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WORKSHOPS - NEW THIS YEAR!!!
Since moving to America fourteen years ago, Patrick has performed with James Keane, Andrew Mac Namara, John Williams, the band "Celtic Thunder" and in June 1999, joined the Tulla Ceilíí band on their last U.S. tour. Patrick is the newest member of the trio Chulrua, led by legendary accordion player Paddy O'Brien and singer, guitar player Pat Egan. For the last twelve years, Patrick has been in great demand as a teacher. He has taught at various festivals such as the Chris Langan Weekend in Toronto; the St Louis Irish Festival and at the Fleadh Nua in Co. Clare, Ireland, the Celtic Week at East Durham in the Catskills, Augusta Heritage in elkins West Virginia and the Goderich Festival to name but a few. He now makes his home in Toronto.
Classes are 10-12 and 2-4
$3 admission; $27 for first workshop attended; $10 for second workshop attended.
AM = Intermediate fiddle - Patrick
Intermediate Tenor banjo/mandolin - Eamon
PM = Intermediate/advanced fiddle - Patrick
Session Guitar Accompaniment- Eamon
Both teachers teach strictly by ear, and if possible will have written music to give out at the end of class.
To get the most out of the class, students should bring a recording device. Video cameras need prior approval.
About the Fiddle Workshop:
Over the years, Patrick has developed a style and repertoire very much associated with the music of east Clare and east Galway. His greatest influences come from musicians he had the fortune to learn from firsthand, such as the legendary fiddler Paddy Canny and flute players Jack Coen and Peadar O’’Loughlin. Other important influences come from the great fiddlers Paddy Fahey and Bobby Casey.
At each workshop one or more tunes will be taught. Patrick only teaches by ear and strongly recommends students bring along some type of recording device (with the exception of video cameras, which require prior authorization). The tunes taught are often chosen after having assessed the level and need of the students. Whenever possible, written music will be handed out at the end of the workshop.
In a typical session, Patrick will show students various bow patterns, as well as left hand and bow hand ornamentation for each tune. Other technical aspects will be covered during workshops, based on levels and needs of students. They include basic finger placements on the fingerboard, constructive suggestions on holding the instrument, as well as tips on developing or improving tone and on how to practice more efficiently.
The emphasis of the workshops will be on listening, and Patrick will discuss the importance of simplicity in interpretation of the music. He will place a greater importance on expression and keeping the melodic integrity of the tunes rather than on technical display and speed.
The various tools acquired during the workshop will give students the ability to better differentiate various styles of playing and the confidence and skills to learn music more easily on their own. Patrick will also discuss and stress the importance of finding and learning good settings of tunes in developing repertoire. To that end, a list of recommended essential recordings will be handed out at the workshop.
About the tenor banjo/guitar workshops:
EAMON O'LEARY While growing up in Dublin, Eamon developed an interest in Irish music through his friendship with the Mayock family, noted traditional musicians originally from County Mayo. When he moved to New York City in 1992, he met guitarist John Doyle and fiddle player Patrick Ourceau, among others, and has since become a fixture in the city’’s thriving Irish music scene. Eamon has toured extensively throughout Europe and North America, performing with many of Irish music’’s great players, including Paddy Keenan, Mick Moloney, Tommy Peoples, and James Keane, and has recorded with singer Susan McKeown and flute player Emer Mayock. In addition to his performance schedule, Eamon has taught at numerous music programs including the Augusta Heritage Center, the Catskills Irish Arts Week, and the Alaska Irish Music Camp. In 2004, he and Patrick Ourceau released a live recording, Live at Mona’’s, documenting their many years hosting a Monday night session on New York’’s Lower East Side.
SESSION GUITAR ACCOMPANIMENT
Students will learn basic session guitar rhythms, tunings, and techniques for becoming a more accomplished player. Beginning students should know how to tune their instrument and have some knowledge of chord structure, finger placement and strumming
TENOR BANJO/MANDOLIN
Since the mandolin and tenor banjo are tuned alike and serve the same function in Irish music, the topics covered are generally applicable to both. Instruction will cover some history, left- and right-hand techniques, ornamentation, string types, pick types, and building repertoire. Emphasis will be placed on how to pick up and arrange tunes, and on the musical textures available when the instrument is placed in an ensemble setting with other traditional instruments. A recording device is recommended.
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