ARIZONA IRISH MUSIC SOCIETY
AIMS NEWS AND NOTES
12-30-2009
12-30-2009
AIMS News and Notes 12-30-2009
Arizona Irish Music Society
Information Line: 602-770-8077
Signup - azirishmusic@ yahoo.com
George L. O’Brien - azirishmusic@ yahoo.com
News -azirishmusic@ yahoo.com
Anyone interested in receiving the Directory/Calendar only version of
this newsletter should e-mail us at azirishmusic @yahoo..com. You will be
able to read the entire newsletter on the web at www.azirishmusic.com/00000000.htm.
The Expanded Irish Cultural Center Gift Shop run by Pat McCrossan, the former
proprietors of Ireland's Own, is now open from 10:30 am until 6 pm Tuesday
through Friday and from 10:30 am until 3 pm on Saturday. It will also be
open for any ICC special events. Come and browse through our extensive inventory.
Everything from crystal, pewter, Belleek, Claddagh rings in gold and silver,
Celtic jewelry, teas, candies, cookies, videos, DVDs, CDs, books, music
and much more. Call (602) 254-6094.
The Irish Cultural Center
is at 1106 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-258-0109
www.azirish.org
The Irish Cultural Center
is at 1106 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-258-0109
www.azirish.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
---- Lis Doon Varana Seisiun On Vacation
This Wed
--- Valentine's Day Dessert Potluck
At The ICC
--- First Friday
Is On Jan 1 (New Year’s Day Evening)
---
Ifa Meeting On Wed Jan 6
--- Additional Auditions Have
Been Added For Celtic Chorus In January
2.
Fingal At ICC On Jan 15
3. Arizona Irish
Lass Teen Competition Jan 9
4.
Term 1 Of Academy
Of Irish & Celtic Studies Begins January 11
5. Memo From Vicky Champion
6. Sat
Jan 16 Mesa Caledonian Pipe
Band Concert
7 This Week in Irish Music
1 OUT AND ABOUT
---- LIS DOON VARANA SEISIUN ON VACATION
THIS WED
We’ll be back on Wed., Jan 6 and ready to go.
--- VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERT POTLUCK AT THE ICC
The IFA and the
ICC Academy Classes are sponsoring a Valentine's Day Dessert Potluck at the
ICC, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoeniz, AZ, from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, 14 February
2010.
--- FIRST FRIDAY IS ON JAN 1 (NEW YEAR’S DAY EVENING)
AFter a night of debauchery and day of football games,
I’m sure everyone will be happy to escape to the ICC for seisiun, dinner and
art show.. Music starting at 7:00 PM
--- IFA MEETING ON WED JAN 6
The Irish Foundation of Arizona will meet on Wednesday,
6 Jan 10, at The Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix at 7:00
P.M. There will be a short business
meeting, followed by a fun-filled episode of Ballykissangel (an Irish television
program filmed in Avoca, in the Wicklow area). We hope to see you!
--- ADDITIONAL AUDITIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR CELTIC CHORUS IN JANUARY
Contact
ms. Van slyke for your opportunity to audition - celticachorale@gmail.com
beginning Jan
In partnership with The Irish Cultural Center, a new professional level 16 -20 voice Chorale known as “ Celtica! ’ will be holding auditions for experienced singers and/or instrumentalists (Celtic) with a love for the music of the Celts throughout history. Founding Director of Music and Conductor Coleen Van Slyke, announces auditions, held in the Center’s Cottage starting on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. Interested singers and/or those who are proficient in the instruments of the Celts should email their interest, brief resume, and contact information to celticachorale@gmail.com. Replies will contain more information and the details of the audition process. Regular rehearsals will be held Tuesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:30PM.
Ms Van Slyke, a proud member of the Hogan Clan, and a trained Conductor, Singer and Pianist in her own right, seeks to offer an exciting new opportunity in the Phoenix Arts Community. As far as Choral Celtic Music, it would be difficult to find one Choir anywhere that doesn’t devote the occasional Concert to it, but as far as Non-Academic Ensembles devoted entirely to the Choral Music of all the Celts - Irish, Welsh, Scots, Breton, Manx, among others, Celtica! appears to be the first Choral Ensemble of it’s kind in the Nation, and only the second in North America.
In partnership with The Irish Cultural Center, a new professional level 16 -20 voice Chorale known as “ Celtica! ’ will be holding auditions for experienced singers and/or instrumentalists (Celtic) with a love for the music of the Celts throughout history. Founding Director of Music and Conductor Coleen Van Slyke, announces auditions, held in the Center’s Cottage starting on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 from 7:00 - 9:30 PM. Interested singers and/or those who are proficient in the instruments of the Celts should email their interest, brief resume, and contact information to celticachorale@gmail.com. Replies will contain more information and the details of the audition process. Regular rehearsals will be held Tuesday evenings, 7:00 - 9:30PM.
