What: Four day whistle course with Julie Fowlis
Where: Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Isle of Skye, Scotland
When: 25-28th July 2006
Julie Fowlis is regarded as one of the foremost young exponents of Highland music and song. Holder of the Pan Celtic Traditional Singer of the Year 2004, Gaelic Singer of the Year 2005 (Scots Trad Music Awards) and winner of BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award for Best Emerging Artist 2006, as well as member of award-winning group Dòchas, Julie is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer originally from the Isle of North Uist. She will be teaching a mixture of Highland, Gaelic and Irish music on the whistle.
As well as Julie, fiance Éamon Doorley will be teaching bouzouki and mandolin. Éamon is a talented and sought after session musician from Dublin. A skilled fiddler, mandolin and bouzouki player, he is a founder member of the famed Irish supergroup Danú. His musical input to the group is always subtle and extremely complimentary and although a talented tunes player and tunes accompanist, it is through his accompaniment of songs that Éamon really shines. The exciting and individual counter-melodic style of Éamon’s playing brings that extra warmth to Danú’s sound, so well blended that it is difficult to extricate from the tapestry, but which the listener is drawn to nevertheless. Éamon spends much of his time away from Danú performing with Julie.
Finally, Ross Martin will also be holding a four day course in guitar. Ross was immersed in wild west coast dances and sessions from an early age. His driving yet sensitive guitar playing has made him one of the highest regarded accompanists on the scene today. He learned his trade in Hebridean and West Highland dance halls and has gone on to tour the world extensively with Tabache, Fred Morrison and Ceòlas and has performed with Deaf Shepherd, Liz Doherty, Dàimh and ex Battlefield Band member Iain MacDonald. Ross is also much in demand for session work and TV.
Each course costs £115 for 4 days tuition and the usual discounts are also available. If you are interested in any of the above courses, and would like more information, have a look at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s short courses website at www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/cg or alternatively you can email sm00cg@uhi.ac.uk or call the Short Courses team on 01471 888 240.