ceolas - music school - South Uist

Subject: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: JulieF
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 09:33 AM

Has anyone been to this in previous years ?

I am very tempted to go and try and learn some mouth music and other stuff.

Anyone know anything about cheap local accomodation.

Thanks

J

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 28 Feb 08 - 12:27 PM

I went to this for 2 years running, about 5 years ago. It was fantastic, very intense, and if you've never spoken or sung gaelic before, a very steep learning curve. Gaelic is not easy to learn, pronounce, etc, but I found it worthwhile persevering, and the 2nd year was a lot easier. Some of the songs are amazing, and the best thing is that you do get to hear them sung by local people (rather than on slickly produced celtic cds) who've learnt them through them being passed on. There are some excellent teachers, Mary Smith in particular. You do have to take a 2nd subject, such as dancing or an instrument. They also provide lessons in gaelic.

There is a lot of contact with local people, and music events organised almost every evening in the community.

As for accommodation, anything I have buried away somewhere will be way out of date. I believe the organisers hold lists of BnBs, caravans, etc, or you can always camp wild. There's also a hotel or two.

I would recommend that you take/hire a car, although people do manage without, for getting between accommodation and school venue and evening venues.

I was thinking of going this year, but I think it clashes with another course I'm set on doing.

Let me know if you want to know anything else, I'll do my best to answer it!

Sue

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: JulieF
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 08:01 AM

Hi Sue

Thanks for that.   I've sung a wee bit in Irish but I have to work very hard at it as I've got no gift for languages.   I think I can just about follow where someone was in a song by looking at the words - if it wasn't too fast but wI wouldn't know what it meant.

I think bed and breakfast might be the best option as I'm not sure I'm up to a week's camping when I have to concentrate hard.   I'm afraid the car hire is out as I don't drive at all.

I'm very tempted as it would be quite an experience.

Thanks
julie

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: maeve
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 08:09 AM

It does sound tempting. I hope you can go, Julie. I'll add it to my list of Things-I-Want-to-Do.

maeve

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 29 Feb 08 - 09:27 PM

Just refreshing this - anyone else been to Ceolas?

Sue

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: maeve
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 06:27 AM

Ceolas ClickyWorth a Look

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 01 Mar 08 - 10:18 AM

I see Mary Smith isn't teaching this year - but Cathy Ann MacPhee and Mairi MacInnes are great singers and teachers too.

Subject: RE: ceolas - music school - South Uist
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 02 Mar 08 - 01:58 PM

Just refreshing this - anyone else been to Ceolas?

Sue