Recognition - Ottawa Ceili Band

Alf and Elizabeth 

On Saturday 17 March 2017 at our St. Patrick's Day event, we recognized and celebrated the leads of our céilí band, Alf Warnock and Elizabeth Scarlett.

The chair of Ottawa Irish Arts presented to Alf and Elizabeth this appreciation award on behalf of Ottawa Irish Arts for more than 20 years service and dedication to the traditional music community.

Alf Warnock and Elizabeth Scarlett have been involved in local traditional music since at least the 1980s when there was a traditional session at Rasputin’s.  By about 1997 Alf and Elizabeth ran the Rasputin’s session until Rasputin’s was destroyed by fire in 2008. By Elizabeth’s estimate, they played one or two sessions a week from 1984 to 2008.

Elizabeth taught fiddle at the Ottawa Folklore Centre in the 1990s, and had started some Celtic groups that formed the roots of what later became some of the local slow jams. 

Alf and Elizabeth have also been involved in the Ottawa Fiddle Club, and probably any other fiddle group that’s come and gone.

Alf, juggling his schedule, continues to play traditional Irish music with us, while also performing in local jazz ensembles.

For as long as I’ve been involved with this branch of Comhaltas, Alf and Elizabeth have ably and consistently served as leaders of the Comhaltas (now Ottawa Irish Arts) ceili band, more than 10 years, and they rarely, and I mean rarely, miss a gig.

Thank you Alf and Elizabeth!
Go raibh míle maith agat!

C. Hamm
Ottawa Irish Arts, Chairperson || Cathaoirleach 

"Strike the Harp," Celtic Music for Christmas

Susan Toman has two upcoming Celtic Christmas concerts with her group Hibernia (Susan Toman, harp; Ellen MacIsaac, singer) with special guest piper/whistle Ross Davison. 

Friday December 2, 7:30PM - Metcalfe United Church, 2677 8th Line Rd, Metcalfe ON. Tickets $20 at the door or on Eventbrite here: www.eventbrite.com/e/strike-the-harp-tickets-28951744447

Saturday December 3, 7:30 - Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Lisgar, Ottawa ON. 

Tickets $20 at the door or on Eventbrite here: www.eventbrite.com/e/strike-the-harp-tickets-29411200693 

The Dance Exchange

Traditional dances from Brittany, Burgundy and Scotland to the music of Emily Stram & friend, and Fiddlehead Soup.

Friday 25th November, 8PM at the Churchill Senior's Recreation Centre, 345 Richmond Rd at Churchill Ave. Ottawa, ON.
Tickets $12.

Doug Hendry is part of a trio that is hosting a folk dance exchange in Ottawa on November 25th. In this instance they'll be doing dances from Brittany, Burgundy and Scotland. They hope that all celtic dancers might like to go and try these dances. 

Their event website is http://balfolkottawa.weebly.com for more information contact fiddleheadsoup@gmail.com 

Bring your dancing shoes!

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann 2015 Spring Tulip Ball

The Ottawa Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, once again have the pleaseure to invite you to attend the  

2015 Spring Tulip Ball

Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled.

The Spring Tulip Ball, besides being a fundraiser for CCÉ Youth, is a terrific opportunity for young people and formerly young people to get together, dress up (attire is semiformal to formal) and celebrate the arrival of Spring, tulips and just being alive. 

The beautiful residence of the Irish Ambassador to Canada is a perfect setting for this elegant and enjoyable evening, and we appreciate his making it available. 

 

Soft drinks and water will be available at the bar. Finger foods will also be available.

The award-winning Ottawa Comhaltas Band will provide the music and there will be dancing for those that are interested.

Come and join us for a good Craic, Ceol & Damhsa!

Autumn celtic music camp in Yarker, 31 October to 2 November 2014

http://shutupandplay.ning.com

Spend three days honing your skills in Irish fiddle, flute or harp with world-class musicians and teachers from the US during a special intensive in Yarker, Ontario, October 31-November 2, 2014.

