Registration opens March 20th, 2025
Registration Deadline:
April 2nd, 2025
Classes begin:
April 9th, 2025
"Thank you again for doing these amazing sessions. I always look forward to learning the tunes that you both have chosen. I really enjoy reading and hearing about the tunes with all of their twists and history. The tunes really come alive when I go through the on-line sessions with your description of the tunes (and the you tube choices) and how they can be played with the different variations.
Many thanks yet again for your outstanding work and dedication."
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"The tunes and knowledge you impart have enriched my life in many ways.."
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"I enjoy learning about particular tune writers because so often we are playing tunes but we don’t have any idea who wrote them. Your supplementary materials are things I refer to year after year, so thank you so much for putting this together.
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Classes & Workshops
Class Description
Welcome to our Spring 2025
Repertoire Series!
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"Irish traditional music sessions can offer a unique connection between people who otherwise might not even have known each other."
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Registration opens
March 20th, 2025
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Registration deadline:
April 2nd, 2025
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Which class should I choose?
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Read the class descriptions below and decide for yourself.
In-person students are also welcome to switch classes,
or to stay for both.
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Introduction to
Core Irish Repertoire
(in-person only)
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This in-person series is designed for people who can already play an instrument, but want to learn more about Irish traditional music and the repertoire that is commonly played
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We also welcome more experienced Irish musicians who would like to review and practice core repertoire.
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It's all about community!
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The goal of the class is to meet other musicians, learn some solid Irish repertoire, and enjoy the art of playing with others.
One tune will be assigned each week, accompanied by the story behind the tune, videos, and instructional recordings.
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We'll go through the assigned tune in class, review tunes already assigned, and practice playing them with each other
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By the end of the series you'll have learned some popular Irish session tunes.
But you will also make some new friends and be introduced to both the local and the world-wide community of people who love Irish music.
Dates :
Wednesdays
April 9th through May 14th, 2025
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Time:
6:30 - 7:45 pm
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Location for in-person classes:
Waterbury Congregational Church
8 North Main St., Waterbury Vermont
(use side entrance)
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Advanced
Repertoire Classes
Online and/or in-person
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This class aims to give musicians a deeper look into Irish music and repertoire, and is geared to musicians who play at an intermediate to advanced level, and want to learn more about iconic musicians and styles of playing.​​
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The fact is, you can pick up tunes anywhere, and as Irish musicians we often do!
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So every year, the music school tries to focus on particular composers or players of Irish music to provide a deeper look into the tradition.
We hope that learning about the composers of this music (and some of the stories behind the tunes) will help make both the music and the playing of it more meaningful to you.
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Theme for Spring 2025
The Lennon Family of County Leitrim
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​​From Kiltyclogher in County Leitrim, the Lennon family is renowned worldwide for their contributions to Irish Traditional Music. Their music is embedded in the fabric of Irish traditional music today, and many of us have played their tunes without realizing who composed them.
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Each week we will give you one or two tunes by one of the Lennons to learn. But in addition, we will offer sound files of other tunes composed by one of these famed musicians so that you can get a larger sense of the repertoire of this remarkable musical family.
We’re excited to explore the music and the lives of the Lennon family whose music has influenced several generations of Irish musicians worldwide.​​
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Advanced Series Online
The self-paced online “classes” will feature weekly assigned tunes, teaching sound files, video clips, and stories behind the tunes using both email and Google Drive.
We will also offer practice suggestions.
You can download and work with the audio files at your convenience.
Advanced Series In-Person
You will receive the same material offered in the online option above.
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In-person classes focus on socializing with other musicians, learning to play a tune at different speeds, from moderate to fast, as well as learning to play comfortably in small to large group setting.
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Dates
Wednesdays, April 9th - May 14th, 2025​
Time
7:45- 9:00 pm
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Location
Waterbury Congregational Church 8 North Main St., Waterbury Vermont (use side entrance)
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Who can register?
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This series is open to Vermonters and out-of-staters alike - with the understanding that
no class audio files may be shared outside the class.
What is the tuition?
We want to keep classes affordable for everyone, so we’re asking for a suggested registration fee of just $100 USD.
If you are able to chip in more to help those who can't afford it, we're hugely grateful.
If you are not able to afford $100, just contribute whatever you can.
How to register:
You can register simply by emailing us at benedictandhilari@gmail.com.
Specify which class you are registering for.
We will confirm your registration and let you know how to pay tuition.
