Gaelic
The Fourth Annual Tulsa Gaelic Language and Music Weekend
Join us for Two days of workshops focusing on the language, culture and music of the Scottish Highlands on the University of Tulsa Campus. Sponsored by the Scottish Club of Tulsa, Tulsa Gaelic Studies Group, The University of Tulsa Department of Music and TU Language House.
Printable Brochure & Registration Form [pdf]
October 13-14, 2007
The Fourth Annual Tulsa Gaelic Language and Music Weekend consists of two days of language, music, and song workshops exploring the life and culture of the Scottish Highlands. For this year’s event, we’ve expanded our offerings and faculty to include two native Gaelic speakers. In additional to Muriel Fisher from the Isle of Skye, we are also bringing in Christine Primrose, who is originally from the Isle of Lewis.
The event takes place October 13 and 14 on the University of Tulsa campus. The workshops on Saturday, October 13 are focused at a variety of learners, including those with no prior knowledge of Gaelic or Celtic Music. Two workshops are especially for non-musicians. The first is the Musical Scotland workshop, in which several musicians will take the audience through a whirlwind 50 minute tour of the music of Scotland. The second is “Tales of the Highlands and Islands,” in which Christine Primrose and Muriel Fisher tell stories of growing up in Scotland’s Hebridean Islands. The Musical Scotland is free and open to the public, and the Tales session requires a $20 registration fee.
A variety of other workshops will also be offered on Saturday (each does involve a fee). They include two bodhran classes (taught by Rick Ewing), a Scottish fiddle class (taught by Julia Harris), an introduction to the tin whistle (Miranda Arana), Tunes for the tin whistle (John Norvell), and Celtic Guitar (Steve Vanlandingham).
Students in the Scottish Fiddle, Celtic Guitar and Tunes for the Tin Whistle workshops are expected to know how to play their instruments. Beginners are welcome in the Bodhran and Intro to Tin Whistle workshops. All students are expected to provide their own instruments.
Saturday will also include three workshops on Gaelic singing (no knowledge of the language required) and three Gaelic language workshops (include one introductory session).
Sunday, October 14 will be dedicated to those wishing to study the Gaelic language in more depth.
Most of the music workshops are limited to 12 participants, so advance registration is encouraged.The event is co-sponsored by the Tulsa Gaelic Studies Group, the Scottish Club of Tulsa, and the University of Tulsa Music Department. And we are now an official Homecoming event. All events will be held on the University of Tulsa campus, 3120 E. 4th Place, Tulsa, OK 74104.
Schedule
Saturday, October 13, 2007
| Language | Instruments | Song | |
| 9:00 am | Intro to Gaelic | Scottish Fiddle | Gaelic Song |
| 10:00 am | Musical Tour | ||
| 11:00 am | Highland Tales | ||
| 12:00 pm (noon) | break | for | lunch |
| 1:30 pm | Language Workshop | Bodhran (reel) | |
| 2:30 pm | Intro Whistle | Gaelic Song | |
| 3:30 pm | Language Workshop | Celtic Guitar | |
| 4:30 pm | Whistle Tunes | Gaelic Song | |
| 5:30 pm | Bodhran (jigs) | ||
| 8:00 pm | Ceilidh - Location TBA |
Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Language workshops targeted to the intermediate and advanced students; will include information for beginning Gaelic Students. Beginners are, however, strongly encouraged to first attend Saturday’s Workshops.
Descriptions
| Language | 9:00-10:15am Intro to Scottish Gaelic 1:30-2:20pm Workshop for Beginner and Intermediate Students 3:30-4:20pm Workshop for Beginner and Intermediate StudentsMuriel Fisher will teach three workshops for beginners, those who just want a flavor of the language, and those who want to review the basics. |
| Song | 9:00-9:50am;2:30-3:20pm & 4:30-5:20pmChristine Primrose will teach three workshops on Gaelic singing. The specific types of songs covered in each workshop will be identified in late summer/early fall. |
| Musical Tour | 10:00-10:50amMusical Scotland - Listen to Rick Ewing and other musicians take you on a tour of Scotland’s musical heritage - illustrated with instruments and song. For musicians and non-musicians alike. |
| Tales from the Highlands and Islands | 11:00am-12:15pmIn addition to their separate workshops, Muriel and Christine will also team up to tell stories about growing up in Scotland. Don’t miss their unique insight into the life of the Highland and Islands. |
| Instruments | Note: instrument workshops are limited to 12 students each. Students are expected to bring their own instruments.Intro to Tin Whistle - Learn the basics of playing the tin whistle; targeted at beginners and those who want a refershher. 2:30-3:20pmTunes for the Tin Whistle - Learn tunes and ornamentation. 4:30-5:20pmBodhran (jig rhythms) - Last year’s bodhran class was so popular, this year, we’ve split it into two. This one deals with techniques for jigs. 5:30-6:20pmBodhran (reel rhythms) - Techniques for reels. 1:30-2:20pmScottish Fiddle - Techniques that make the Scottish sound. 9:00-9:50amCeltic Guitar - Tips and techniques for playing in the Celtic style. 3:30-4:20pm |
Full descriptions and flyer with registration form is forthcoming. All classes on Saturday are $20 each. The Sunday Gaelic workshop is $50. For $125 you can purchase a weekend pass to all workshops including lunch both days. You must sign up for the classes you wish to attend to reserve a spot. 2007_Tulsa_Music_Gaelic_Brochure.pdf [PDF]. If you have any questions please contact Melissa Tatum melissa-tatum @ utulsa.edu. 2007_Tulsa_Music_Gaelic_press_release.pdf
Faculty
Muriel Fisher, Director, Tucson Gaelic Institute — Fisher grew up a crofter’s daughter on the Isle of Skye. She didn’t learn English until she went to school at age 6. For twenty years now, Fisher has taught Gaelic around the world, including the University of Arizona and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, She is the author of three Scottish Gaelic textbooks and is working on Level IV.
Christine Primrose — Primrose, a native Gaelic speaker, and internationally renowned traditional singer, comes from the Island of Lewis. She has won major awards at Gaelic Mods (competetive festivals) since she was seven years old and currently teaches Gaelic Song at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig on the Isle of Skye.
Miranda Arana — Arana teaches world music at the University of Oklahoma. She is an active member of Banish Misfortune, one of Oklahoma’s longest-lived Celtic music ensembles, and Arabesque, which plays a blend of music from east and west. Arana will teach Intro to Tin Whistles class.
John Norvell — Norvell, a member of the Tulsa based traditional Irish band Kilkenny Road, specializes in Irish flute and whistle. He will teach Tunes for the Tin Whistle class.
Rick Ewing — A versatile musician, Ewing is the Pipe Sargeant of the City of Tulsa Pipe and Drums and is also a member of Me in Skirts and All Strings Attached. He will lead the Musical Scotland tour and teach the bodhran classes.
Julia Harris — Harris is a regular at various area contra dances and is also a member of the Celtic band All Strings Attached. She has studied Scottish fiddle with such luminaries as Alasdair Fraser.
Steve Vanlandingham — Vanlandingham is an award winning 5-string banjo player int he “clawhammer” style. In 1980, he founded Oklahoma’s premier Celtic band, “Banish Misfortune,” still popular with adults and children. They tour and perform throughout Oklahoma in conjunction with the States Arts Council. He is also a member of the duo Arabesque and will teach the Celtic Guitar workshop.
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