Join Devin Shepherd, Sean Gavin, and Marta Cook for a weekend of immersion in Irish traditional music. The full $350 package includes:

• 15 hours of intensive music training on harp, fiddle or flute. 
• Homemade Meals: Friday dinner, two meals on Saturday, lunch on Sunday, and snacks, tea and coffee all weekend. 
• Friday night Irish music session 
• Concert admission Saturday night at Yarker Riverside United Church. 

Home stay lodging may be available for non-local students; please inquire!

To register call Pauline Vaughan at 613-817-4017 or email tcm1herbs@yahoo.ca. Payment is by EFT or credit card. (EFT preferred)

To view the full schedule, full information about our instructors, and detailed workshop descriptions, check here: http://shutupandplay.ning.com/profiles/blogs/autumn-irish-music-weekend-in-yarker-ontario 


Instrumental classes are for intermediate to advanced flute and fiddle students and advanced beginner to professional harp students. All three classes will cover Irish musical styles, repertoire, and historical context. The workshops will move at a relaxed pace, but will nonetheless cover many aspects of Irish music. Students will learn new tunes and will be shown how to play those tunes well. The particular rhythm and phrasing for each tune will be broken down and explained, and students will walk away with solid principles they can apply to future tunes. Methods for improving ornamentation will be covered, such as exercises for improving the sound and consistency of rolls, triplets, and grace notes. Plenty of time will be available for students to ask questions. Music will be taught by ear, with sheet music provided at the end of the weekend. 

Recording Devices are welcome at all workshops.

Don Kavanagh to receive Community Award for Arts and Culture

http://westquebecers.com/?action=show&lid=M7R4M-DWG8X-4UPC4&desc=Community-Awards-2014 

West Quebecers 11th Annual Community Awards and Banquet

When: Friday 24 October 2014
Where: Aydelu Centre, 94, rue du Patrimoine, Gatineau, QC J9H 3P4.
Time: 6:15 PM, meet and greet
Cost: $45, aco@westquebecers.ca, RAWQ - 819 682-9602; Toll-free 1-877-733-0177 

One of the founders of CCÉ Ottawa, Don Kavanagh has been selected to receive the 2014 Arts and Culture award from the Regional Association of West Quebecers.

Don, a native of Dublin, grew up with traditional Irish music, he is well-known musician renown for his slow airs and hornpipes played on his trusty harmonica. He arrived in Canada in 1954, and along with other Irish-born musicians founded CCÉ Ottawa Branch in 1975.

The award will be presented at the annual Awards Banquet at the Aydelu Centre in Aylmer. Ticket includes a full buffet by Shep's Catering and the Awards Ceremony. There is a draw for a dinner for two at Bistro Ambrosia in Aylmer for tickets purchased by 16^th October. 

For more information check: http://www.westquebecers.ca/?action=show&lid=CSB48-B934Y-5I77G&mid=1 

2014 Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada: Tamworth & Dún Laoghaire

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Once again this past June (27-29 June), the 2014 Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada (Gaeltacht Thuaisceart An Oileáin Úir) was held both in Tamworth and at the Days Inn and Conference Centre in Kingston (Dún Laoghaire), Ontario. This year the weather was sunny and hot, and the competitors had to seek refuge under the tents as the Saturday temperature was well over 30°C!

There were competitions held on the Saturday on the field location of Tamworth. The categories are as follows:

Speaking: Oration, Story Telling, Poetry Recitation, Pair Dialogue

Writing: Poetry, Prose, Learning Books and Aids

Singing: Sean Nós Singing, Singing in Irish (not Sean Nós), Individual, Choir, Lúibíní

Music: Harp, Uilleann Pipes, Céilí Bands

Dancing: Sean Nós, Set Dancing

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada, Celtic Choir.

Several CCE Ottawa members actively participated at the Oireachtas, in music, speaking, Sean Nós dancing, Singing, and Set Dancing.  

