Irish Music School

Sheehans Open House 2008

turlach — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:40:16 +0000

Just two intrepid students represented the Music school at Sheehan’s Open house this past Saturday. Captured here on blurry cellphone photos are Kat Land and Michael Allen making me proud.

Irish Music Workshops in Tulsa - Sep 1 & 2, 2008

turlach — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:47:41 +0000

The members of Slide (Ireland), winners of Irish Music Magazine’s Best Newcomer award in 2001 and the Young Musicwide Award in 2006, have agreed to teach a series of workshops and private lessons in Tulsa on September 1 and 2 during their U.S. tour (which is sponsored in part by Culture Ireland). This is a don’t miss opportunity for musicians interested in learning more about playing Irish music or perfecting their technique. All the band members have significant teaching experience, have been involved in adjudicating competitions, and have arranged and directed groups of musicians.

Monday, Sep 1 is dedicated to workshops:

3:00-4:15pm Fiddle
3:00-4:15pm Whistle

4:30-5:45pm Accompaniment (bouzouki/mandolin/4 string tenor banjo/guitar/bodhran)

6:00-7:15pm Guitar
6:00-7:15pm Flute

7:30-8:45pm Singing
7:30-8:45pm Session Playing

Tuesday, Sep 2 is dedicated to private lessons. To schedule a private lesson, contact Melissa at melissaltatum@yahoo.com or 918.724.8722. Private lessons are $25 for 30 minutes and $40 for an hour

Each workshop is limited to 8 people, so advance registration is strongly encouraged. Please note that these workshops are not beginner workshops - each student is expected to know how to play their instrument. The workshops will be focused on technique and style for playing Irish music. Contact Melissa at melissaltatum@yahoo.com or 918.724.8722 for more information, to register for a workshop, and/or sign up for a private lesson. Please provide your name, contact information, instrument(s) and musical experience. The registration fee for each workshop is $30, with the exception of the Session Playing workshop, which is $15.

All workshops will be held in John Rogers Hall on the University of Tulsa Campus. The location of the private lessons will be announced once the schedule is determined.

Grants galore

turlach — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:15:25 +0000

The music school has received a grant from the Kansas City Irish Festival to start a music library. The grant will be used to buy tune books, books about Irish Music and some recordings. We have a verbal agreement that the collection will be kept at The Irish Museum and Cultural Center for use by students and the general public.

Also, resourceful whistle student Connor Spencer received an apprentice grant from the State of Missouri to study with whistle teacher Turlach. We studied the playing and recordings of several influential whistle players, and attempted to describe the unique elements of their music and technique.

Whistle classes restart.

turlach — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 23:50:39 +0000

After a longer than expected break, a bunch of intrepid students started or continued on their path to whistle mastery at the weekly classes in Unions Station tonight. There are still places available in the classes, so, if you’re a last minute person like me then call or email and we’ll get you fixed up!

Rosie wins awards!

turlach — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:53:41 +0000

Whistle student Rosie Cutrer is a professional storyteller in her real life, touring through the nearby states educating and entertaining as she goes. This spring she produced two storytelling CDs titled Mr. Bun and Other Stories and The Blackthorn Walking Stick and Other Tales. We just got word that both of her CDs were recognized by The Children’s Music Web in their annual awards. Congratulations!

Sheehan’s Open House

turlach — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 00:51:25 +0000

Sheehan’s Irish Imports in Westport had their annual pre-Christmas open house this weekend, and some intrepid students from the Monday night Union Station tinwhistle classes flaunted their new abilities to a small but appreciative audience. Courtesy of Turlach’s photographer wife Katherine, here are the pictures of Randall, Garrett, James, Kat, Erin and Brian leading the way as instructor Turlach marvelled at their courage!

The Irish Festival workshop

turlach — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 21:58:34 +0000

We have some photographs from this past weekend at the Kansas City Irish Festival. Fiddle instructor Dave Agee joined Turlach for a couple of tunes before heading home for some much needed rest after playing several sets in the sun with Mr Stinky Feet, Jim Cosgrove. After Dave left, Turlach finished the workshop, fiercely promoting the school to a worthy audience.

Music in Atchison

turlach — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:43:16 +0000

The Celtic club up at Benedictine college in Atchison has started a slow session. It’s a great resource for anyone who can’t make it to our lessons, and for any students who want to make the trip. Here’s what John Bunch had to say:

Our session up here in Atchison has started and we have had two good weeks! The attendees are mostly students with little experience in Irish music but lots of energy.

This fall we are starting the open (slow) session at 8:30. We are also running a SLOW SLOW ensemble “class” from 7:30-8:30 for people who do not have any background in the music.

More information about BOTH can be found on our new web page which is where we will post updates on our events (stay tuned for some exciting news about concerts and ceili’s which are in the process of being scheduled).

http://home.earthlink.net/~bc_celticclub

And we are on myspace here:

http://www.myspace.com/bccelticclub

Irish Fest this weekend

turlach — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:46:21 +0000

This is the big weekend for Irish music in Kansas city with the Irish Fest in full swing. There’s a smattering of traditional music with Cumasc, Beoga, Jimmy Crowley, The Fuchsia Band and big name band Solas. With all that excitement, don’t forget to support the local bands trying to make their mark.

Flute and whistle instructor Turlach Boylan will be presenting a workshop at the Heritage tent on Sunday at 5:00pm. If you’re interested in getting started with lessons at the school, it would be a good way to get initiated.

Classes resume in September

turlach — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:18:01 +0000

The next ten week series of group classes will begin in September. Whistle classes at Union Station will be on Monday evenings beginning September 17th. Fiddle classes at Dave Agee’s home in Overland Park will be on Wednesdays beginning Sept 19th. Here is the press release for the whistle classes.

KC SCHOOL OF IRISH MUSIC
TINWHISTLE CLASSES RESUME AT UNION STATION
MONDAY SEP 17TH

The tinwhistle is the simplest and least expensive instrument in Irish music, yet capable of producing exceptional music in the hands of a master. The fingering system is straightforward and it is small and portable, making it the perfect instrument for children and beginners.

Instructor Turlach Boylan grew up on a farm in County Derry, the oldest of seven children. He began playing Irish music in earnest on the flute at the age of 16 studying with County Antrim flute master John Kennedy. Turlach has lived in the US since 1989, and toured extensively with the traditional band Glen Road, performing for audiences of all ages.

A reviewer for Dirty Linen, the premier American Folk magazine described a track from Turlach’s album Shame The Devil as ‘probably the best recording of tinwhistle music I have ever heard’ In addition to flute and whistle Turlach plays Irish music on banjo and mandolin.

Monday night tin whistle classes begin in September 2007 at the Irish Cultural Center & Museum in Union Station. The plans are to hold two group classes; One for beginners, the other for returning students.

You will need:
- A tin whistle in the key of D.
- To be 8 years or older.
- Parental consent if 16 or under.
- To commit to 10 weeks of classes.