info on Fleadh's

Trad Irish Music
1

Hi all,

My bother and I have been thinking of having a go at the Fleadh next year. I play whistle and flute and my brother plays pipes. What I do know is there are under 18, under 15 and under 12 age groupings. But I wish to know what would be expected from me or anyone else who would like to enter:

What tunes do you have to play (and how many parts in each tune), e.g. jigs reels hornpipes etc or a selection of tune types?

Is there a separate Slow air section to enter?

Do you need to be a member of the CCE?

Do you have to be taught by a CCE registered school of music? Or can individuals taught by family members also count for entry?

Thanks to all that could enlighten me in regarding these questions.

Good luck,
Orlagh

2

Orla, I don’t know if you need to be a member of CCE, but I believe you do need to be ranked and rated by a CCE judge to get into a fleadh. As I understand it, a fleadh ceoil is usually a competition of the best musicians as previously ranked by CCE judges from various areas coming together to “have it out”. Probably it would be in your best interests to join CCE and get into the loop, so that you would know what is expected of you, and get yourself up to par. You don’t have to be taught by a CCE teacher, but you do have to come up to CCE standards.

djm

3

Hi Orlagh!

I’ll attempt to answer some of your questions (I haven’t competed in a couple of years, but the basics haven’t changed, as far as I know).
Competitions are held under 12, under 15, under 18, and over 18, usually for each instrument/voice (I think things like Irish conversation are categorised slightly differently). There are competitions for dance music, and for slow airs - each divided into the age categories above, as well as by instrument. So if you play flute and whistle, you can enter the flute, flute slow air, whistle, and whistle slow air competitions (if you feel so inclined).

The number of tunes depends on the age category you fall into. For dance tunes, I think (this was a while ago!) under-12s have to play 2 tunes, of different types (i.e. one reel, one hornpipe / one jig, one polka etc. - any dance tunes). Under 15s play (? I think) 3 tunes, and under 18s 4 tunes. I could be wrong on the U-18s - I have a funny feeling that the senior (over-18 ) competitions require 4, so U-18 could just be 3. Same number (I think) required per category for slow airs. As far as I know, it really doesn’t matter how many parts etc a tune has - but it does have to be specifically Irish, so tunes from Scotland/Shetland/Brittany/Cape Breton that have crept into the Irish tradition may get you disqualified.

You don’t have to be a member of CCE to take part, nor do you have to be taught by anyone affiliated with CCE. However, the fee to take part in competitions is slightly higher for non-members than for members, so it might make sense to pay your membership dues and avail of the lower rate if you’re planning to enter a lot of competitions! (I swear I’m not mercenary - really :smiley: ).

For more info, the best idea would be to try to find your nearest Comhaltas branch - they’ll have (or should) a full list of rules, as well as adjudication guidelines, so they’ll be able to give you a good idea of what will be looked for if and when you take part. Failing that, CCE has a website - www.comhaltas.com - and they do have a contact email listed, so you could try getting in touch with them through that. (Also, for anyone who checks that site, the only branches listed are branches with webpages - there are more than 3 in Munster!)

If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me or whatever - as I say, I haven’t taken part in competitions in a few years, but I have been teaching for a Comhaltas branch, and I know quite a few people who adjudicate fairly regularly.

Deirdre

4

Wow. When does a tune become Irish? I mean, will Mrs MacLeod get you disqualified? Or St. Anne’s reel? I mean, Micho Russel played that one, or isn’t that enough pedigree for an Irish tune? Aren’t reels (as in all reels, the tune type reel) originally Scotish? And hornpipes English? Can you play Mazurkas? Fascinating. Do they publish lists of “Irish” tunes? Just wondering.

5

Good questions.

6

Good questions, indeed. I don’t endorse or condone this - I mentioned it purely because I know that this has happened. I think that, in the exact instance I actually know about, the tune is commonly played in Irish sessions, etc, but was composed by a Shetland musician, rather than was part of the Shetland music tradition… Comhaltas (like God, strangely :stuck_out_tongue: ) works in mysterious ways!

7

I don’t find that mysterious at all. Every child knows that for centuries now the Shetlanders have oppressed the Irish, taken their land, burned their houses, forbidden their language, music, and dances, and have kept the Irish in poverty and ignorance. I am glad the Comhaltas at least stands up to this sort of thing.

8

Hi Orlagh,
Check your private messages - I sent you a copy of the Fleadh information put out by CCE. If you contact your nearest CCE chapter (check on their main website) they can give you information and help you out. I have always found the CCE people to be very helpful and supportive of young musicians. Good luck, and have fun!
Sue

9

Thanks for all your help and I indeed have all the info I need thanks to you guys.

Orla :slight_smile: