Ottawa Branch Instrument Loans - an update and reminder

Good news! We have found people for borrowing our uilleann pipes, and our accordion! We are looking for a case for our accordion, a Hohner Marca Registrada single-row. It measures about 9.5 x 11.5 x 6 inches. While it's a longshot, if you have a spare case clutering up your space, please contact as soon as possible so we can discuss your sale or donation of said case to our Branch. Otherwise we will have to purchase a new case at a greater expense.

Yesterday the Branch's Irish flute (Casey Burns 'Folk Flute') became available once more. The flute would fit the hands of many teens and most adults. This is a keyless flute made of boxwood. It has recently been re-hemped and oiled and comes in a small, padded, hard case. Please let me know if you are interested in borrowing this fine flute.

The CCE Ottawa Branch currently has two 3/4-size fiddles available for loan. The fiddles are generally suitable for pre-teens, ages 9-12, though this is not a hard and fast rule. Suffice it to say they are too small for adults. Sadly we have had no interest shown in them. I find this somewhat remarkable since there is so much traditional fiddling in the Ottawa region. This is agreat chance for your child to try out fiddling.

For all instrument loans preference goes to current Ottawa Branch members, and then to people who join CCE in order to qualify for the loan. Borrowers are expected to line up a mentor or tutor/teacher in order to progress on the instrument. The normal loan period is for one year, with possible extensions depending upon demand. After a year with the instrument the borrower should determine if they can obtain their own instrument, abandon the effort (least desirable outcome), or renew the loan for a period (as above, if there is no demand for the instrument at that time).

Please contact me, Craig Hamm, if you are interested in the loan of a flute or fiddle. I can be contacted via the CCE Ottawa Branch website or directly if you already know me!

The instrument webpage is here.

Thank you,
Craig Hamm
Vice Chairperson/
Leascathaoirleach

The Founding of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch, 1975

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann came into being, in County Westmeath in Ireland. The reason flowed from concern, by some Irish traditional musicians, for the disappearance of Irish music. In 1951 a standing committee of Cumann Ceoltóirí Éireann, “Company of Irish Musicians” was established and morphed into Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the following year, 1952. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in translation means: “Society of Musicians of Ireland” and is normally referred to as “Comhaltas.”

 

It was created as Non-Political, Non-Sectarian organization open to all interested persons. Its aims are:

To promote traditional Irish music; 

• To revive the playing of both the Harp and the Uilleann Pipes;
• To promote traditional Irish dancing; and,
• To promote the knowledge and the use of Irish language.

From the beginning, because of its nature, it gave traditional musicians an appreciative audience as traditional style was the standard employed. With respect to the organization of Comhaltas, the Branch is the most important unit. Since inauguration, Comhaltas has grown over 400 branches spread across four continents. At this time there are over 60 branches in North America.

 

In the declining days of 1974, two [Irish] musicians from Ottawa: Don Kavanagh and Leo Browne went to Montreal to attend a Comhaltas concert. The following year a Comhaltas concert was staged in the auditorium of the Ottawa Technical High School and the Ottawa Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Band was established.

Today the four aims of Comhaltas are being met by the Ottawa Branch:

 

1. The Branch has its own Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Céilí band and traditional musical instruments are made available to learners [CCE Ottawa Branch members] without charge;

 

2. The Branch currently owns two harps and one set of uilleann pipes. The harps are currently on loan to learners [check upcoming instruments news in the CCE website];

 

3. Traditional set, céilí, sean nós, and solo dancing are taught on a weekly basis; and,

 

4. Five different levels of Irish language classes are held on a weekly basis. The group, Caint is Comhrá, runs various Irish language events in the branch.

 

By Pat Scott

 

Bunaíodh Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann san Iarmhí in Éirinn. Tháinig sé ar an saol mar gheall ar an mbuairt a bhí ar cheolteoirí traidisiúnta áirithe nach raibh ag éirí leis an gceol traidisiúnta i measc mhuintir na hÉireann. Sa bhliain 1951, bunaíodh Cumann Ceolteoirí Éireann agus fobraíodh de réir a chéile é seo go dtí go raibh “Comhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann” mar atá aithne againn air, sa bhliain 1952.

 

Ba eagraíocht neamh-pholaitiúil, neamh-sheicteach í ón dtús agus cuireadh fáilte roimh chách dá raibh suim acu ann. Ba iad príomhaidhmeanna na heagraíochta ná: 

•  Ceol traidisiúnta na hÉireann a chur chun cinn 
•   Athbheochan na Cláirsí agus na bPíb Uilleann 
•   Damhsa traidisiúnta na hÉireann a chur chun cinn 
•   Eolas agus úsáid na Gaeilge a chothú.

Ón gcéad chéim, thug Comhaltas deis do cheolteoirí traidisiúnta lucht éisteachta buíoch a aimsiú, mar gur cleachtadh an stíl traidisiúnta. Maidir le heagrú Chomhaltas, is é an bráinse croílár na heagraíochta. Ó bhunaíodh é, scaipeadh Comhaltas ar fud an domhain, agus tá ceithre chéad bráinse de le fáil ar cheithre mhórthír. Faoi láthair, faightear 60 bráinse i Meiriceá Thuaidh amháin.

 

Ag deireadh 1974, chuaigh beirt cheolteoirí Éireannach, a bhí ag cur fúthú in Ottawa, go Montréal chun freastal ar cheolchoirm Chomhaltas. An bhliain ina diaidh sin, cuireadh ceolchoirm ar siúl i halla de Ottawa Technical High School agus tháinig grúpa ceoil Chomhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann, Ottawa, le chéile don chéad uair.