Ms Van Slyke, a proud member of the Hogan Clan, and a trained Conductor, Singer and Pianist in her own right, seeks to offer an exciting new opportunity in the Phoenix Arts Community. As far as Choral Celtic Music, it would be difficult to find one Choir anywhere that doesn’t devote the occasional Concert to it, but as far as Non-Academic Ensembles devoted entirely to the Choral Music of all the Celts - Irish, Welsh, Scots, Breton, Manx, among others, Celtica! appears to be the first Choral Ensemble of it’s kind in the Nation, and only the second in North America.
2. FINGAL AT ICC ON
JAN 15
On Jan 15, the band Fingal will perform at the Irish Cultural
Center, 1106 N. Central, Ave, Phoenix, AZ
Four
Peaks Irish Arts and The Irish Cultural and Learning Foundatiopn will be presenting
Fingal in concert. Fingal is the name of an exciting new trio in the
world of Irish music. Its members are well known and respected worldwide for
their musicianship and commitment to the roots of the Irish tradition. These
are master musicians who know how to deliver the passion and power of this
ancient music in the here and now. FINGAL will be performing in Arizona on
Friday, January 15, 2010 at 8:00 PM at the Irish Cultural Center located at
1106 North Central Avenue in downtown PhoenixBand Biography:
The world of Irish
traditional music is in some ways like the jazz world - there are certain
musicians known to insiders as the "real thing", the genuine creative artists
of the music.
These players often
combine and recombine in new groups, searching for fresh inspiration. It's
safe to say that the members of Fingal would fall into that category, and
the fact that they've formed a touring group has got the trad music world
abuzz. James Keane was a founding member of the great Castle Ceili Band
in Ireland and is among the truly legendary figures in Irish music; Singer
and guitarist Daithi Sproule has been a member of the band Altan for many
years; Randal Bays made two seminal recordings with fiddler Martin Hayes
plus a string of highly acclaimed solo releases. Although this trio
was formed only a few years ago, Fingal's musical connections go deep and
wide.
They’re playing exactly
the music they want to play, and the result is a powerhouse of a trad group
that knows how to deliver the full voltage of the Irish music tradition.
3. ARIZONA IRISH LASS TEEN COMPETITION JAN 9
COMPETITION SATURDAY,
JANUARY 9, 2010 
2:00-5:00 pm
Irish Cultural Center
2:00-5:00 pm
Irish Cultural Center
1106 N. Central Avenue,
Phoenix, AZ
This program is designed to introduce young women of Irish descent ages 13 through 17 years old and their families to the Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Program. Two titleholders of Arizona Irish Lass will be selected with a prize package awarded to each. They represent the Irish community in area events and will debut on stage during the Selection night for the 2010 Arizona Colleen. All contestants will ride in the 27th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Phoenix.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 5, 2010
Nonrefundable application fee is $15 each
JUDGING CRITERIA
1. Ability to introduce herself on stage and meet new people
2. Ability to share about her family and being Irish
3. Her overall well-roundedness in life – school, family, extracurricular, etc.
4. Poise and manners
5. Talent (2-3 minute performance/presentation on stage)
6. Short Essay
SCORING
The following weights are placed on the phases of competition:
Questionnaire 5%
Written Essay 15%
On-Stage Speaking (Introduction) 10%
On-Stage Interview with Judges 20%
(Overall Well-Rounded in Life)
On-Stage Question about being Irish 10%
Poise and manners 20%
Talent 20%
Total 100%
ESSAY
You may select ONE from among three topics that are chosen each year for 600-800 words. Ask for details regarding formatting.
The 2010 Lass topics are (select one for your essay):
What is one thing about your community (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, or world) you would like to change? How would making this change affect you and others?
Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” What is your opinion of Einstein’s statement? Support your ideas with reasons and examples taken from your readings, studies, experiences, and observations.
Teaching someone else how to do something can be rewarding. Think of a skill that you've taught someone else how to do. Perhaps you taught someone else how to swim, showed someone how to bake a cake, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Think about the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and explain why it was an important experience for you.
Nonrefundable application fee is $15 each
JUDGING CRITERIA
1. Ability to introduce herself on stage and meet new people
2. Ability to share about her family and being Irish
3. Her overall well-roundedness in life – school, family, extracurricular, etc.
4. Poise and manners
5. Talent (2-3 minute performance/presentation on stage)
6. Short Essay
SCORING
The following weights are placed on the phases of competition:
Questionnaire 5%
Written Essay 15%
On-Stage Speaking (Introduction) 10%
On-Stage Interview with Judges 20%
(Overall Well-Rounded in Life)
On-Stage Question about being Irish 10%
Poise and manners 20%
Talent 20%
Total 100%
ESSAY
You may select ONE from among three topics that are chosen each year for 600-800 words. Ask for details regarding formatting.
