SCOTTISH FIDDLE SENSATION ALASDAIR FRASER in Concert

The Republican Journal: SCOTTISH FIDDLE SENSATION ALASDAIR FRASER in Concert: "ROCKLAND- Master Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as one of Scotland’s premier musical ambassadors, presents the music of his homeland with unsurpassed eloquence, passion and energy. His dynamic fiddling, engaging stage presence, and deep understanding of Scotland's music have created a constant and international demand for his solo appearances and concerts with a variety of ensembles. He links bows with vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas in an exciting weave of rocking, reeling rhythms, poignant melodies, and exquisite musicianship. The duo has created a buzz among Celtic music lovers at festivals & concerts across the US and Europe, and their performances have been featured on nationally broadcast radio programs, including Thistle & Shamrock, Mountain Stage, and a Prairie Home Companion."

Trad music in Strokestown Park House

Roscommon Arts Centre's traditional music programme, taking place in Strokestown Park House is already a great success and this month will not be an exception. Renowned uilleann piper Tiarnan O'Duinnchinn & harpist Laoise Kelly will play in the galley kitchen of this historic house on Thursday 24th June to the delight of both traditional music enthusiasts and novices.

Tiarnán O'Duinnchinn is an award-winning uilleann piper from Monaghan who started playing the pipes when he was around nine years of age in The Armagh Pipers Club. He has won 4 Fleadh Ceoil (Ist place) All-Ireland titles -and two Oireachtas titles. Tiarnán has been touring and performing professionally on a regular basis since 1995 both as a member of various bands and as a solo performer. His music has taken him to Europe, United States, Asia, Africa, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. Tiarnán toured extensively with Máire Ní Bhraonáin (Clannad) from 1997-2001 and recorded two albums with Máire during that time. He has recorded with many different artists, between CDs, TV advertisements and his music has featured on two films.

In 2010, Tiarnán recorded on ‘Music of Ireland' in the USA with artists, Seamus Begley, Dónal Lunny, Paul Brady, Shane McGowan (Pogues), Sinéad O Connor, Damien Dempsey, Liam O Maonlaí, Glen Hansard and many more Irish musicians.

Laoise Kelly will play alongside Tiarnan for this session in Strokestown Park House. Laoise is widely acknowledged as one of Ireland's most acclaimed traditional harpers. She has pioneered a new style of traditional harping which has seen her represent Ireland at the World Harp Festival in Paraguay as well as touring in Africa, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, America and Canada.

She was a founding member of traditional group ‘The Bumblebees' with whom she recorded two albums and toured extensively. Throughout her solo career she has recorded with many of Ireland's foremost artists including The Chieftains, Sinéad O'Connor, Matt Molloy and Mary Black. Her ground-breaking solo album ‘Just Harp' established her as "the most important harper currently playing" (Acousticmusic.com).

This will undoubtedly be a concert not to be missed. More information and booking at Roscommon arts Centre on 090 6625824

Bluegrass camp and workshop teaches girls traditional music

Bluegrass camp and workshop teaches girls traditional music - WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville |: "Fostering a love of music that can help keep the bluegrass tradition alive. That's the goal of an upcoming camp and workshop for girls.

The Girls Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council has teamed up with the Roanoke Valley Fiddle and Banjo Club to introduce area girls to Bluegrass and traditional music.

The camp is June 25-27 at the Girl Scout camp on Yellow Mountain Road. The cost is $49 and that includes meals. It's for all girls ages 8 to 17, and you do not have to be a girl scout."

Three fiddlers celebrate old tunes

"Sisters Gretchen and Rebecca Koehler, and Don Woodcock are out with a new album of old time fiddle tunes. They all grew up in musical families surrounded by the rich traditions of North American fiddle music. Their new cd is called, The Fiddlers Three, and we'll listen again to their conversation with Barb Heller, host of String Fever."

NCPR News Archive - Three fiddlers celebrate old tunes:

Musicians gather from all over U.S., Canada for Montana Fiddle Camp

"Each June for the past 10 years, an entire world of music has descended upon Monarch, the quaint town of 280 people about 45 miles southeast of Great Falls.

The Montana Fiddle Camp is a two-week music workshop offering camping, meals, concerts and instruction for less than $400. Each night the instructors give a concert to those in attendance, as well.

Fred Buckley, the fiddle camp director since it began, said the camaraderie that forms at each camp is one of its biggest selling points."

Musicians gather from all over U.S., Canada for Montana Fiddle Camp | greatfallstribune.com | Great Falls Tribune:

Irish Arts Weekend Brings Concerts, Workshops

Image by tom frog via Flickr

"For Irish fiddler Randal Bays, his first brush with Irish folk music was a bit like divine inspiration.

“It just hit me,” Bays says. “I was so excited by it that I was awake all night talking to someone about it. It didn’t make a lot of sense because I’m not Irish, but I’ve been lucky to have come in to contact with the greatest musicians.”

It was the 1970s in Portland, Ore., and a few friends had asked Bays to attend a concert with them. The Indiana-born guitarist was instantly hooked by the beauty and excitement of Irish folk music. Not long afterwards, he found a fiddle and began teaching himself how to play traditional Irish music —�a challenge that is not as simple as learning proper technique and buying sheet music. Irish folk music is an oral tradition —�the tunes are passed from musician to musician during playing sessions."

Free Times: Arts Feature - Irish Arts Weekend Brings Concerts, Workshops: