There are a couple of Threads on this event which will be an awesome
opportunity to get to learn from some of the best whistle teachers in the
Universe (Joannie Madden, Brian McCoy, and Brian Kelso Crow)
I have been going to this festival since 1998 and it is always a great event
with the Saturday night concert at the Sheldon Auditorium one of the hightlights of the year. This old hall has the best acoustics of any place I have ever been for Irish music and there just is not a bad seat in the house.
Joanie Madden and Brian McCoy will play whistle and flute, John Skelton and Ged Foley from the House Band will be there too. John Skelton is one of the most entertaining and funny people I have ever seen on stage. No telling what will happen when he and Joanie Madden get up there together.
John also is an awesome flute player and he get standing ovations for his tunes on that loud Breton instrument, the Bombarde. It is really cool!!
Kevin Henry is a legend in the Irish Traditional music. He is a great piper, flute and whistle player and his recitations and funny stories have us all out of our chairs and helpless with mirth. The are other great musicians that will be there too playing the Pipes, Fiddle, Harp and singing. Wow, what a concert this will be
Then on Sunday, you can join in a session with these fine musicians after you have a great brunch at McGurks. There will be several sessions going on at the same time at different levels, so there is something for everyone.
I feel very fortunate to be only 100 miles from such a great event, but I srongly recommend that if you can come, it will be worth your time and effort to get there. This will be one of the best ever and I can hardly wait.
It is not too late, so go to www.tionol.org and check out the whole thing.
Mike Mullins and all the folk in St. Louis work very hard to make this a classy event that has some wonderful opportunities for whistlers to sharpen their skills. Joanie and Brian will be switching off on the intermediate and advanced classes, so you will get a pair of great teachers no matter at what level you are. Flute player, as well as fiddlers, guitar players, pipers, singers, etc, will find great musicians and teachers to help them sharpen their skills.
So, please don’t miss this event. I hope to see you there.
All the best
Mike
PS: Come on Friday night if you can and get acquainted with everyone. This is a great group.
I am in Paducah, Ky…3 hours away. I will be there most likely on saturday.
see you all then.
It would b e nice if everyone included their boardname on their name tag Saturday.