2009 Friday Harbor Irish Music Camp
Concertina Class
March 15, 2009
We had a number of enthusiastic students in the concertina class with Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin this year. He offered a nice collection of tunes and guided us all in learning how to approach and play them. Gearóid even offered a series of themed tunes on the last day, specifically chosen to fit the special interest area of some of the students. His "by ear" approach was well paced and easy to work with, so once outside of class students had adequate free time to join in other activities or even other classes in addition to their concertina work. Gearóid's classes are always well liked and he is a fountain of information and insight.
I particularly enjoyed that the Friday Harbor Camp schedule allowed my mornings completely free with the concertina classes held only in the afternoon. One had a relaxed morning to refresh, visit friends and time to work on the concertina material too. We often had three or four from the concertina class gathered together in the off-times to discuss playing, events and class material.
Familiar staff was present and some new faces too. The Kane Sisters were instructing fiddle this year and their classes were quite well received. There seems to be a special enthusiasm in the blend of their fiddles and their happy warmth spreads to those that come into contact with them. I'd attended one of their dynamic performances in Killarney four years prior and it was a great pleasure hearing them perform at the Saturday night concert in Friday Harbor. That said, I don't intend for my comment to take anything away from the performances of the other staff members at the same concert. Each put on a incredible performance and I think any one of them could have stolen the show if they'd been inclined to do it.
On our last day of
classes I had the privilege of meeting a third Kane sister and learned that she
played concertina. When I first asked about her concertina background she
made little of her abilities but as soon as she started playing it was clear
that her well known sisters weren't the only talented ones in the family.
Her manner of playing put bright life into the music and I would have loved to
have heard more from her, so I hope she shows up again next year.
If you're interested in detailed comments and photos
related to my previous attendance of this event, please refer to the following
links regarding the 2008,
2007 and
2006 camps. Click on
this link for my email address if you wish
to comment or have questions about the Friday Harbor Camp.