You know you've always wanted to learn to play Irish music. We can help!
Group Classes, Mixed Instrument Ensembles and Lessons for Adults
To register, please fill out form at the bottom of this page.
Whether you are an absolute beginner with no prior music playing experience, a classical music student who is ready to try Irish music, or a seasoned session player who wants to learn different styles of traditional Irish music...there is a place for you with the Irish Music School of Chicago.
We strive to create a community of music lovers who come together to experience the joys of traditional Irish music. You can participate by playing an instrument or learning to sing traditional Irish songs.
PRIVATE AND SEMI-PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE IN-PERSON AND VIRTUALLY IN:
Fiddle • Tin Whistle • Irish Singing • Flute • Piano • Bodhrán
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For group class and private lesson rates, please visit our Policies and Rates page.
Group Classes & Mixed Instrument Ensembles
(3 students minimum for group classes)
LEARN TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC THROUGH LISTENING MASTERY
VIRTUAL Zoom CLASS TAUGHT BY SEÁN CLELAND & GREY LARSEN
wednesdays 6-8pm chicago time
1o class term (nov 20 - feb 12) no class; Nov 27,dec 25, jan 1): $340 ($34/2 hour VIRTUAL online Zoom class)
late new entries are accepted
Learn new tunes, hone your playing and listening skills, and expand your insights into traditional Irish music with master Irish musicians and O’Flaherty Retreat teaching alumni; Seán Cleland (fiddle), Grey Larsen (Irish flute, tin whistle, Anglo concertina), and occasional special guest teachers like Oisín Mac Diarmada, John Whelan, Tim Britton, Niall O’Leary and Daithí Gormley.
This class is for players of traditional Irish music who want to improve their playing, increase their repertoire, become more proficient at learning tunes by ear, and grow in their understanding of the styles and techniques of traditional Irish music. Students should know the basics on their instruments and be able to play a few Irish tunes at a moderate pace.
During this weekly two-hour group Zoom class we’ll study curated classic performances by the greatest masters of Irish traditional music such as Willie Clancy, Mary Bergin, Tony Mac Mahon, Kevin Henry, Pádraig O’Keeffe, Michael Coleman, Matt Molloy, Liz Carroll, Tommy Peoples, Séamus Tansey and more. We’ll become deeply familiar with these masters’ music as we listen to archival recordings of them playing, watch videos of their performances, and hear personal stories from special guests who have known and played with them. Through intensive listening, we will explore what makes Irish traditional music Irish, paying close attention to the details of rhythm, ornamentation, bowing, breathing, and variation. Playing along, we will learn to imitate the styles and techniques of these musicians so we can gain a hands-on understanding of traditional Irish music performance and style, develop new skills, and begin to bring what we’ve learned into our own playing.
A new tune will be introduced most weeks, first through traditional lilting—using our own voices to internalize the melodies—and then transferring them to our instruments. During part of many classes we’ll split into Zoom breakout rooms separating into string/plectrum- or wind/reed-related groups to explore the tunes further and focus on applications for specific instruments. These small-group sessions will allow for closer interaction with Seán & Grey and offer opportunities for more personalized coaching and encouragement.
Students will be given total access to a comprehensive, in-depth class Google Drive folder that contains Zoom video and audio recordings of all the previous Wednesday classes for review, sound files of each class tune (at full speed and slowed down), and detailed and simplified musical transcriptions (with ornaments, variations, bowings, breathing all detailed) of each of the class tunes. This ability to re-watch (or listen) to a previous class can be crucial for understanding and is very useful if a student has to miss or comes late to a class.
We encourage and will help prepare our students to go to Irish music sessions to listen and absorb, and eventually play along. Playing traditional Irish music is one of the few ways that adults in the 21st century can be active participants in a musical community and going to Irish music sessions provide meaningful engagement with our great musical tradition. Our goal is to equip you to begin to join in with confidence and understanding. Therefore we begin each Zoom class with a mini session.
WHISTLE
Carrie Collins - Tin Whistle
ADULT WHISTLE (all Levels)
SUNDAYS 12-1pm
MRS. MURPHY’s (3905 N. LINCOLN - CHgo)
nov 24 - feb 16 (no classes dec 1, 29, jan 5) (10 WEEKS): $250
teacher: Carrie Collins
This ongoing whistle class is designed for all levels of beginning whistle players. Students are encouraged to stay for the live music session in the pub downstairs from 1-3pm and will be helped to participate as they are able. Experienced player? Contact info@irishmusicschool.org for options.
MIXED ENSEMBLE CLASS (ongoing fiddle, flute/whistle class)
MONDAYS 7:00-8:30pm
irish american heritage center (4626 n. knox - CHgo)
10 WEEKS (nov 25 - FEB 10 - no classes dec 23, 30): $250
TEACHER: SEáN CLELAND
This ongoing fiddle, flute/whistle class is taught by Seán Cleland and is designed for intermediate fiddle/whistle players with some experience learning by ear and with playing Irish dance music. We’ll learn practical Irish session tunes primarily by ear and we’ll do some lilting! We’ll learn from the inside out; delving into studying style, paying close attention to the details of time feel, rhythm, ornamentation, bowing, breathing, pulsing, variation, and historical relevance. Students can join at any time during the term. For absolute beginning fiddle, please contact us at info@irishmusicschool.org for private lessons to get yourself ready for the group class.
BODHRÁN
ADULT beginning BODHRÁN
SUNDAYS 10:30-11:15am
MRS. MURPHY’s (3905 N. LINCOLN - CHGo) nov 17 - feb 9 (no classes dec 1, 29, jan 5) (10 weeks): $230
teacher: James Reilly
ADULT advanced INtermediate BODHRÁN
SUNDAYS 11:15am-12pm
MRS. MURPHY’s (3905 N. LINCOLN - CHGo)
nov 17 - feb 9 (no classes dec 1, 29, jan 5) (10 weeks): Class Fee $230
teacher: James Reilly
Learn to hear, understand, feel and play the rhythms in Irish tunes. This ongoing group class is taught by James Reilly who will begin to show you and then teach you how to drill the rhythmic mysteries of traditional Irish music, and help you develop the stamina and skills to play in an Irish session, where you’ll gradually develop your creativity and imagination.
MIXED INSTRUMENT ENSEMBLE & SESSION CLASS
SUNDAYS 12-2pm
MRS. MURPHY’S (3905 N. LINCOLN - CHGO)
nov 17 - feb 9 (no classes dec 1, 29, jan 5) (10 weeks): $250
Teachers: James Reilly & Seán Cleland
This fun, mixed-instrument (fiddles/accordions/tin whistles/flutes, etc.) Irish music class is for advanced beginners and up, and is taught by Seán Cleland (fiddle) and James Reilly (flute/tin whistle) along with occasional guest teachers like Tim Langen (fiddle), Tim Britton (uilleann pipes/tin whistle). Students meet on Sundays @ 12 and learn Irish tunes from the inside out; delving into studying style, historical relevance, time feel, phrasing and ornamentation. The first hour will be instructor-led class upstairs; the second hour will be guided participation in a group session downstairs in the pub.
