Instrument loans for beginner musicians in Irish traditional music

The Brach website has a new page about instrument loans.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) is searching for beginner music students that may be interested in borrowing one of the Ottawa Branch owned Irish instruments. The loan of the instrument is for the sole purpose of learning the instrument for playing Irish traditional music, at the beginner level.

The translation of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to English is ‘Gathering of the Musicians of Ireland.’ CCÉ was founded in 1951 by a group of Irish pipers who were concerned that the traditional music of Ireland was in decline and in danger of being lost. Since then the organization has grown into a global movement involving tens of thousands of people and has come to encompass traditional Irish dance and the Irish language as well as the music. Therefore, at the local level we must continue our best efforts to preserve the tradition.

The Ottawa Branch of CCÉ owns a collection of musical instruments common in Irish traditional music. These instruments represent a substantial investment and commitment by CCÉ Ottawa to maintain the musical heritage of Ireland. By loaning these instruments, beginning students are spared the initial cost while they find their way and determine whether learning the instrument is for them or not.

The collection, and current status, of the instruments is:
Two full sized harps (unavailable);
Two Stentor student 3/4-size fiddles (AVAILABLE);
Irish wooden flute (unavailable);
Single-row button Hohner accordion (AVAILABLE); and
Half-set of David Daye uilleann pipes (AVAILABLE).

Beginner students can petition the Branch to borrow an instrument. If the student is eligible and the instrument is available the student will receive the instrument on loan. Each loan is subject to written terms and conditions set by the Branch. It is expected that the student will make an honest effort to gain sufficient proficiency and passion for the instrument and the music, and eventually acquire their own instrument. The loaned instrument is then returned to CCÉ for loan to another beginner.

While some of the instruments are already spoken for, the uptake of instruments to interested beginners has been disappointingly low. Normally the availability of these instruments is announced at the monthly ceilis, and in the CCÉ Ottawa branch newsletter. CCÉ is eager to loan one of the instruments to persons who indicate a serious intention to make that initial effort to learn their chosen instrument. If you are such a person, or know of such a person, please contact the Vice-Chair of the of the CCÉ Ottawa branch for more details.