CCE Set Dancers

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada, Ottawa Céilí Band

CCE member Ellen MacIsaac’s Celtic Choir, took the first place (Gold medal) on the Choir competition, the Ottawa Céilí Band took the first price in their category. In the Sing in Styles other than Sean Nós, CCE members were quite successful, Ellen MacIsaac took the 1^st place (gold medal), Síle Scott, the 2nd place (Silver medal), and Oscar Mou was tied for the 3^rd place!  Shadyn Proctor took 2nd place on Sean Nós dancing, and the CCE Ottawa Set Dancers took the first place on Set Dancing for a second year running!

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada, Sean Nos, 2nd place

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Check the list of Winners in all categories: http://www.oireachtas.ca/pdfs/Buaiteoiri.Bearla.2014.pdf

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada

Congratulations to everyone who competed, regardless of the result!

Ceilidh at the Hill - 21 June

This worldwide ceilidh, which starts in New Zealand and concludes in Hawaii 24 hours later, is in celebration of the 20th Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow Scotland in 2014. Lively music and simple instruction will enable participants with no previous dance experience to master and enjoy the dances in no time. No kilts, no swords, no partner, no charge! Come as you are and stay for a good time. A Ceilidh is a party and you are invited!


More details here: http://rscdsottawa.ca/commonwealth%20ceilidh/commonwealth%20ceilidh.html

Come one, come all!
Bring your family and friends.

See you at the ceilidh on the Hill!

Harp Concert - Ottawa

When: Sunday 30 March at 19:30

Where: St. Luke's Anglican Church, 760 Somerset St. West, Ottawa 

Admission by donation

For further information call 613-235-3416 

Traditional Irish Instruments - Irish bagpipes

In Ireland have been two types of bagpipes. The first ones to be documented in the 1500’s was the Great Irish Warpipes (píob mhór; literally "great pipes"), an instrument similar in design to the Scottish bagpipes. It is called Warpipes because they were, like in Scotland, used as an instrument of war. An Irish Gaelic version of “Fierabas” may contain the first reference to warpipes: the quote “sinnter adharca agus piba agaibh do tinol bur sluaigh” translates as “let horns and pipes be played by you to gather your host.” The manuscript may date to the 15th century and the writer may have had bagpipes in mind.  Even Galilleo’s father (musician Vincenzo Gallilei), mentions the Irish pipes in a 1581 work. In “The Image of Ireland,” poem by John Derricke, published in the same year, there is mention of the Irish warpipes as form of communication in battle.

“The Image of Ireland,” by John Derrick 1581http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Irish_Warpipes

It seems that the Warpipes disappeared from Ireland in the 19^th century. By then another type of Irish bagpipes became popular. The “new kids in the block” were the ‘pastoral’ or ‘union pipes’ or píobaí uilleann (literally, "pipes of the elbow").

Uilleann pipes (pronounced ill-in or ill-yun depending upon local dialect), are a hard instrument to master, local lore mentions that a musician requires seven years learning, seven years practicing, and seven years playing before a piper could be said to have mastered this complex instrument. 

 

Uilleann pipes, full set

Amongst the bagpipes the Uilleann pipes are the most complex, they come as a learning set, the half-set and the full-set.  As an instrument, the Uilleann pipes are composed of the following parts: bag, bellows, chanter, drones and regulators.

The Uilleann pipes  appeared in the 1700’s, played by gentlemen and clergy alike. The most known players in the 20^th century are Paddy Moloney, Liam O’Flynn, Paddy Keenan, Davy Spillane and others. Uilleann pipes has been an instrument played mostly by ‘traveller’ families, most notably by the Keenans, Dorans, and Fureys.

Paddy Keenan, Ottawa 2011

For more information on the history, structure and the playing of the Uilleann pipes, check Na Píobairí Uilleann (The Society of Uilleann Pipers).

