The Belfast & District Set Dancing & Traditional Music Society
in association with Queen’s University Belfast School of Music are presenting a
Fiddle Workshop with the legendary Matt Cranitch
April 24th 2010
Intermediate-Advanced levels
McMordie Hall, Queen’s University School of Music
10:30 am-1:00pm then 2:00-4:00pm, short recital to immediately follow
£10.00 for the day, £8.00 for Society members, £5.00 half-day

Matt Cranitch, who lives in Cork, is renowned as a fiddle-player and teacher, both at home in Ireland and abroad. He has performed extensively with various groups at concerts and festivals, as well as on radio and television. He has also presented lectures, master-classes and workshops on various aspects of Irish music, particularly fiddle-playing. He is author of The Irish Fiddle Book, first published in 1988 and now in its fourth edition. This book, with accompanying CDs, explains and shows in detail the various techniques used by fiddle-players in creating a traditional style of playing. “The Irish Fiddle Book is a must for every serious student of Irish fiddling.” – Folk Roots. He has also contributed to a number of other books on Irish traditional music.

He has a particular interest in the music of Sliabh Luachra, which is located in the south-west of Ireland, and which has a distinctive style and repertoire of traditional music. He has successfully completed a Ph.D. on the fiddle-playing style of this region at the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick, where he also teaches traditional music performance. In recognition of his work on the music of Sliabh Luachra, he was awarded a ‘Government of Ireland Senior Research Scholarship’ in 2002.

His current band is Sliabh Notes, which also includes Dónal Murphy and Tommy O’Sullivan. They have performed at many venues and major festivals, including Milwaukee Irish Fest, the largest Irish festival in the world, the North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas, Copenhagen Irish Festival in Denmark, Torino Festival in Italy, the Camden Festival in London, and many many more. Their most recent album, “Along Blackwater’s Banks”, has been highly praised and has received much critical acclaim: “One of the best albums to be released this year so far comes form Sliabh Notes.” – Irish Post.

Matt is a regular contributor to radio and television programs as a performer and commentator on matters relating to traditional music. He is traditional music consultant for TG4, the Irish-language television service. “An exceptional musician and an authority on Irish fiddle-playing, Matt Cranitch has been a major force in Irish music since the early 1970s.” – The Rough Guide to Irish Music. In 2003, he received the ‘University College Cork Hall of Fame Award’ in recognition of the contribution he had made to Irish traditional music.

To book a place contact us at: society.email@ntlworld.com or at 07875 094 446

Mark your Calendars!

Learner’s Session Dates at McHugh’s:
Sunday, February 21st, March 7th, March 21st 2:00pm

Sessions for slower learners (new)
Sunday, February 28th, March 14th, March 28th 2:00pm

Flute Workshop with Conor Byrne
Saturday, March 6th, Crescent Arts Centre
Intermediate to advanced levels
11:30am-1:30pm then 2:30pm-5:00
Short recital to follow until 5:30

£10.00, £8.00 members, £5.00 half day

Tionól Feirste 2010-Belfast Uilleann Piping Gathering
In association with Na Píobairí Uilleann
Saturday, March 6th
Shaftesbury Community Centre, Balfour Ave, Lower Ormeau Rd.

There will be three tuition classes with
Cormac Cannon, Nollaig MacCárthaigh and Ciarán Mac Feidhlimidh.
Paddy O’Hare will conduct a reed making and tuning class.

10.30 am  to 1.00pm then 2.00 to 4.00 pm.

The musical evening will start around 8:00 pm at the same venue and will
continue as long as there is someone willing to play.The fee for the day is £10
For booking and information contact Tom Clarke at tom.jean@ntlworld.com or at 07737 985715

St Patrick’s Day Ceilí in aid of the Haitian Earthquake Appeal
Wednesday, March 17th
Tubby’s Cafe, 16 Lisburn Street, Hillsboro
7:30-11:00pm

Informal ceilí with an opportunity for session tunes.  Dance music by Caroline Judge, accordion
Supper, coffee, tea and soft drinks provided, supply your own tipple.  Donations to the Earthquake Appeal welcome

Sean Nós step dance workshop with Mick Mulkerrin
Saturday, March 20th Rosemary Hall, Elmwood Avenue (behind All Soul’s Church)
Intermediate – Advanced levels
10:30-1:00pm, then 2:00-4:30
£10.00, £8.00 members, £5.00 half day

End of Term Concert and Ceilí
Saturday, March 20th
Rosemary Hall, Elmwood Avenue
Student concert 7:00pm-9:00pm, supper at 9:00,
Sets ceilí with HeelandToe* starting at 9:30
Bring your own tipple

*HeelandToe are Nigel and Diana Boullier, Bernie Stocks and Davy Graham

All Set Concert at the NEWLY RENOVATED CRESCENT ARTS CENTRE!
Tuesday, April 20th
8:00pm  £5.00

Join us for a great evening of music and dance with All Set!

Enrolment for the summer term
Due to the move back into the Crescent, enrolment will be later than usual this year.
Enrolment night will be Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
The term will run through June.

Frank McConnell ( Scotland) will be teaching Cape Breton strathspey and reel steps.
(Some solo step dance experience required)

Saturday, February 13th
Rosemary Hall, Elmwood Avenue (behind All Souls’ Church)

10:30-1:00pm then 2:00pm-4:30
£10, £8.00 members, £5.00 half day

For more information phone: 07875 094 446

Reminder! Sunday, Feb 7th 2010

McHugh’s 2:00pm-4:00 or more!

Don’t forget – Concertina Workshop!  Saturday, February 6, 2010

Edel Fox is one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of her generation. A prized pupil of Noel Hill, she made her radio debut on Clare FM’s ‘Mist – Covered Mountain’ at the tender age of seven. Edel plays music evocative of her native West Clare, with a joy and abandon that lifts the spirit.

Despite her young age, her musical resume boasts a list of accolades, she’s a regular performer on Irish National Radio and the BBC and has performed in festivals and concert halls from North America all the way to Asia. In 2004, Edel was awarded one of the highest honours for a traditional musician in Ireland – the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award.

In addition to being an engaging performer, Edel is also an insightful and patient teacher, specializing in the repertoire of her native soil. She is on staff at the prestigious Willie Clancy Summer School in her home town, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. She also teaches annually at festivals in the US, including the Irish Arts Week Festival in East Durham, NY. She has recently completed her studies in music at the University of Limerick and works presently in the media.

Crescent Art Centre 165 Ormeau Rd
Saturday, February 6, 2010
10:30-1:00pm then 2:00-4:00pm
£10.00, £8.00 for members, £5.00 half day

for further information phone 07875 094 446