Vermont School of
Irish Traditional Music

Welcome to our Fall 2023

Repertoire Series!

​

*********

​

This fall we will offer classes

on Wednesday evenings: 

Oct. 4

Oct. 11

Oct. 18

ONE WEEK BREAK

Nov. 1

Nov. 8

Nov. 15

 

Registration opens

Sept. 20th 2023

Registration deadline:

Sept. 28th, 2023

​

***********

 

Which class should I choose?

Read the class descriptions below and decide for yourself.  

In-person students are also welcome to switch classes, or to stay for both.

​

Introduction to

Core Irish Repertoire

(in-person only)

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This series is designed for people who can play an instrument, but want to get an Irish reperoitre.

 

The goal of the class is to meet other musicians,  learn some solid Irish repertoire, and practice the fine art of playing with others.

 

At the beginning of the series, we will give students a preview of all of the tunes we will teach during the series.

​

One tune will be assigned each week. We'll go through the assigned tune in class, as well as practice playing as a group.

​

By the end of the series you'll have learned six popular Vermont session tunes, and have more to listen to over the winter.

 

Dates 

Wednesdays

Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18

(One week break)

Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15

 

Time:

6:30 - 7:30 pm

​

Location for in-person classes:

Waterbury Congregational Church

8 North Main St., Waterbury Vermont

(use side entrance)

 

***************

 

Advanced

Repertoire Classes

 Online and/or in-person 

​

​

 

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This class explores Irish music and repertoire more deeply, and is geared to musicians who already have a reasonably good Irish repertoire and play at an intermediate to advanced level. 

​

​

Theme for Fall 2023

Advanced Repertoire:

​

Six Noted Composers of

Irish Traditional Music

Irish music is like a flowing stream in which each generation leaves some of their DNA behind to influence the music of succeeding generations. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who contributed theme suggestions!

  We will take other suggestions to heart, both in this series and in future series.

 

By popular demand,  we'll be offering music by six important composers of Irish traditional music, from the 17th century to the 21st. 

 

Each week, students will be assigned one tune by a given composer to learn. In addition, you will receive other tunes by that composer so that you can explore further, and learn more about their lives, compositions, and their influences.

​

Our composers for the fall will be Liz Carroll, Eamon Flynn, Josephine Marsh, Tommy Peoples, Ed Reavy,

and Turlough O'Carolan.

 

​

Advanced series online

The self-paced online “classes” will feature weekly assigned tunes, teaching tracks, video clips, and stories behind the tunes using both email and Google Drive.  We will also offer practice suggestions.

You can download and work with the audio files at your convenience.

 

Advanced series in-person

You will receive the same material offered in the online option above. 

​

In-person classes  focus on learning to play a tune at different speeds, from moderate to fast, as well as learning to play comfortably in a group setting.

​

We will also offer a chance to review and refine tunes that you might already play.

​

 

Fall Advanced Repertoire

Dates 

Wednesdays

Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Oct. 18

(One week break)

Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15

​

Time for in-person advanced classes

7:30- 9:00 pm

​

Location

Waterbury Congregational Church 8 North Main St., Waterbury Vermont (use side entrance)

 

***********

 

Who can register?

This series is open to Vermonters and out-of-staters alike - with the understanding that

no class audio files may be shared outside the class. 

 

What is the tuition?

We want to keep classes affordable for everyone, so we’re asking for a suggested registration fee of just $100 USD. 

If you are able to chip in more, we're hugely grateful.

If you are not able to afford $100, just contribute whatever you can.

 

How to register:

You can register simply by emailing us at benedictandhilari@gmail.com.

Specify which class you are registering for.

We will confirm your registration and let you know how to pay tuition.