 

Inniu, tá ceithre aidhm Chomhaltas á mbaint amach ag an mbráinse:

1. Tá grúpa ceoil dá gcuid féin ag an mbráinse acu, agus cuirtear uirlisí traidisiúnta na hÉireann ar fáil do bhaill Chomhaltas Ceolteoirí Éireann, gan praghas ar bith le híoc acu.

2. Tá dhá chláirseach agus píb uilleann ag an mbráinse. Faoi láthair, tá na cláirsigh ar iasacht ag baill an bhráinse. (Féach ar uirlisí ar fáil ar shuíomh idirlín Chomhaltas le tuilleadh eolais a fháil)

3. Múintear damhsa traidisiúnta, sean-nós, seit agus céilithe ó sheachtain go seachtain

4. Múintear an Ghaeilge do chúig rang, de chumas éagsúla. Cuireann an grúpa Gaeilge, Caint is Comhrá, ócáidí ar siúl le linn na bliana chun an teanga a cheiliúradh.

 

Le Pádraig Scot agus Eoin Ó Catháin

Royal Scottish Country Dance Society at January Céilí

Videos of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) Demonstration Team at the January céilí have been posted on the Branch webpage. This group always delights the céilí crowd with a different flavour of dance. After their main demonstration they taught the céilí goers some Scottish dances and a great deal of fun was had.  To see them in action you could also check our YouTube Channel.

http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/gallery.php (Note, this page will change over time, so you may not see the videos if you check in too late, check the Gallery Page often!)

And don't forget to check the What's New page for …. what's new! http://www.ottawacomhaltas.com/whats-new.php

Caint is Comhrá - Links 2

The Caint is Comhrá group is very creative on their Irish language classes, for example this past Monday night’s intermediate class they used this article. It was published in The Irish Times - Wednesday, January 16, 2013, the original article "Tá iarrachtaí ar siúl ag Protastúnaigh a gcuid féin a dhéanamh den teanga," which loosely translate to "Protestants make an effort to create their own language."


Nath Cainte an Lae: (meán-rang)

Is mise an duine is sine/is óige sa chlann. / Tá mé i lár baill
I’m the eldest/the youngest in the family/ I am in the middle.

Nath Cainte an Lae ( ard-rang)

Réitim go maith le mo deartháireacha/deirfiúracha. Ó am go ham, bíonn muid in adharca a chéile.
I get on well with my brothers/sisters. From time to time, we’re at eachothers’ throats (literally: we lock horns)

Sad tidings for the CCE Branch - Deirdre Scott

Deirdre Elizabeth Scott (née Mulrennan)

February 23rd, 1936 - January 28th, 2013

Loving wife of Pat Scott, Deirdre Scott passed away peacefully after a long illness, on Monday 28 January 2013. She leaves behind her loving husband of 53 years, Pat Scott. She will be greatly missed by her daughters Sheila (Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh), Maureen (Danny Byrne), Siobhán (Maciej Brodowski), and Róisín (Richard Philippe). She has been a loving Grandma Deedee to Nora, Amy, Paula, Layla, Eddie, Myra, Becky, Geneviève, Renée, and Tristan. Mom left Ireland with two girlfriends in 1957, for an adventure that lasted a lifetime. Both Mom and Dad were very proud of their Irish heritage. Mom supported Dad in the creation of the Irish Society of Ottawa, Irish theatre and the Chair of Celtic Studies at the University of Ottawa. She initiated Irish dancing and Irish language classes here in Ottawa. Such was her passion for her culture that her children and grandchildren are all active in Ottawa's vibrant Irish community. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses at the Ottawa General for the very gentle and tender way they ensured that mom's last days were as comfortable as possible. The family also wants to thank the staff at Billings Lodge for the exceptional care it has provided to mom over the last 11 months. 

Friends may pay respects at the Kelly Funeral Home, on Thursday (January 31) from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at  Walkley Chapel: 1255 Walkley Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 6P9 613-731-1255, www.kellyfh.ca
Funeral service Friday, February 1st to Holy Cross Church, 685 Walkley Rd, for Mass of Christian funeral at 2 p.m. 

A celebration of her life will follow. Donations in memory of mom can be made to the Alzheimer's Society.

There is a virtual Guest Book that you can sign.
Published in The Ottawa Citizen on January 30, 2013 


Deirdre was the mother of the current Chair of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch, Sile Scott. The Executive and all members of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Ottawa Branch extend their deepest sympathies to the Scott family and closest friends.


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Caint is Comhrá - links

The Caint is Comhrá group is very creative on their Irish language classes, for example this past Monday night’s intermediate class they used this article. It is entitled "10 ways to make your life healthier," and it has some great Irish phrases and some interesting vocabulary.

If you are interested in reading more in Irish, more articles are available on the Gaelscéal , a national irish language newspaper, website: www.gaelsceal.ie, and we encourage you to read them!  If you want to hear some spoken Irish, the Gaelscéal also produces podcasts.


Here we also have Irish phrases, and an Irish proverb:

Irish phrase of the week: (meán-rang)

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit/ daoibh!  || Happy New Year to you/ to ye!


Irish phrase of the week (ardrang)

Tháinig an fhadhb seo aniar aduaidh orm || This problem came as an unpleasant surprise!


Irish proverb of the week:

Mol an Óige agus Tiocfaidh Sí  || Praise the youth and it will bloom.

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.