Based on the tally of registrations we have received thus far, we have now figured out which piping skills workshops will be offered at the Northeast Tionól. The schedule for the entire weekend is also now available. Want to know all about it? Consult the website at
Just a quick reminder that Gavin’s will soon be opening rooms to the general, “Muggle” (i.e., non-Irish-music-playing) public for the tionól weekend, so if you haven’t yet reserved your room, please do so soon! “Muggles” are perfectly nice people, but they don’t always appreciate sessions in the room next door at 2 am, so the more rooms at Gavin’s we can fill, the more guilt-free fun we can have.
Only four weeks now. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
Wow, the East Coast Tionol has solved the perennial problem of sitting in a workshop which isn’t addressing whatever issues you think you’re having. Some of those workshops look brilliant. I’d love to go if I wasn’t so bloody far away. That has been one of my favourite wee festivals when I used to be able to get to it.
Thinking about it, the East Coast Tionol of 2004 is very much responsible for why I can’t get to it in 2009. Had I not gone to that, I don’t know if I would have taken up the pipes when I did. As a result thereof, I made the decision to do a PhD in the UK or Ireland instead of attend law school in the States, since I thought there would be more Irish music out here and also, I wouldn’t be in law school.
If you haven’t made your reservations at Gavin’s yet, you may be out of luck: they’re nearly sold out! If you want to stay on-site, call them immediately at (518) 634-2582. If they are full, they can direct you to other hotels in the area.
If you’re looking for a roommate or want to share a ride, please use our roommates-and-ridesharing blog.
Befriend the Northeast Tionól on Facebook! If you have a Facebook account, search for Northeast Tionól and you’ll find our fan site. We’ll post announcements and other information there.
Would it be suitable for me to attend a beginner class having just received my pipes and never having any previous lessons? My inlaws are from East Durham so accommodations aren’t a problem and I would be in town that weekend anyway.
Sure, come on down! Glad to have you. “Beginner” classes usually consist of a variety of beginning levels anyway; for instance, I had had my pipes only about six weeks when I went to my first one and could barely play scales on the thing, and I was fine.
Besides, if you’re going to wrestle this instrument you need lots of inspiration and commiseration as well as instruction at the start – the tionol is great for all three!
I might make it down to East Durham for either Saturday or Sunday, not sure.
Can someone explain to me what the Sunday night “Piper’s Chair” thing is? I have no idea whether I, as a non-piper, would get more out of the Sat. concert of the Sunday Piper’s Chair.
The Saturday concert features the instructors. The Chair is an informal concert featuring whoever wants to get up and perform in front of their friends and fellow tionol=-goers. Open mic without the mic. (There have been some hilariously inventive “acts” in recent years…)
It is a typical cool mountain autumn afternoon. People are flocking in to registration and greeting each other as old and new friends of the same cloth. Should be a great weekend of tunes and craic here again at Gavins!
Congratulations to Kara, Susanne, Skip, Naka, Benedict and all the organizers on another fantastic weekend. And what a treat to have Gay McKeon show up – he’s just the shizznay. The music was astounding and the teachers so generous with wisdom, humor, and tech support … I can’t imagine things getting any better (except, hopefully my piping , but oh well, I can dream). I know I took away enough to keep me busy for a long time, and that’s a five-star outcome in my book. Thank you guys!!!
I wanted to go but i don’t think i have the money right now. I’ve just got my pipes about 3 months ago and i would have loved to talk to other pipers. The cost for registration does not cover the room at Gavin’s, correct? If it was one or the other I’d probably be there. Do they offer any special discounts for the musicians that week? I’ve spent so much money recently on my practice set, the DVD’s, CD’s, and Books etc., I don’t have much left for anything else.
[quote=“Cathy Wilde”]Congratulations to Kara, Susanne, Skip, Naka, Benedict and all the organizers on another fantastic weekend. And what a treat to have Gay McKeon show up – he’s just the shizznay. The music was astounding and the teachers so generous with wisdom, humor, and tech support … quote]
I second Cathy’s comments, and the Sunday night session was fantastic. I had the pleasure on Saturday of spending two hours over at the Homestead listening to Gay McKeon practice while watching BC make one of his Arundo Dasani reg reeds. Fo shizle on the shiznay! As an added bonus, I arrived with a practice set and left with a half set What more could one ask for?
And I thought I was a quick one chirping in to give a public thank you! It was a great weekend, and I wasn’t even piping (you can’t count flicking the switch on Cat’s new drones in the tea room). Yes yes a great big thank you to Kara, Susanne, Skip, Naka, Benedict and everyone who made it such a great gathering. Listening in on Kathleen’s fiddle workshop and hearing what tunes were being taught and all the musical socializing, and the concert.. just fantastic. Am proud to have been listed as “Other”.
Yes, thanks to all who organized, ran it, and played there!
Wish I could have been there for the Sat concert, but even the Sunday night thing was great. That piper who kicked off the Piper’s Chair – Clooney, was it? – man, he was something.
I found the Piper’s Chair fascinating. By the end of it I wished I had played something, but I didn’t have anything prepared. Well, there’s next year…
That has been one of my favourite wee festivals when I used to be able to get to it.
, but oh well, I can dream). I know I took away enough to keep me busy for a long time, and that’s a five-star outcome in my book. Thank you guys!!!
What more could one ask for?
