If there is sufficient interest, I may give two short Swedish bagpipes courses in Minneapolis on two consecutive days in mid-March - one for beginners and one for more experienced pipers. Pipe maker Seth Hamon will provide instruments on loan/purchase. See post on the Swedish bagpipes’ forum (NSAA) for details.
Definitely down for this; I feel decent about the basic musical bits, but my technique is pretty divorced from trad playing, and it would do me good to be a bit more exposed to that background.
I hope that the event can draw in a few folks who’ve never tried sackpipa before too. Seth Hamon’s mentioned having some rental sets, and a basic Hamon set is pretty accessible at $300 for cast-resin anyway, so it’s an awfully affordable pipe.
I’m very happy to say that the courses and one concert have now been announced!
March 18, 8.30am-4.30pm: Advanced workshop
March 19, 8.30am-4.30pm: Beginner’s workshop
March 19, 7.30pm: Concert and dance
in Minneapolis
See the course announcement page for details and conditions.
And please help spread the word!
I’m really looking forward to this great opportunity to meet many of my American friends for the first time!
Olle
This looks really great Olle. If I lived anywhere close to Minneapolis I would check it out.
Think positive; Move your state further north! (or invade)
American pipers or would-like-to-be’s I have communicated with over the years, a great number I should say, are spread out all over the continent. So, wherever you locate such an event, most students have to travel I’m afraid. For the beginners’ workshop I think there is sufficient local interest though.
I think I am the first Swedish piper to give a course outside Europe.