The 2010 Lass topics are (select one for your essay):
What is one thing about your community (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, or world) you would like to change? How would making this change affect you and others?
Albert Einstein said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” What is your opinion of Einstein’s statement? Support your ideas with reasons and examples taken from your readings, studies, experiences, and observations.
Teaching someone else how to do something can be rewarding. Think of a skill that you've taught someone else how to do. Perhaps you taught someone else how to swim, showed someone how to bake a cake, or helped someone learn how to study more effectively. Think about the events that made up the process of teaching the skill, and explain why it was an important experience for you.
The Academy of Celtic
Studies begin the first term on January 11. The cost for music and language
classes is $100.00 for
the 8 week term. Private lessons are available in 30 or 60 minute time
slots. The cost for private lessons is $20.00 per 30 minute class and $40.00
per 60 minute class. For further information, please call (602) 254-6094.
The 3rd Saturday of most months, we offer Ceili dance lessons. This is a 2 hour dance-intensive workshop, geared towards both beginning and advanced dancers of all ages. Cost is $16.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12. Call Mary at 602-258-0109. Class days and times vary, and can usually be adjusted to suit your schedule. If you are interested in participating in the Academy, it is not too late to begin.
Classes offered:
5-String Banjo (Clawhammer)
5-String Banjo (Scruggs Style)
Accordion
Bagpipes
Banjo (Irish Tenor)
Bodhran
Ceili Dance
Fiddle
Guitar
Harp
Highland Dance
Irish Language
Irish Step Dancing
Mandolin
Music Theory
Piano/Keyboard
Pipe Band Drumming
Slow Seisiun
Welsh Language
Whistle/Flute
the 8 week term. Private lessons are available in 30 or 60 minute time
slots. The cost for private lessons is $20.00 per 30 minute class and $40.00
per 60 minute class. For further information, please call (602) 254-6094.The 3rd Saturday of most months, we offer Ceili dance lessons. This is a 2 hour dance-intensive workshop, geared towards both beginning and advanced dancers of all ages. Cost is $16.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12. Call Mary at 602-258-0109. Class days and times vary, and can usually be adjusted to suit your schedule. If you are interested in participating in the Academy, it is not too late to begin.
Classes offered:
5-String Banjo (Clawhammer)
5-String Banjo (Scruggs Style)
Accordion
Bagpipes
Banjo (Irish Tenor)
Bodhran
Ceili Dance
Fiddle
Guitar
Harp
Highland Dance
Irish Language
Irish Step Dancing
Mandolin
Music Theory
Piano/Keyboard
Pipe Band Drumming
Slow Seisiun
Welsh Language
Whistle/Flute
5. MEMO FROM
VICKY CHAMPION
Dia
Daoibh, a chairde!
Nollaig Shona Daoibh!
The most common response to this would be: "Nollaig Mhaith
Chugat"
(NO-lihg
Wy HU-gut)Literally-"A good Christmas to you."
I hope this message finds you all well and happy and ready
for the holidays. My household is busy, busy with shopping, cleaning,
decorating, and cooking as I'm sure yours is, as well. The Christmas
Party at the ICC was a hit with lots of food and music and fun.. I saw some
of you there and hope to see more of you soon.
Remember, after the holiday hustle and bustle calms down,
the new Irish Cultural Center Session will begin on January 11, with our Irish
Language beginning Tuesday, January 12.
We will conduct classes the same way as last session, with newbie beginners
and beginners at 6:30 with me and Maria, conversation at 7:30 with Jason,
and intermediate/advanced at 8:30 with Michael.
I hope to see you all there and ready to start a shiny
new year of fun and learning with us!
I found this video clip and thought you might like
it: (it's just kinda pretty!)
Bain tú sult as!
Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh"
(AH vlee-ihn fwee WAH-shuh Heev)
"You have a Prosperous New Year."
(AH vlee-ihn fwee WAH-shuh Heev)
"You have a Prosperous New Year."
6. SAT JAN
16 MESA CALEDONIAN PIPE BAND CONCERT
4:00 PM Jan 16 the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band and the Arizona Academy of Highland Dance will have a concert at the
Mesa Amphitheatre.
4:00 PM Jan 16 the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band and the Arizona Academy of Highland Dance will have a concert at the
Mesa Amphitheatre.
Youth 6-12 $8
Adults $10
Senior $8
Family (up to 4) $27
Adults $10
Senior $8
Family (up to 4) $27
Families are especially
encouraged to come out and enjoy some excellent piping, drumming and traditional
highland dancing. Bring some
lawn chairs, blankets and have a picnic with your family, friends and neighbors.