Dagger Gordon weekend workshop by Loch Ness

[Dagger Gordon]

If anyone is interested, I'm teaching mandolin at the Adult Feis in Fort Augustus, Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness on the weekend 13-16th Feb 2009 - aka Feis Gleann Albain.


Great selection of other tutors, including Angus Grant, Duncan Chisholm, Charlie MacKerron and Jenna Reid (!!!!) on fiddle, Nuala Kennedy on whistle etc. Great sessions and a friendly atmosphere.

Download applications from

http://www.feisgleannalbainn.co.uk/adult_feis.html

[Dagger Gordon]

Hmmm,

That link doesn't seem to work.

Google Fort Augustus Feis and you should find it. Go to 'Adult Feis' once you get there.

There's some good pics in the gallery, including myself in 2008.

[Joel Spaulding]

Try This one.
I think there was an "n" missing in the original link.

Looks like an excellent opportunity for anyone able to attend.

[Dagger Gordon]

Thanks Joel.

I think I've fixed it now.

cheers.

[Mike Adams]

I participated in Feis Gleann Albainn last year & was treated to 2 days of expert tuition & good craic by Dagger. If you can make it it's exceptionally good value!

See you there this weekend Dagger. I'm looking forward to it.

[Dagger Gordon]

Hi Mike,

Good to hear from you. Looking forward to the weekend tremendously!

Dagger

[Crieftan]

Hi Dagger and Mike -
What a great weekend. I'll be back next year for sure. I learned so much in such a short space of time. Mike, you sure play pretty - The Gael was just great fun to play!
Dagger - I'll PM you the words to Whiskey before breakfast. Brilliant - won't be able to play the tune again without grinning like a jackass!

[Dagger Gordon]

Hi Kenny,

It was great to meet you. I got your PM.

I first heard that song by a guy called Mike Cross. There a Youtube of him doing it.
Google Mike Cross Whisky 'Fore Breakfast.

I have to say I haven't had any whisky this week - either before breakfast or any other time.
The craic was tremendous in Ft Augustus, and as you say Mike (and yourself) were playing very well. Glad you got so much out of it.

Hope I see you and Mike before next year.

Slainte,

Dagger

[Dagger Gordon]

There's a few Youtubes up from the weekend, including some clips from the tutors concert.

There's one of me accompanying Jenna Reid on my Sobell octave.

Dagger


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z55Bg...eature=related

[Dagger Gordon]

Not long till this year's Feis at Fort Augustus- 12th - 15th Feb 2010.

A great weekend with lots of good sessions. Hope to maybe see some of you there.

http://www.feisgleannalbainn.co.uk/adult_feis.html

[Fliss]

I wish I could go, but I'm going on the Folkus spring music-making weekend, which is only the weekend before, so I can't go on another one so soon afterwards. If it's an annual event, perhaps I can remember to put it in my diary and plan for it for next year!

The cost sounds very low - do people sort out their own accommodation?

Regards
Fliss

[Dagger Gordon]

Yes, it's an annual event. That weekend is a long weekend break for Scottish schools.

People do sort out their own accommodation as far as I know. I should think most hotels have some sort of deal for the weekend. There's also a hostel.
They get the tutors to do sessions in various venues, but the main craic is the Caledonian Hotel where the tutors stay. There is also a tutors concert in the school, which is where we teach our classes.

[Dagger Gordon]

Advance notice on this year's great weekend in Fort Augustus.

It will take place from Fri 11th to Mon 14th Feb 2011. Very good last Feb, and it was great to meet people from as far afield as Somerset and Portland, Oregon (via London).

I understand that, in common with many things nowadays, funding is becoming a problem and the organisers tell me that they might struggle to sustain the event beyond this coming year, so it is important that we continue to get a good uptake for this February.

Very good weekend. Lots of good music with terrific tutors on various instruments.

Here's some pics from this year.

http://www.feisgleannalbainn.co.uk/f...ls.php?album=5

[Paul Cowham]

This looks like great fun..

I was thinking of trying to get to the mandolin symposium in 2011 but have decided that it would cost too much, but this would be a great alternative. (weather may not be quite so nice though!)

Is it possible to get there by public transport?

Catriona McKay is doing the Clarsach who I got to know when she was studying in Manchester many moons ago...

[Dagger Gordon]

It's not far from Inverness, where you can fly,train or bus to.

Regular buses to Fort Augustus from Inverness, but I could probably pick you up on my way on Friday evening if it's the right time.

Otherwise a message on Facebook would probably work.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Feis-G...n/177709865895

And you're right - it is good fun.

Dagger

[Paul Cowham]

Thanks for the info Dagger, all being well will see you there

Will be good to have something to look forward to in the depths of winter too..

[JeffD]

I should go. I really should.
February can be a long slow month. This would perk it up.

Got to find out else musical is going on just before and just after, perhaps extend my stay. I.e. as long as I am there anyway where else can I be playing.

[Dagger Gordon]

Celtic Connections Festival is from 13-30 January 2011 in Glasgow. Massive festival, but maybe a bit too soon for you.

Actually, the weather in February can often be quite a bit better than you might think, and varies greatly from place to place - particularly from coast to coast.

http://calendar.visitscotland.com/fe...h-weather.aspx

And note February's rain at the bottom of this page

http://www.lastminutecottageholiday....nscotland.html

[Dagger Gordon]

A reminder that I'll be doing this again in Fort Augustus, by Loch Ness, Scotland from 11th -14th Feb. Always good fun, and the chance of learning in a small class.

Click on 'Gallery' in the following link for photos of last year.

http://www.feisgleannalbainn.co.uk/adult_feis.html

Dagger

[Niall Anderson]

Hi Dagger. I've just sent off my deposit for the weekend, and am planning to come to your class both a.m and p.m. if that's ok.

I have been to Feis Rois a couple of times, but not this one, but it's a great format and should be a great weekend. See you then.

Niall

[Dagger Gordon]

'am planning to come to your class both a.m and p.m. if that's ok. '

Certainly is. I'm looking forward to seeing you.

Cheers,

Dagger

[Shelagh Moore]

I haven't made this previously and would love to come if I can arrange work and other commitments around the weekend.

[Dagger Gordon]

Richard,

Friday night is just a session as everybody arrives, so get there whenever you can. I'm sure you could arrange to arrive on Saturday morning if it's easier. I can't remember when classes start in the morning but I could check.

Similarly, not everyone is able to stay for Monday. The classes are only on Monday morning - people go home after lunch, although Sunday night is a pretty good night. There is a tutors concert, followed by a long night of music back at the Caledonian Hotel.

There are usually some people up from Perthshire. If it's helpful perhaps you could get a lift or something.

Judging from your list of instruments, you take your playing fairly seriously!

[Niall Anderson]

Teaching starts at 10am on Saturday and Sunday, 10.30am on Monday - at the moment I'm planning to drive up from Edinburgh early on Saturday morning, as I have commitments in Edinburgh on the Friday.

[Paul Cowham]

I'm going too, nice to have something to look forward too at this time of year..