Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada

Subject: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 02:31 PM

It's been a while since we've written anything about our amazing Celtic College / Festival in Goderich, Ontario, Canada. This year it was held August 3 to 10.

My husband is the crafty type - he took stone carving and marquetry. While always very tempted to do an arts course, I once again went with a full music schedule:

DADGAD guitar with Brian Miller
Mouth Music (in Scottish Gaelic) with Mary Jane Lamond
Piano Accompaniment with Emilyn Stam (who played with the late Oliver Schroer during her teen years)
and
Vocal Harmony and Arranging Class with Norah Rendell

I'm always astounded by the quality, quantity and variety of teachers at the Celtic College and Festival. This year was certainly no exception!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: maeve
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:17 PM

I'd love to attend some year, black walnut. It sounds wonderful, both for the craft and music courses.

maeve

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 03:51 PM

Do it! I think you'd love it! Another highlight of the week for me are the evening weeknight concerts - there are 4 performer's acts each evening, so one gets to hear most if not all of the music teachers in a lovely intimate setting - The Livery Theatre - right near the square at the centre of town.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: gnu
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 04:27 PM

Sounds wonderful.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: maeve
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:05 PM

I'm sure I'd love every minute of it. What a line-up you had this year; last year as well! Only one problem...paying for it and getting there. Thanks for your encouragement.

maeve

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 05:13 PM

Some people come from long distances....one student in my guitar class had come from England, just for the Celtic College! He'd heard from a friend such good things about the place. We get quite a few people up from the U.S.A., too.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 06:04 PM

Where else could you hear a pickup band with Steafan Hannigan, Brian McNeill, and Tony McManus, but at the Goderich Celtic Roots Festival? That the Celtic College also has similar talent is amazing.

For a few years I attended the college to take courses led by Phil Cooper (guitar), Simon Mayor (mandolin), and Ernie King (luthier). Other years I assisted Ernie King or Josh House in the repair course. Later years I've had to miss the college due to my own music business, but still keep up with what's going on if I can.

I've never missed the festival however, having performed every year as a supporting musician, the mercenary musician for hire roll that is so enjoyable.

But, education is what matters, and the college does it well.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 11:31 PM

As instructors Margaret and I had a great time (Love, Death and a Catchy Chorus; and Do it yourself Harmony) and good class participants. I don't like thinking of them as students as this is all a collaborative effort. And a chance to eat hamburger and sausage at Mooh's. Just doesn't get better.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: maeve
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 02:01 PM

I've heard only rave reviews of Celtic College and Festival. Perhaps some day I'll get to see for myself.

maeve

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 08:40 PM

Hamburger and sausage, Mooh? How divine! You must send me your recipe.

Apologies - I digress...

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: Mooh
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 07:51 AM

bw...Me? No, that would be my wonderful bride. My role in food preparation around here mostly consists of starting the bbq and testing the results.

While we're on the subject, did the college have a celtic cooking course this year? I know they did years ago.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 25 Aug 09 - 11:04 AM

I never heard of that course or I would have been there....sounds like fun!

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: Charmion
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 10:05 AM

No cooking this year, or last year for that matter, but we heard promises that perhaps it will return next year, when the college moves back into the extensively renovated Goderich District High School. The Celtic cooks held sway in the high school cafeteria, which was the scene of the lucullan Thursday feast, featuring the largest trifle in the English-speaking world.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: Mooh
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 11:03 AM

Charmion...The food was excellent wasn't it. I know, I know, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach and all that, but what a difference good food makes to one's disposition!

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Celtic College 2009 Goderich Canada
From: black walnut
Date: 26 Aug 09 - 03:37 PM

Goderich Collegiate should be stupendous, considering how long this renovation has been going on! :-)

I'll take the class only if the kitchen is air-conditioned...

~d