Traditional Irish Music - Singing

Ellen MacIsaac at Canada's 2013 Oireachtas

In traditional Irish music there are “music” that is mainly for singing and other that is exclusively for dancing. “Music” for singing, tends to be mostly the unaccompanied vocals of sean nós of the “old style.” Also there is another unaccompanied vocal singing, the lilting or “mouth music;” a similar celtic tradition in Scotland is puirt a beul (or "diddling"). Lilting often accompanies dancing, and features such as rhythm and tone dominate in lilting. The lyrics are often meaningless or nonsensical.


Sean nós: there are three main styles of Sean nós, corresponding to the three areas where Irish is still spoken as a community language, the Gaeltachtai of Munster, Connacht and Ulster. Even though Sean-nós is practiced outside these areas, only those three distinct styles can be recognised. Singers from the Gaeltacht and indeed from outside Ireland may blend them, depending on where they learned. For those familiar with the styles, will notice the differences amongst them.

The Donegal Sean nós has been heavily influenced by Scots Gaelic song, where the melody is much less ornamented (uses of grace notes, and may also contain a steady pulse throughout the song). In all styles, the singers link a text to their interpretation of the melody. All styles will have slow (non-rhythmic songs) and songs that are sung to melodies with a very strong rhythm mostly drawn from the dance music, e.g. Jigs, slip-jigs, reels etc. http://comhaltas.ie/music/treoir/detail/amhranaiocht_ar_an_sean_nos/

As Seamas Mac Mathuna has written, "Sean nós singing is at once the most loved and the most reviled, the least often heard and the least understood part of that body of music which is generally referred to as Irish Traditional Music.” http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart378.htm


Here you can hear Scread Ceann Sualtaim, Celtic song of The Headless Horseman.

Next time we will refer to music for dancing.

We hope you enjoy it! 

Next time we will refer to music for dance.

Traditional Irish Music Resources

Ottawa Ceili Band

Now that you might have secured some music lessons from the Instructors list we published last week, we thought that you may be interested in some link to musical resources besides the ones listed on the Traditional Irish Music post. 

The Irish Traditional Music Archive – Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann is a national reference archive and resource centre for the traditional song, instrumental music and dance of Ireland. It is a public not-for-profit facility which is open, free of charge, to anyone with an interest in the contemporary and historical artforms of Irish traditional music. ITMA provides access to:

Digitised materials 

Audio playlists   

Video playlists   

Interactive scores  

On-Line Catalogues and Databases

PDF Downloads 

Discover the music! 

Music Instructors

The following musicians, all respected for their knowledge and musicianship in Irish traditional music on their respective instruments, have offered to provide instruction for CCÉ Ottawa Branch members.

John Dahms: tin whistle, fiddle

Ross Davison: uilleann pipes, tin whistle, beginner flute

Alistair Dennet: beginner to advanced bodhrán

Duncan Gillis: tin whistle, beginner Irish flute

Matt Pepin: fiddle

It is preferred that prospective students are asked to contact the Vice-Chair of the branch to get instructor contact information.  Lesson fees and any CCÉ member discounts are set by each instructor. The instructor should be provided with proof of your membership with CCÉ Ottawa in order to obtain a discount on the regular lesson fees.  Regular fees range from about $30 to $40 per hour, but this is not ‘set in stone’ and CCÉ makes no guarantees on rates.

This post is related to our previous post about Traditional Irish Music: http://ottawacomhaltas.blogspot.ca/2013/11/traditional-irish-music.html

Enjoy the music! 

Traditional Irish Music

Wikipedia tells that that the folk music of Ireland (also known as Irish traditional music, Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres in Ireland.

In A History of Irish Music (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Ireland, there were at least ten instruments in general use. These were the cruit (a small harp) and clairseach (a bigger harp with typically 30 strings), the timpan (a small string instrument played with a bow or plectrum), the feadan (a fife), the buinne (an oboe or flute), the guthbuinne (a bassoon-type horn), the bennbuabhal and corn (hornpipes), the cuislenna (Irish war bagpipes, different from the Uilleann bagpipes, which was developed around the beginning of the 18th century), the stoc and sturgan (clarions or trumpets), and the cnamha (castanets). There is also evidence of the fiddle being used in the 8th century.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Irish_Music

To learn about traditional Irish music, check “A History of Irish Music” (1905) by William H. Grattan Flood.
http://www.libraryireland.com/IrishMusic/Contents.php (Online book, can be downloaded or read in web format).

