Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)

Subject: Don't miss this!
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 01:50 PM

Sorry, folks. Couldn't resist this.

To all branches of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann worldwide

Calling all bodhran players and bodhran lovers to the World Bodhran Championships in Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland on 3 - 5 June 2006.

Are you a lover of Irish traditional music? Would you like the opportunity to compete for the title of World Bodhran Champion? Do you long for a weekend of Irish traditional music and culture in a beautiful County Kerry town in Ireland's scenic South West?

The World Bodhran Championships will be the first of its kind ever to take place anywhere in the world. On foot of a series of annual traditional Irish music festivals in Milltown, Co Kerry in recent years, the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is stepping up a gear to organise and host an international event, which promises to be a wonderful musical and cultural experience. The organisers have a strong reputation for successful management and organisation of festivals and high-profile events.

The event is built around the bodhran, which is central to any traditional Irish music session. As well as competitions to find the world champion bodhran player, there will be workshops on bodhran playing, making and the history of this wonderful instrument.

Famous bodhran players and enthusiasts from around the world will be on hand to adjudicate at the competitions, to perform live and to share their skills and love of the bodhran with everyone.

We are getting in touch with branches of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann all over the world. We are looking for bodhran players who would like to play and compete at the World Bodhran Championship in June. And we are also inviting Comhaltas members and Irish music lovers to come to what promises to be a unique and spectacular experience.

If you and your branch members are interested in finding out more, please email [e-mail] and our new website will be up soon. You can also write to Dan Cronin, World Bodhran Championships, Milltown, County Kerry, Ireland or phone the event office at 00353 (0)87 6850542.

If you are interested in competing, please send an email to this address with your details and we can send you an application form.

Tell your friends, familiy, branch members and everyone with even a passing interest in the bodhran and Irish music. Hope you can make it to the inaugural World Bodhran Championships in the heart of the Kingdom of Kerry in Ireland in June!

Owen O'Shea
Secretary
World Bodhran Championships 2006

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:40 PM

Not sorry enough! You should have resisted!

LOL

Regards

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!
From: Charmion
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:44 PM

I'm sure they'll all have a rattlin' good time.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!
From: Scotus
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:51 PM

Anyone heard 'There's a Hole in my Bodhran, dear Liza' sung by June Tabor (or should that be 'There's a Hole in my Tabor - - -') on the 'Yelp' CD?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!
From: artbrooks
Date: 21 Jan 06 - 02:54 PM

While I have been known to bang upon a bodhran upon occasion, I'd think that going to the World Bodhran Championships would be a lot like attending the World Hog Calling Trials in Duck n'Cover, Tennessee.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 12:54 AM

You can put me down for the ' throwing ' event and the ' stamping '

eric

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 03:25 AM

"The event is built around the bodhran, which is central to any traditional Irish music session. "

It is not (I know you're only quoting)! I've known a few sessions where it is frowned upon.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: treewind
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 04:30 AM

"Central to any traditional Irish music session" ?

I suppose you can interpret the term, and I haven't been to many Irish sessions lately, but according to a piper friend of mine if there's an instrument to take to an Irish music session that will make everybody look to you for a lead, it's not the bodhran - it's the Uilleann pipes.

Oh well, why should I nit-pick? It's only marketing blurb.

Anahata

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 05:56 AM

I suspect a bit of bias there Anahata. I think one normaly looks to a player(s) who you know to be strong to largely take a lead role and don't think so much about the instrument. It could be a piper in one session, a fiddler in another, etc. I can't imagine a "non-melody" instrument ever fulfilling that role.

Back to the competition. I do like the bodhran in good hands but even if every player this event was good, the idea sounds a bit nightmarish to me. I like the instruments accompanying a melody but bodhran solos (or any drum solos for that matter) tend to bore me to tears in a matter of seconds and if they go on a long while start to aggravate me.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 07:02 AM

Personally, I can't wait for the movie. And if anyone makes it, remember it was my idea.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 07:20 AM

How about Clay Bodhran Shooting. You get extra points if you the Bodhran player is still attached to the Bodhran after the 'pull'

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 08:32 AM

Sounds like fun! Checking out flights now!

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 09:09 AM

The Bodhran players of the world all in one location? Where's Al Quaeda when you need 'em?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:18 PM

Yeah, well, we've all had a laugh but do you know what? I bet it's going to be great.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: mandotim
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:41 PM

A whole event devoted to lengthy drum solos? How 70's.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: skarpi
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 02:10 PM

Yes , I would like to come if the timing is and
if I have some money to go with .

All the best Skarpi Iceland.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 02:33 PM

It's too bad about the foolish, snide put-downs from people who have probably never heard the variety of tone and pace that a good player can produce on a bodhran.

Of course, there will always be people who resent anyone who get attention by innovating. Reminds me of something I learned in an education class long ago. "The creative child is not popular." Thirty years of observing people shows that it's true, and not just among children.

Chris B., good luck to your efforts and thanks for putting in the work.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 05:37 PM

Well, thanks, leeneia, but I just passed the message on. You're right, of course, to say that it's easy to take the piss - mind you, there's got to be a few more decent gags out there.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 03:51 AM

A bodhran player, definition, someone who likes to hang around folk musicians.

eric

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 04:00 AM

Of course the Bodhran is central in sessions.... that way everyone can reach it with their penknives!

Sorry....

But having heard the Ubiquitous Stefan Hannigan play 'when the saints go marching in' on a bodhrain, and seen some of the better players create the most astonishing patterns and sounds, I've a feeling this could be a fantastic event.

LTS

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 04:18 AM

Four Men And A Dog bodhran player Gino Lupari is the best I've ever heard, this man makes a drum kit redundant.

eric

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Fullerton
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 04:21 AM

Good bodhran players can be great but so many lack a sense of balance in the music they play. They play too loud.

Snag with the instrument is that too many people think it is a short cut to a seat in a session.

Two or more dodgy bodhran players in a session is awful.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: mandotim
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 06:12 AM

To balance my previous post; anyone who has heard Mark, one half of the duo Emma and the Professor play would be in no doubt that the bodhran, played properly is a serious musical instrument. He makes that thing talk.
Tim from Bit on the Side

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 01:16 PM

Fullerton: true. But just because some players are insensitive doesn't mean that people trying to showcase good playing, such as Chris B., should have a load of nastiness dumped upon them.

If I wanted to, I could argue that no one should hold a fiddle competition, because fiddlers are often the dominant (or perhaps I should say "domineering") players in a session.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 05:19 PM

I've always fancied having a go at a bodhran, but my wife has threatened trouble if I buy one. Perhaps this is the life changing experience that could convert her from negativity on this issue.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 11:58 AM

Hey its a good job there are no tedious,middle class,beardy,finger in ear,boring ,droning,scholarly folkies any where on the planet aint it?
Its also good that all the lovers of traditional music out there (especialy the irish type of music). Would realise that the frame drum in question is probably the first and most traditional of all the instruments used to play this variety of music.
Of course you never get bored of hearing guitarists tuning up (oh a new tuning,no its dadgad again!)
or violininsts who never quite manage to get in tune at all.
Or those bloody awful squeeze boxes and harmionicas and raucus banjo's.
Or those brilliant sessions in English rural pubs were the only instrument played at anything above the level of dirge is Bodrhan.
Its a shame that most of the spouters about traditional music of any kind are usualy not the ones capable of inventing or progressing the form themselves but in general people who sit,snigger and critisize.
Bodrhan is no more of a pain in a session than any other instrument that is capable of being played badly or inapropriatly.
Now is there any one who needs a hand doing up the toggles on their duffle coats before they venture out into the cold?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 01:24 PM

Hey its a good job there are no tedious,middle class,beardy,finger in ear,boring ,droning,scholarly folkies any where on the planet aint it?
Its also good that all the lovers of traditional music out there (especialy the irish type of music). Would realise that the frame drum in question is probably the first and most traditional of all the instruments used to play this variety of music.
Of course you never get bored of hearing guitarists tuning up (oh a new tuning,no its dadgad again!)
or violininsts who never quite manage to get in tune at all.
Or those bloody awful squeeze boxes and harmionicas and raucus banjo's.
Or those brilliant sessions in English rural pubs were the only instrument played at anything above the level of dirge is Bodrhan.
Its a shame that most of the spouters about traditional music of any kind are usualy not the ones capable of inventing or progressing the form themselves but in general people who sit,snigger and critisize.
Bodrhan is no more of a pain in a session than any other instrument that is capable of being played badly or inapropriatly.
Now is there any one who needs a hand doing up the toggles on their duffle coats before they venture out into the cold?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Tim theTwangler
Date: 27 Jan 06 - 01:25 PM

Just in case you couldnt believe it the first time!!

