Dear Friends,
I will host a workshop/concert/master class for Cathal McConnell, the
great whistle and flute player from the group Boys of the Lough, on
Saturday, Jan. 21st from 2:30 to 5:30.
Marymount Manhattan College has graciously agreed to let us use their
theater for the event. The college is located at 221 East 71st between
2nd and 3rd Avenues in Manhattan. Take the #6 Train (Lexington Ave. Line) to 68th and Lexington and walk up and over a few blocks. If driving, get directions here:
http://marymount.mmm.edu/visit/directions.html
The fee for the workshop is $35. I am now taking reservations, so please
e-mail me if you’d like to attend. You may pay by cash or check on the
day of the event.
The format will be different from that of most workshops. Participants at
this event will primarily listen to Cathal play and demonstrate. Bring
your instruments to try out techniques, but come prepared to mostly
listen, absorb and ask questions. I would also encourage everyone to
bring a tape, disc or MP3 recorder. At previous workshops Cathal has
played virtually non-stop, so you if you record the event you are sure to
come away with a few hours of great material to learn.
For those of you who don’t know Cathal, here is some background. He is
one of the best-loved performers in the world of Celtic music. Cathal’s
free spirit and mercurial stage presence have helped make The Boys of the Lough one of the most popular and longest-running acts on the folk music circuit.
Cathal defies easy categorization as a muscian. He is equal parts modern
virtuoso and old-time roots musician. On the one hand, Cathal is capable
of stopping a show with dazzling displays of technical virtuosity. On the
other hand, he can render an old ballad or tune with a poignancy
reminiscent of the great fireside musicians of the past. Sometimes
serious and sometimes zany, Cathal is always full of surprises. Whether
deconstructing an old tune or composing a new one, he has a flair for the
unusual. Yet his experimental side is balanced by a deep love for and
commitment to the tradition.
Cathal was born in Bellinaleck, County Fermanagh in 1944. He traces flute playing back through four generations in his family. Encouraged by his father, he was playing tin whistle at age eleven and at age fifteen took
up the flute. Cathal won the All-Ireland championship on both the flute
and tin whistle in 1962, and in 1967 founded The Boys of the Lough with
Robin Morton and Tommy Gunn.
Despite almost forty years on the road as a performer, Cathal has never
become jaded about playing or singing. Music is his passion and he
approaches it with undiminished enthusiasm. Not content to rest on his
laurels, he is constantly learning, revising, experimenting and growing.
It is always inspiring to be in his presence.
Cathal now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. The master class at Marymount on Jan. 21st will be his first New York solo appearance in six years. I hope you can join us.
Best wishes,
Bill Ochs
Having seen Cathal at the Blarney Star in Manhattan about 8 years ago, I can tell you that this is one not to miss if you’re anywhere in the area. I sat through 3 shows with Bill and my daughter completely rapt on that occasion. I found Cathal enchanting - he plays, he talks, he tries various whistles, he tells stories - smiling all the while. A tremendous opportunity. You can e-mail reservations directly to Bill, but please direct all other questions/issues/comments to me at Bill’s request. Thanks.
Hope to see some of you there.
Philo
Thanks and looking forward to seeing those C&Fers who will attend.
