Wow what a great weekend. Flute workshop with John Skelton was great. He’s a fantabulous player and teacher. I think everyone enjoyed his class. Concert was loads of fun… Joanie Madden… smokin’ 
That woman can THROW DOWN.. Excuse my ignorance here, but I’ve never really heard her play before. And I’ve never heard a boehm flute sound so freakin ballsy. Anyway, I wish I could have hung around and talked to more of you fluters that were there this weekend…was kind of busy w/ the kiddos. We did get to disrupt a couple of workshops..that’s always fun 
just kidding. Anyway, I’ll stop rambling now.
Adios
It was a great weekend! I agree that the flute workshop was a terrific learning experience. (Your child was very well behaved!) I’m going back and listening to my tapes of the workshop, now, to remember all the advice/tips, etc.
Jeanie
Hey thanks Jeanie
I’m not sure if I met you there; didn’t get to talk to many people. Were you playing a boehm flute? I’ve been listening to my tapes too..just listening to John’s tone and phrasing has really helped me. Later!
We need to bring Mr. Skelton out West. I have his “A Few Tunes” book and CD and his meandering style and variations are really unique. That and the follow-up “A Few More Tunes” are available from Celtic Grooves.
Cheers,
Aaron
Hey Aaron
I saw those this weekend and almost bought one. I did buy his cd Double Barreled (w/ Kieran O’Hare), and it’s fantastic.
No, I wasn’t playing a Boehm. I played the keyed Copley.
I think it’s great how the flute class included people from around the US–Texas, St. Louis, Kentucky, etc. It can be isolating to play Irish flute in some areas, so events like this are a great chance to come together to learn from each other.
Not to steal the St. Louis Tíonol’s thunder but you should consider the Friday Harbor camp in March. Catherine McEvoy has been instructing the last few years and she is brilliant. I was only able to attend one class but that alone was very inspiring. Plus Friday Harbor (and the ferry trip there) is beautiful
At the last school there were folks from New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas among other locales.
Cheers,
Aaron
John’ Skelton’s “A Few Tunes” CD and book are great! I got the first set at the concert Saturday night. He’s wonderfully relaxed … seeing his notation for the tunes while listening to his great renditions is really helpful. I’ll get the next set as soon as I’ve learned this batch of 45, 
!
Excellent!! I’ve always wanted to make a trip up that way; now I have a good excuse. Ooh maybe I can sneak in a bit of steelhead fishing while I’m up there too 
Are you planning on going next year Aaron?
Jonathan,
I think you and your wife get the prize for Most Dedicated. A 15-hour drive, was it? And your kids are cute as buttons!
Glad you made it home safe!
Cat.
(The One With The Fish Pen.)
P.S. Do you know some folks from a band called Last Night’s Fun out of Lubbock? They’re going to be up here for the weekend and have invited us to a session Friday nite. Sound like fun folks …
Cat!
I realized who you were after we got back home! I had a dejavu kinda thing when we were talking about flutes and later realized it was because of a post you had made to this forum (honkin flutes thread) 
Hey thanks again for helping me out! Anyway, yeah Last Night’s Fun is a great group; I’m sure you will enjoy playing w/ them. laterz
Ok I remember now..
Yeah it’s great that we have opportunities like this, especially for those of us who are really really isolated…(I would definitely fall under that category 
)
Friday Harbor is definitely on my calendar.
Cheers,
Aaron
Hoovorff - Thanks for letting me try your Copley at the Tionol! I was amazed at the difference from my Keyless Copley - I think Dave’s work has improved in the 3 years since I got mine. Now I have two problems: Getting good enough (Skelton’s workshop helped!) to justify spending the $$ for keys, and saving my pennies!
To everyone else - this was my third year at the STL Tionol. I’ve learned something new from John Skelton each time - he’s a great instructor. The festival is always extremely well organized and the Saturday night concert is always incredible. Next year is the Tenth annual - see you all there!