Music at the Hedge School
The Hedge School is delighted to offer our year long course : Introduction to Traditional Irish Music in a Group Setting takes place over ten Saturdays in Leighlinbridge Parish Centre, Co Carlow between Oct - May. 11am ‘till 3pm. (See below for dates). Cost €550
The Introduction to Traditional Irish Music in a Group Setting was inspired by a couple of events. During the pandemic, Comhaltas classes were closed for a time. A weekly family Zoom meeting gave us a chance to play, to hear each other but we couldn’t play together. When things opened up again, a community session in Carlow’s Gairdín Beo brought together individuals who had been learning music. Many played that day, for the first time with other musicians. It had a profound impact on me and I determined to create opportunities for people to play together.
If you’re interested in learning and developing musical skills in a group setting, if you’d like the chance to play with others or learn tunes in the traditional way, by ear, The Hedge School Music would be delighted to be part of your creative adventure. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
This music programme includes :
Learning and playing tunes together
Exploring the world of traditional Irish music
Ensemble projects
Special guests
Opportunities to play in different settings.
Meet the tutors
Angela Keogh graduated from Drumshanbo’s ETB Traditional Irish Music Course in 2024. She plays the whistle and concertina and has a particular interest in community music. Angela is currently studying for an MA in Community Music at the University of Limerick. She facilitates the music project, the Ceoltóirí Bianconi, at the Royal Oak, Co Carlow as part of Creative Places, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.
Music breathes life into places and people. In a world that has such darkness, making music together gives voice to our emotions, creates laughter, friendships and possibilities.
Katie Jacques is a singer and music teacher based in Carlow and Cork. She graduated from the Cork School of Music with a BA in Popular Music in Voice in 2021. Subsequently, she completed her Diploma in Community Group Music Teaching with the Royal Irish Academy of Music in 2022 and has been teaching and mentoring a variety of groups both under her own practice and with organisations such as Music Generation Carlow, Carlow College of Music and Cork City Libraries.
“The easiest way to avoid wrong notes is to never open your mouth and sing. What a mistake that would be.”
“For Irish musicians, having more people involved means they are getting closer to what they instinctively feel this music is about, which is community, nurturing that sense of community, and maybe even building resilience.”
Dates for the Hedge School Introduction to Traditional Irish Music in a Group Setting 2024
Leighlinbridge Parish Centre, Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow
11am - 3pm
Saturday 12th October
Saturday 9th November
Saturday 7th December
Saturday 18th January
Saturday 8th February
Saturday 1st March
Saturday 29th March
Saturday 12th April
Saturday 17th May
Saturday 24th May
Cost €550
Get in touch.
If you are interested in learning more about music at the Hedge School, or to register your interest please get in touch.