If you are interested in self-taught programs to learn of some of the traditional instruments, check ComhaltasLive, the weekly internet video programme of Irish traditional music produced by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. These video-programs are organized by instrument, tune (reel, jig, etc.) and venue (competition, concert, etc.). 

Also, another source is the Revised Tunebook from the Kington, Harp of Tara Branch, of Comhaltas.

Halloween Céilí

THIS MONTH: DRESS UP IN YOUR FAVOURITE HALLOWEEN COSTUME!

When: Saturday 26th of October, 8:00-11:00 pm

Where: Blessed Sacrament Church, 194 Fourth Avenue

Members – $10,
Non-Members – $15,
Students – $5,
Children under 12 years of age – free


Do you love great company, great music and a fun time dancing? If you answered "yes" to any of the above you MUST join us for our October ceili. Come on out to a fun night of relaxed entertainment in a friendly environment and learn the steps of our ancestors. It is a great no-pressure environment in which you can enjoy the evening without dealing with drunks, learn some new dance steps (even if you have two left feet), and listen to some of the best live music in town!

Come and join us. We will love to see you there! 

First céilí of the '2013-2014 céilí season'!

It is that time of the year again when we get together to enjoy the first céilí of the season. 

Our first 2013-2014 season céilí is on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 8:00pm. We are at our regular location: Blessed Sacament Parish- Ottawa, 194 Fourth Ave, Ottawa, Ontario.


You do not need to know how to dance nor need to have a dancing partner. Everyone is welcome!

Members – $10
Non-Members – $15
Students – $5
Children under 12 years of age – free

Entertainment, raffles, door prizes, and free snacks at the break!

Our céilís are the third Saturday of every month, 8:00-11:30 pm. Monthly céilí dates for the 2013-2014 season:

• September 21, 2013 
• October 26, 2013 
• November 16, 2013 
• December 21, 2013 
• January 18, 2014 
• February 15, 2014 
• March 15 (St Patrick’s Day céilí) 
• April 12, 2014 
• May 17, 2014 

Come and join us. We will love to see you there! 

2009 CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame - Stuart Hook

This post is linked to the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame post; slowly we will feature all the people that have inducted to the CCÉ Music Hall of Fame.

Stuart Hook

For more than 15 years, Stuart has been tireless in his efforts to support Irish Culture in St. John. He carried the Branch through tough times when membership was almost nonexistent. Stuart's loyalty and dedication to promoting Irish culture, music, song, dance and storytelling has provided a solid foundation for his branch to grow. Today the branch enjoys a record number of members.

Though Stuart was born in Peterborough, England, his wife Helena, who hails from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, jokes that he is more Irish than she is. It was through the nurturing atmosphere of Comhaltas that Stuart found the confidence to learn to play musical instruments and to sing. He did neither until he was in this fifties! Stuart's skill on the tin whistle and bodhran blossomed under the Comhaltas umbrella.

Stuart is always eager to share his knowledge and talents with others and strives to make traditional Irish music accessible to all ages and skill levels. He has developed musical associations throughout New Brunswick and beyond. This has been a great benefit to Comhaltas and has enriched many people's Irish experience.

Over the years, Stuart has held several positions within the St. John Branch Executive including: Auditor, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer. He encourages other members in their efforts to participate and grow within the organization. Stuart's approachable manner and nurturing personality have made him an excellent ambassador for Comhaltas and the Irish culture in general.

For these and innumerable other reasons, it is with pride that we include Stuart Hook into the Comhaltas Music hall of Fame.

Text taken from the CCÉ Canada East Region Music Hall of Fame program for Saturday October 31, 2009. Toronto, Ontario