Scoil Acla 2012

Irish Flute
1

It’s just a dream for me at this point, but have any of you fluters (or anyone else, really) attended Scoil Acla in the past? Flute tutors this year are Harry Bradley, Hammy Hamilton, and Emer Mayock - quite a lineup. (Emer is also teaching at Boxwood earlier in July, but I probably can’t go this year).

I’d be interested to know more about it - how the week went, which airport you flew into, and where you stayed. It looks as if lots of kids take the classes, so I’m wondering if adults are in the minority? Is it essential to have a car?

Thanks :slight_smile:

2

Thank you, I’m interested also :slight_smile:

3

A past flute student of mine once attended and came back a completely different flutist. Her instructor was Harry Bradley. Needless to say, I was quite jealous. :smiley:

4

Good question! I’d probably go to more of these workshops if knew I wasnt
going to be the only adult in a class of kids or teenager!

I’m currently trying to find out the same info for the Blas summer school in Limerick.

Ian

5

Hello All,
Thanks for your comments and please let us know if we can be of any help or assistance to you. We have Facebook, Twitter and google + accounts as well as our usual email address info@scoilacla.com so it’s easy to get in contact with us.

Slán go fóill,

Foireann Scoil Acla

6

Heh heh, stop worrying about the teenagers and just go. I remember attending a Scoil Éigse in Listowel in 1974 - I was probably one of the oldest there and I had a ball.

I find it interesting looking back on my notes:

“Lessons were given by Tom Glackin (fiddle) (father to the well-known Glackin brothers fiddlers), Mary Bergin (whistle), Mick Allan (flute), Dan O’Dowd (pipes), Seamus MacMathuna. Two talks on the modes given by Michael O’Suillivan (UCC). Recitals from Donal De Barra (box), Lean Rowsome (pipes), John Kelly (fiddle), Miko Russell (whistle), Owen … (singer), Paul Davis (concertina), some senior students and an American piper. Talks at night from Seamus Ennis, Sean Og O’Tuoma and some of the above.”

“I was invited to join the flute class and found it invaluable. I was staggering to keep up with the 13 yr olds. Sigh!”

My point being that you might temporarily feel uncomfortable “staggering to keep up with the 13 year olds”, but is that any reason to miss out on the opportunity to learn from the best and most experienced players and teachers available? Nah!

I did go to Achill Island during the Scoil Acla in 2002, on my Self-Indulgent Flute Maker’s Tour.

http://www.mcgee-flutes.com/2002trip.htm

I didn’t partake in lessons, as I was there to meet Hammy before going on to Belfast to meet Sam Murray. I drove up from Dublin with Harry Bradley and Edain O’Donnell, so that was pretty easy, but I had no trouble going on to Westport and then Belfast on busses. So don’t worry at all about finding your way around, it’s dead easy.

(In 1974, we had ridden to Kerry on bicycles, great way to meet people, but it takes a bit more time!)

One thing I’d recommend missing out if you go to Achill. Edain suggested we should try a swim from a pretty little beach on the island. We lasted about 30 seconds.

Historical note. I think Achill Island is where St Patrick is supposed to have lead all the snakes into the water. Another good reason not to swim there.

Terry

7

Heh heh, Isn’t coincidence a funny thing. After responding above, I happened on this article about why we crave certainty, and why we should resist it.

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/why-unhappy-brains-are-better-brains-20120323-1vnyy.html

Terry

8

Thanks for the link to that article Terry, very appropriate in this part of my life :slight_smile:

9

Terry, thanks for your reply, and for the link to the article. I’m trying to live my life that way. Last summer I decided to attend Catskills Irish Week even though none of my friends was going. The first question I got from everyone was “Who are you going with?” People seemed surprised, even shocked, that I was just heading there on my own. I also heard pessimistic comments about the town of East Durham and the low quality of accommodations there. I called a B&B that looked good, and she had just had a cancellation; it was, I’m sure, by far the nicest place to stay in the area. Folks here in NS also said it would be too hot down there.

I had a wonderful week, learned a ton about music, loved the heat (it was cool and rainy here), and made new friends. I even met a woman who remembered me from high school, which was more than 40 years ago - I think she might have really been remembering my sister :slight_smile: It was my home turf region, even though I moved away and came to Canada many years ago, so I felt comfortable there.

This year, my daughter’s having a baby in July and I’m traveling to visit and help, so the Catskills week is out, and probably Boxwood too depending if the baby arrives as scheduled. I did ask her ahead of time to avoid July but kids never really pay attention. I guess she didn’t think I was serious. Others don’t get that we ITM types take our summer schools VERY seriously! Some Boxwooders begin counting the days to next year the minute they get home.

I’d prefer to travel in Ireland with someone else, partly through reluctance to try driving on the left. I’ve been to Ireland and fell in love with it - on a tour so we traveled by bus. I long to return and be on my own schedule, see the west coast, and play music. Of my likely friends here, two are going to Willie Week and the other needs to save up for such a trip. I’m not sure I can swing it now, either.. I might try my sister, who already lives elsewhere in Europe and is always up for an adventure. :thumbsup:

10

Uh-oh. I can see I’m about to be blamed for encouraging whatever crazy notion you are currently entertaining!

“Heh, guess what, Dear? I chucked in that extremely well-paying Goldman Sachs job gouging the eyes out of muppets. I’ve decided to become a flute maker…”

Just don’t mention my phone number…

Terry

11

I would recommend Scoil Acla without hesitation. I attended in the late nineties and early noughties. It is totally different to the likes of Milltown so don’t expect mad 24/7 sessions in packed pubs. You won’t find better teachers than Hammy and Harry. Harry usually takes the advanced players and Hammy does the intermediate but they change around.

Achill is quite a large island and you need to have your own car to see all it has to offer. I know that car hire in Ireland can be quite expensive and it might be cheaper to arrange your own insurance before you arrive. Stay in Keel or Dooagh (or in between the two) if you can as this is where most of the action takes place.

There are usually lots of local children who attend the classes but don’t be put off by this. There are also many more mature learners and some from other countries.

Climb Slieve Mor, Minaun and Croaghaun. Swim at Keem Bay. Go body boarding at Keel and be sure to visit Doogort!

There is a certain magic about the place and I return to Achill at least once a year.

12

And for all you google-impaired out there, here is a link to their site!

Pat

13

I don’t have anything useful to add - I just wanted to see my name on the first 5 responses. A personal best, I think.

Indeed, do I get the impression C&F is falling a little quiet? Do I have to indulge in some controversial flute science to liven things up a bit? You’ve been warned!

Edited to add: Yes, success, first five. Wow. So cool.

Hmmm, maybe it’s a sign of global warming kicking in…

Terry