The web site for the O'Neill-Malcom Branch of
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann (CCE)

Download the CCE M.A.D 2009 Registration Form:

Are you M.A.D for Trad? Are you a violinist, guitarist or flautist wanting to explore and learn more traditional Irish music? Are you an accomplished step dancer who wants a break from competition and are ready for the fun of sean-nos or set dancing?

The O’Neill-Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), the local Washington metro branch of the Irish-based organization charged with promoting Irish culture, and Mitch Fanning (Director) are pleased to invite you to participate in CCE Musical Arts & Dance Week 2009. Formerly known as “CCE FiddleWeek,” CCE MAD(for trad) Week 2009 will build on the three-year record of success for area fiddlers by adding class instruction in traditional Irish guitar (DADGAD tuning, taught by Josh Dukes), flute (Laura Byrne), sean-nos & set dancing (Shannon Dunne). CCE MAD (for trad) has assembled an exceptional faculty in all areas of study.

Fiddle Classes CCE MAD(for trad) fiddle classes are designed to offer violinists and fiddle players of all ages and levels of ability a unique and fun-filled opportunity to improve their playing through the study of traditional Irish music. Students will be taught traditionally – in group classes, arranged according to ability and level of experience with traditional Irish music. Each class will convene twice daily for ninety minutes. Each group will have an opportunity to perform at a closing concert and ceili dance. In addition, each individual will also have a private half-hour lesson with one of our teaching staff during the week. The teachers for the week are all accomplished performers of traditional Irish music as well as excellent instructors. In addition to our teaching staff of local talent, through the aegis of Comhaltas we’re pleased to feature the fiddling and class teaching of Brendan Mulvihill, Tony DeMarco, Robert Spates, & Donna Long for the entire week. Please see the bios on each! Each class will learn a variety of traditional tunes – hornpipes, jigs, reels, mazurkas, barndances, airs, and highlands among others. The tunes in each class are not only fun to play, but great ear training exercises and playing them will give students the opportunity to learn or improve left and right-hand ornamentation, technique, and memory skills. In addition to class and private instruction, students will have an opportunity to play in traditional Irish sessions and hear faculty performances throughout the week. Students may also participate in lunchtime elective classes in bodhran (Irish drumming), basic Irish set dancing, Celtic crafts, and pennywhistle which will be offered during the week.

Do You Qualify to Participate?

Fiddle Classes
Fiddle classes are designed to accommodate beginning, intermediate and advanced fiddlers and violinists of all ages and levels of experience. The beginning fiddle class for CCE MAD(for trad) Week 2009 is best suited for the student who has studied the violin or fiddle for 8 months to a year, not a complete beginner. If you have substantially completed Book I of the Suzuki method or can play well in the keys of A, D and G, have a good ear, sense of rhythm and tempo, then you are well-prepared for a great week! The intermediate class is designed for violinists or fiddlers with two to four years experience. The advanced class, for fiddlers with four or more years experience.

Traditional Irish Flute Class
CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009 Irish flute classes are designed for flute students who have studied the instrument for two to three years. Students should bring wooden flutes, although silver flutes are acceptable. Classes will be taught traditionally – by ear. Recordings and transcriptions of all tunes will be provided by staff to help facilitate learning. If you have questions or to arrange an audition, please contact Laura Byrne by phone (410-426-0898) or by email:

DADGAD Guitar Class
CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009 guitar classes are designed for guitarists who are accomplished players in standard or other tunings. DADGAD is a popular alternative tuning among traditional Irish guitarists. It’s not too difficult to pick up, especially if the student is accomplished with standard tuning. Classes will be taught traditionally – by ear. All students will be able to re-inforce what they learn in class by participating in morning and lunch hour sessions. If you have questions, or if you would like to arrange for an audition, please contact Joshua Dukes by email:

Sean-nos & Set Dancing Class
CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009 sean-nos and set dancing classes are designed for those whose instrument is their body/feet!  Sean-nos (Old Style) Irish dancing is a battering style stepdance, danced close to the floor with a loose upper body and playful musicality.    Dancers learn to dance the tune, and are as much a part of the music as any percussionist.    Irish Set Dancing combines multi-person figures and footwork to create a fun and powerful social dance.  Both of these true folk forms have been kept alive at ceilis, in kitchens, and pubs.  No experience or special shoes necessary.   For more information, please contact Shannon Dunne by email.

The O'Neill-Malcom Branch of CCE, in order to more effectively promote set and Sean-Nos dance among the next generation in our community, is subsidizing dance classes at CCE MAD Week.  Set dance and Sean-Nos classes are FREE to all registrants that are eighteen (18) years of age or under.

If you wish to participate in dance classes at CCE MAD Week 2009, simply download and complete our standard registration form. Indicate your age where provided and check the box for dance classes. Send your registration form to:

Mitch Fanning
Director, CCE MAD Week 2009
CCE MAD Week 2009
9824 Rosensteel Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Or email to jmitchellf@yahoo.com

Be sure to include your email address. You will receive email confirmation and written
instructions prior to the event.

Dates & Times

Daily Schedule

A public faculty concert will take place Wednesday evening, July 8th, at McGinty’s Public House, 911 Ellsworth Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland. Faculty concerts and the final ceili and concert on Friday evening at the Waldorf School Auditorium are open to family members. There will be a nominal admission fee for the Friday evening ceili for guests and the general public.

Location

Classes and final concert and ceili will take place at the Washington Waldorf School, 4800 Sangamore Road, Bethesda, MD 20815.
(Sangamore Road is between Massachusetts Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard, near Glen Echo).

The school is the home of The Bog Band, a group of 8th grade traditional Irish fiddlers who helped inspire CCE FiddleWeek and now CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009.

Are you from out of town? Please let us know if you’re interested in special rates at a nearby hotel. Depending on the number of out of town registrants, transportation to and from the hotel can be arranged.

Cost Information

Early registration tuition for CCE MAD(for Trad) Week is $350 up to April 30th. Registrations postmarked or delivered after April 30th will cost $395.

A single half-hour private lesson is included in the tuition for all instrumentalists.

There is one free lunch (pizza on Wednesday) for all registrants. All other days will be “brown bag” or BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch).

Financial Assistance

The O’Neil-Malcolm Branch of CCE is delighted to announce that the Fitzpatrick Family, represented by Linda Fitzpatrick and brother-in-law Shaun Fitzpatrick, has generously donated funds to support a scholarship grant for CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009. The scholarship is set up in the name and memory of Thomas M. Fitzpatrick II.

The award is restricted to students under the age of eighteen (18) who demonstrate financial need and would be unable to attend CCE MAD(for Trad) Week 2009 without financial assistance.

For application requirements, please check the appropriate box on the registration form and information will be sent to you.

Download the CCE M.A.D. (for Trad) 2009 Registration Form:

Download Bios and info about our guest artists:

Return the Registration form and appropriate payment to:

Mitch Fanning/9824 Rosensteel Avenue/Silver Spring MD 20910
http://www.ccepotomac.org

Calendar / Officers and Board Members / Dance Schedule / CCE Music Session / Irish Language / Comhaltas Irish Dand Festival / Irish Folk Festival /

Set & Ceili Dance Clubs & Classes / Local Bands / Teachers, & Sessions / Links / Home / Membership

updated: 6/21/09

For questions relating to this website, please contact the Máistir Líonra (Webmaster)