Traditional Irish music is alive and well in Galway’s Salthill Knocknacarra Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch. So much so that the branch, in addition to its music classes, is taking a proactive approach to the development of musicianship in its younger members.
In an innovative development, the branch is introducing a Trad for Teens session, which will take place in Áras na nGael, Dominick Street. The idea behind the session is to facilitate and encourage young musicians to improve their skills by playing in a supervised, tutor-led, informal session specifically for Galway city teenagers, something that does not currently exist.
The session will take place once a month, on Friday evenings, with the first half hour for younger age groups, followed by a session for older teenagers.
CCE Salthill Knocknacarra has been in existence since 2007, and, according to branch chairman Maurice McCafferty, demand for its classes is such that the branch recently purchased a number of new instruments, which it will loan to members who want to try out an instrument prior to purchasing their own. In response to demand, the branch has also added classes in concertina, guitar, and bodhrán to its existing classes in fiddle, box accordion, flute, banjo, mandolin, and tin whistle. Classes take place on Wednesday evenings in Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Cappagh Road, Galway.
Further information on classes and the Trad for Teens session is available on the branch’s Facebook page, facebook.com/comhaltas.salthillknocknacarra.