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Emma Heath
Date: 08 Feb 06 - 01:01 PM

Please can I have an application form/any details about the bodhran champs sent to my partner at the following address...
Polly's Cottage
Clungunford House
Clungunford
Craven Arms
Shropshire
SY7 0PN

Many thanks from Emma

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: erinmaidin
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 04:18 AM

on a more positive note (no pun intended) suggested reading, I loved it....you may enjoy it too! "The Bodhran Maker" by John B. Keane.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 06:39 AM

Emma,

perhaps you should contact OWen O'Shea directly at [e-mail] .

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships
From: greg stephens
Date: 09 Feb 06 - 07:01 AM

If, has been pointed out, the bodhran takes such a central role in the history Irish traditional music, could someone direct us to a list of photgraphic or phonographic records of it in use, pre-1950 say? I imagine there must be loads of material if the instrument has been so important.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 08:21 AM

Yes, Eric, Gino Lupari is amazing. "Wrap it Up" is hilarious. Those who have never heard Lupari, Stefan Hannigan, Mance Grady, Colm Murphy, and so on, haven't really heard the Bodhran.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 08:31 AM

Link is now .com

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 02:04 PM

Skarpi

Do you expect the timing to be right at a bodhran competition, :-)

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: GUEST,Declan
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 02:34 PM

I meant to sign that last message.

Some of my best friends are bodhran players. Most of them love the jokes.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Kaleea
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 05:01 PM

Often when performing in bands, the band"leader" will call out to members to take the lead on melody for the next verse. It is not unusual for them to call out "Bodhran" when I am tipping. While it gets a chuckle from folks, they then beging to realize that I can, indeed, vary the tone of my drum in a quite melodic way.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 05:36 PM

Would love to be able to see and hear this. As for the usual naysayers that have made their usual and unoriginal comments, well that is to be expected.

There are good bodhran players as well as bad and trotting out the old line there good and bad players of other instruments.

Now I will get of me soapbox made from a stack of usefully recyled bodhrans.....

BTW is there a similar championships for bones players...........

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Barry Finn
Date: 07 Mar 06 - 06:57 PM

For bones festivals, info & news see this page http://www.rhythmbones.com/bonefest4.html there's also the annual Fleadh this year to be held in Town Square, Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland May 1, 2006, there is a bones championship. I believe the 03 & 04 winner was Steve Browm of Mass. "the lad that beat the local" (also a very good bodhran player & an excelent bones maker). I don't know if he attended in 05.

I'm pleased that the name Mance Grady was mentioned above. He's not as well known (he's not very good at PR, it's his playing that speaks for him) as some of the others mentioned but he is among the best & probably has been the premier player & maker of the bodhran in the states for some time.

Barry

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: breezy
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 10:52 AM

Chris Flegg appears at the Wandering Windward Folk Song Club at the Comfort Hotel, Holywell Hill, Sunday 12th March

plus

Nuada       inc hurdy-gurdy


and Bodran

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 05:46 AM

PRESS RELEASE

WORLD BODHRÁN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Milltown, Co. Kerry 2 – 5 June 2006

LIAM O’MAONLAI, MEL MERCIER, RONAN O’SNODAIGH & MICHEÁL O’SÚILLEABHÁIN ALL CONFIRMED FOR BODHRÁN FESTIVAL

The first ever World Bodhrán Championships will take place in Milltown, County Kerry from 2nd to 5th June 2006. A festival aiming to promote the role of the bodhrán in traditional Irish music, the event will attract thousands of bodhrán players and music lovers from all over the world.

The organisers are pleased to announce among the acts already confirmed for the event are Liam O’Maonlaí, Ronán O’Snódaigh of Kila, Mel Mercier and Micheál O’Súilleabháin. As well as competitions to find the World Bodhrán Champion, there will be workshops, lectures, street theatre and music sessions throughout the weekend.

The two highlights of the event will be a live concert in the local church involving Liam O’Maonlai of Hothouse Flowers fame and Ronán O’Snódaigh of Hothouse Flowers on Sunday, 4th June with an indoor concert in the marquee with Mel Mercier and Professor Micheál O’Súilleabháin from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick on Saturday 3rd June. Tickets for both concerts will go on sale next month from the World Bodhrán Championship Office in Milltown.

