30th May
Pat Conlon
Therese O'Hora
Maria O'Hara
Paul O'Connor
Monica Doyle
Seamus Duffy
Frances Lambe
Mary Doyle
Shay Eustace
Met at Blessington VEC to discuss the possibility of setting up a branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, and the general “health” of the traditional music scene in Blessington & surrounding areas.
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Positive elements of Comhaltas that were raised included:
Teachers
A sense of identity
Organisation
Information
The possiblity of concerts was mentioned but the message was that Comhaltas does not organise concerts as such. Nor do they provide instruments.
Negative opinions were expressed about the idea of competition, but others liked the idea.
The importance of children was highlighted.
The problems associated with a lack of interest in music in the area were mentioned.
It was suggested that oration be included in the list of arts to be encouraged.
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In order not to create a rift or, divide energies, or generate uncertainty about the difference between the Des Carty Music School efforts and any other proposed efforts, it was agreed that a consolidation of what we have already in the area be made.
We should all promote music as best we can among our own friends and families; attend each other’s concerts; send our children to the lessons that are being established; discuss new initiatives in the organisations we are part of or involved with.
We should meet again to turn this loose report into a formal report on The Current State of Traditional Music in Blessington & its Environs, by filling in all the gaps using each person’s knowledge of what is going on and who we can talk to.
& THEN to outline all the ideas we have for creating a better music environment in the area, and to prioritise the actions and activities we have in mind, and delegate responsibility.
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The main areas we could focus attention on in relation to music activity include (this needs filling in):
The Des Carty Music School:
Mary Doyle has brought a number of teachers from the Des Carty Music School together on a Monday night in the Community College to offer lessons.
We need more details from Mary on what classes there are, at what times, with what teachers … and also what her plans are for additional classes if she has any
We need to encourage attendance of the classes among our own families, friends and in the organisations we are all involved with in the community
We would hopefully need to source more teachers to cater for different age groups and instruments. (Would it be possible to work with the likes of Fuinneamh in this regard?)
Links with neighbouring musical activities, such as:
Hollywood
What action?
Donard
Action?
Kilteel
Action?
Links with local bands:
Fuinneamh
We should encourage Fuinneamh to play locally and bring our families along to their concerts. We might also consider asking them to visit the schools and play a few tunes during class time.
Arc
(Based in Hollywood)
The Heather Breeze??
Links with local sessions:
Pat & his friends
Maria O’Hara & friends in Valleymount???
Dunlavin
(West Wicklow, 8-10 pm Sunday evenings????)
Others – please provide
Links with local players of note:
Phil Callary
Others – please provide
A database of all people interested in traditional music who live/work in the area.
Links with schools:
Creches
Action – find out more about what is going on by talking to Principal, and coming up with ways of encouraging links between Des Carty & the pupils of the school
Gaelscoil na Lochanna
There is already some activity in the school in traditional music and oration.
Action – find out more by talking to Principal, and coming up with ways of encouraging links between Des Carty & the pupils of the school
St Mary’s
Action – find out more about what is going on by talking to Principal, and coming up with ways of encouraging links between Des Carty & the pupils of the school
Community College
Action – find out more by talking to Principal, and coming up with ways of encouraging links between Des Carty & the pupils of the school
Music for toddlers
Discuss with Karon introducing some traditional music elements into the class and perhaps some simple dances
[Does anyone know if there are simple dances kids can learn based on traditional tunes?]
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Ideas in relation to children
Could we get the music-playing children of each school to visit the other schools to play a few tunes for the others?
Could we build up to a combined concert of some sort for the schools, and perhaps they could parade through the village all together at some stage. Would need to coordinate a tune or two across all the schools.
Other ideas:
A practice/session get-together in VEC
Regular notices in the newsletter and in the form of handouts in the village about traditional music (possibly produce a 1-page insert for the newsletter at some stage summarising traditional music in the area)
Concerts
Parade involvement
A Website
A calendar of events
A lecture series about music
Visiting musicians to be encouraged
House sessions – try to encourage a return to the idea of visiting people’s houses to play and listen to music
