November Newsletter
Meeting Recap
Another great meeting! Great turn out filled with great tunes. Thanks to everyone who was able to make it! We played several new tunes that have been added to our Common Tunes collection in our website resources. If you're looking for some new tunes to learn, have a look! Resources - Common Tunes
Walsh Tune book & Denis Brooks tutor
The club is currently exploring options to begin reprinting John Walsh's highly coveted tune book, as well as the much sought after Denis Brooks Tutor. We are hoping to have logistics sorted by early next year so we can begin printing and selling, so keep an eye on the newsletter and website store!
Workshops & Concerts
West Coast Tionol 2025
I'm very happy to announce we have confirmed the legendary pipe maker Brad Angus for our second day of the Tionol. Rather than fixing everyone's pipes and reeds and sending us on our way (the proverbial give a man a fish…), Brad will be teaching us to fish with a crash course on pipe maintenance and tuning to help us all learn how best to keep our pipes in working order.
Caoimhín Ó Fearghail
Hailing from An Rinn, Waterford Gaeltacht, began learning the tin whistle at age eight with Bobby Gardiner before progressing to the uilleann pipes under David Power. Self-taught on flute and guitar, he was influenced by renowned musicians like Matt Molloy and Séamus Ennis. In 2006, he released an album with local artists, and has since contributed to various albums, including those of Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Edel Fox. A recipient of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award in 2012, Caoimhín has toured widely with groups like Caladh Nua and Danú, and in 2020, released a solo piping album through Na Píobairí Uilleann. A graduate of UCC with an MA in Irish, he was named Best Folk Instrumentalist at the 2021 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.
Sean Gavin
A master of the uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and tin whistle, Seán Gavin is one of the most highly regarded performers and teachers of traditional Irish music. He is the first musician born outside Ireland to win the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold medal, and the author of a popular tin whistle book published by Hal Leonard. Seán is the founder and director of the Irish Music Institute – a non-profit music school based in Southeast Michigan, and also serves as coordinator of celtic week at the Swannanoa Gathering in North Carolina. With recordings, lectures, and performances around the globe to his credit, Seán is back in his native Detroit, where he continues to play, teach, and promote traditional Irish music.
Early registration is available now here and in our store: West Coast Tionol ‘25
Ticket price will increase on December 1st, so get your early! As always, stay tuned to the website and newsletter for the latest details and updates, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Hosting Visitors
On another note, as many of our Tionol attendees will be coming from out of town, I'd like to ask our local members to reach out to me directly if you are able and willing to host anyone during our Tionol weekend.
Visiting attendees
And on the flip side, if any visiting attendees need help finding lodging for the Tionol weekend, please reach out to the club and we'll do our best to assist.
Bandcamp, Bits & Bobs
Piper Tom Delaney and his wife Carline Keane are back with a new album from the band Fourwinds, and it's a banger! They are joined, of course, by their bodhran player Robbie Walsh, as well as some guests including Berry and Laura Kerr, and Alan Murray. Personally, I'm a big fan of everyone on this album so it's a no brainer for me. Have a listen!
And Sean Gavin himself is releasing a new album as well!
NO DECEMBER MEETING
And lastly, we've decided to take the month of December off to allow everyone time for the holiday's. Our next meeting will be Janurary 12, 2025. See you all there!
