*REPORTS*
The Lake School @ Koroit
2-7 January
by Merran Moir
Each January, straight after New Year, our family enjoys attending the Lake School in Koroit. There is a range of classes/instruments on offer - fiddle, guitar, whistle, mandolin...just to name a few. This year, as with last, I attended the uilleann pipe classes. The tutors, and terrific players, are Jack Brennan and Nick Martin from Adelaide.
The classes ran for 2 hours each afternoon for the five days of the school, and there were lots of opportunities to play outside of the classes as well. Participants ranged from beginner to quite accomplished, and having two tutors for this class is a distinct advantage. This year we learnt some new tunes - including Chanters Tune and a couple of jigs, and looked at some of the ornamentation that could be included. We also had a reed making demonstration. The culmination of our efforts went on stage at the Ceilidh.
It was great to meet and play with so many pipers - already there's talk of more for the piping class in next year's program - lets hope so!
Thanks Jack, Nick and The Lake School!
Music Under the Southern Cross
12-7 January
by Andrew Teusner
From January 12 to 17 the Celtic Summer School was held at Campaspe Downs Kyneton.
I attended the Irish Pipering class under the fine tutelage of Patrick Lyons, with fellow class mates David, Darri, Alan and John.
This year's pipering theme was jigs, with lessons on technique, embellishments and variations. Some music theory was also covered, as well as work on reeds, pipe maintenance and the stories of the tunes and characters of traditional Irish music.
At the finale concert, the D pitched pipes played South Wind together, whilst I played the Silver Spear on my solitary B set.
The camp was a great success.
Sessions at Newstead Live!
24-28 January
by Andrew Teusner
A week after Campaspe Downs was the Newstead Live Music Festival in the lovely town of Newstead. There were street sessions galore, workshops, a blackboard concert and singing sessions as well as the programmed concerts.
We held a smallpipe session in the main street sessions late Saturday afternoon with Merran, Martin, Sarah and myself with backing from David on accordion and Sarah on bodhran.
On Sunday we held a more formal gathering at the Uniting Church, where Sarah, Dave Bail and myself were joined by Patrick Lyons on his lovely Bb Irish pipes and Phil on his D set. The highlight being playing around, sorry that's playing the round the Austrian Children's' Round. Learn it everyone, for instant harmonies.
Altogether another great weekend of music.
I'll be at the Frances Folk Gathering at the end of February, if anyone wants to join me for a tune.
All the best, Andrew.
PS: if anyone else knows of other rounds we could learn, I'd love to hear from you. |
