O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat

[zoukboy]

Just wanted to let you all know that I will be teaching mandolin at the O'Flaherty Irish Music Retreat this October 24-26:

http://www.oflahertyretreat.org/

[Eddie Sheehy]

I just registered myself and three of my boys... - 2 tinwhistles, a Concertina, and a tenor Banjo... and whatever zouk or mandolin I can bum...

[Pete Braccio]

I'm looking at this. I've got to get through this next week's conference first before I can think about October. Looking real tempting though.

Pete

[mikeyes]

I'll be there taking the tenor banjo course from Seamus Egan but I will bring my mandolin too. Looking forrwad to seeing you there.
Roger has promised a tenor guitar summit with Herb Taylor instruments while we are there. Herb will be there too if you are interested in buying the finest tenor guitar out there

Mike Keyes

[Eddie Sheehy]

I registered for Seamus Egan's classes too. I played Herb's instruments at a Zoukfest a while back...

[bruce.b]

Hmmm. Kind of far from NJ. I'd love to go, the classes look great and then a Herb Taylor instrument summit too. I'd really like to try that lattice tenor he has.

[Caleb]

I went back in 2007 after I'd owned a mandolin for only a few months. I was interested in Irish music so I signed up. I didn't turn out to be an Irish Trad player, but I had a great time. I've never been around that many quality people in one place before. Everyone was just so kind and respectful that I felt I was in a greater class of people than you meet in the normal circles of life.

The highlight for me was sitting through a lecture/demonstration by the great Irish fiddler Matt Cranitch. A bunch of us sat around a large room while he stood in the center talking about music. I'll never forget his opening line as he held the fiddle over his head: "This is an inanimate object." His point was that it's not about the instrument: it's about what one does with it. I've never forgotten that. Nor have I forgotten the absolutely magical sounds he pulled out of that thing. A true master at his craft.

O'Flaherty's is the real deal. If I thought I could ever learn that kind of music, I'd definitely go back.

[Loretta Callahan]

That's quite an impressive staff! Should be outstanding for folks lucky enough to go.

[BBarton]

Can't go this year, but was there for the last three years. It is a great three days -- top-notch instructors, great evening concerts, and very well organized overall. If you like traditional Irish music, highly recommended.

[Eddie Sheehy]

Looking forward to this, one month to go...

[liestman]

I am really looking forward to it. I will be in the piping class but will sneak into Roger's area at some point for a peak. O'Flaherty is just the best Irish music retreat I have ever been to, and I have been to several others.

[zoukboy]

I am really looking forward to it, too. It doesn't look like a tenor gathering klatsch will be possible with the tight schedule. Maybe one evening in lieu of sessioning? We'll see.