There is very significant interest in the event from around the globe, particularly from the US, and a number of internationally renowned bodhrán players like Gino Lupari and Tommy Hayes will be on hand to keep the music flowing. Grant aid has been secured from Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council Arts Department for the event with substantial local sponsorship from The Kerryman, Kerry Phone Centres, Variety Sounds, Galvin’s Developments, Pavilion Chinese Restaurant and Londis Top Shop.

Entries are now being sought also for the competitions for the World Bodhrán Championships. If you would like to compete send an email to [e-mail] or contact the numbers below.

More information about entries for the competitions and other aspects of the event can be obtained from Owen O’Shea at 00353 (0)87 7870070 or Dan Cronin at 00353 (0)87 6850542.

Media queries, please contact Owen O’Shea at 00353 (0)87 7870070

Not so funny now, eh?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 07:04 AM

Barry... I had to throw in a name from this side of the pond.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 02:22 PM

Say... anyone got any others? From NA? I could name a bunch right here in Atlantic Canada. Amazing Hran.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 03:35 PM

Okay... one.... Séan McCann, with Great Big Sea... in The House of Blues in Cleveland, Ohio tonight. Great Hran, great tunes.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 03:43 PM

Lucy! She can Hran me ragged any day!!!

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: gnu
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 03:48 PM

Okay... I'll stop. Suffice it to say, there are some great players all over. For those who have never heard a good Hran, keep yer ears and minds open. Or, I'l get me bones out as well.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: GUEST,Owen O'Shea, Secretary of World Bodhran Cham
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 09:34 AM

Hi all,

Thanks for all the comments. You will all be glad (or sad!) to know that the event was an enormous success. The standard and quality of playing, even from juniors, was outstanding and really impressed the judges Tommy Hayes and Mel Mercier. We had been in touch with Mance Grady who was unable to make it. And Gino Lupari had to cry off at the last minute due to a bereavement.

Neill Lyons from Dublin came first and his brother Conor came second. Both gave outstanding performances. The junior competition was won by Colm Phelan from Co. Laois.

I would invite all the naysayers to join us next year in Milltown and have a look before coming to all of your pre-conceived notions and prejudices about the bodhran and the event. Not a pen-knife was produced at any stage over the weekend.

Owen O'Shea
Secretary, World Bodhran Championships
[e-mail]
www.worldbodhranchampionships.com

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 11:27 AM

Sorry not to know about this til it was over. Glad to see it seems to be going annual. Hubby plays them and builds them. Wish I could get him there next year.
It's really true--not a "Kerryman" joke. Whaddiya know.    Tw

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: GUEST,paddymac, w/o his cookie
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 04:50 PM

Here's a song for the occasion.


Thumpin' O' The Bodhran
(posted anonymously on Mudcat "Campsite At Drumcree IV"
(Melody: "Rising of the Moon")

Oh then tell me Sean O'Farrell, tell me why you hurry so
Hush mo buachall, hush and listen and his cheeks were all aglow
I bear orders from Lupari, get you ready quick and soon
Cos we'll hit our drums a dunder by the risin' of the moon
By the risin' of the moon, by the risin' of the moon
We'll hit our drums a dunder by the risin' of the moon

Oh then tell me, Sean O'Farrell where the drum-in is to be
In that spot not far from Doolin quite well known to you and me
There'll be Christy, aye and Cathy, there'll be Mal in thick disguise
We'll batter our oul goatskins underneath thon Western skies
Underneath thon western skies, underneath thon western skies
We'll batter our oul goatskins underneath thon Western skies

In many's a pub in Doolin, they drunk pints of stout that night
Then at the hour for closing, beneath the silvery light
They battered out The Beggarman, Big Maggie, Siúl A Rún
A thousand baters thumpin' to the risin' of the moon
The risin' of the moon, the risin' of the moon
A thousand baters thumpin' to the risin' of the moon

I've got another one stashed away somewhere called "When I Grow Up I want To Be A Bohdran." I fist heard it done by Seamus Moore at Shea's Merchant in Dublin one fine evening a few years back.

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2006)
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 07:09 PM

Aw Naw, I missed it! - but got it bookmarked for next year! By the way, I think the other bodhran song, referred to above, is in the DT already as I got it a couple of years or so ago. If you don't mind making a joke against youreslves, how about "Bodhrans and banjos" by Ian McCalman of the McCalmans?

Subject: RE: Don't miss this!(World Bodhran Championships 2
From: open mike
Date: 19 Jun 06 - 12:01 AM

When I Grow Up I want To Be A Bodhran is from the point of view of a goat