocked," she said. "I didn't really understand at first."
In the final she played a jig called Over the Mountains and a slow air called Eileen Eivers.
Stacey told the Westmeath Examiner she was very grateful to her family and all who supported her, particularly Peter and Dermot Fagan.
Stacey has been playing the instrument for nine years and is only one exam away from qualifying to teach it.
She is studying a PLC course at Mullingar Community College.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Whistle tutorial - Tommy Coen's Reel 2 - Ornamentation
Learn a tune on Irish Whistle with Tradschool Part 2 of a 2-part video tutorial for Tommy Coen's Reel Here the reel is played slowly, with ornamentation. More Irish music at http://tradschool.com
Friday, January 29, 2010
Achill school to take part in world record attempt
A world record attempt by Scoil Acla, the longest-established summer school in Ireland, will take place on Achill's 5km-long Keel Strand on July 31 as part of Scoil Acla's 1910 to 2010 centenary celebrations, bringing together the most tin whistle players ever in one place to play the same tune.
Scoil Acla pupils, past pupils, local people, and visitors alike will take part in the Guinness Book of World Records’ tin whistle attempt. To be involved, you will have to learn ‘Fáinne Geal an Lae’. See a filmed tutorial on www.scoilacla.com. For further information, contact Scoil Acla at 098 47353.
Scoil Acla pupils, past pupils, local people, and visitors alike will take part in the Guinness Book of World Records’ tin whistle attempt. To be involved, you will have to learn ‘Fáinne Geal an Lae’. See a filmed tutorial on www.scoilacla.com. For further information, contact Scoil Acla at 098 47353.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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