Tin Whistle Workshop Series at Irish Cultural Center of Western New England – West Springfield, MA

The Irish Cultural Center is excited to offer a Tin Whistle Workshop Series taught by Ellen Redman this summer. This 6-week series is open to all, with no experience needed.

Begin your journey into Irish music with the tin whistle. Often called the “gateway” instrument to Irish traditional music, it is one of the easiest to play initially. We will start with the basics of the instrument and some simple tunes, then progress on to some polkas, jigs and hornpipes.

At the end of the six weeks, you can try your hand sitting in a session playing the tunes we practiced. Learn something new this summer at the ICC!

Dates and Time
• Wednesdays – June 17 & 24; July 8, 15 & 29; August 5 (note breaks)
• 5:15–6:00 pm

Cost
$200 ICC Patron / $230 General. Whistles and materials will be provided.

Register by June 15
• Purchase and complete registration online (service fee applies)
• Visit the ICC or call 413-333-4951 to pay by cash, check or charge and register.

Location
Irish Cultural Center, 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA
(use the patio entrance to the Irish House Restaurant)

The ICC’s Irish House Restaurant hosts an open trad session on Wednesdays from 6:30–9 pm. Stay for dinner and trad tunes after class!

Can’t make the summer workshop, but interested in future classes? Email Executive Director Caroline at cmorrissey@iccwne.org and she will keep you in the loop for future planned workshops.

About the Instructor
Ellen Redman, (Irish flute and tin whistle) is both a classically trained flutist and accomplished traditional Irish flutist and whistle player. Inspired by the flute playing of Kevin Crawford and Nuala Kennedy and with nurture and encouragement from Boston fiddlers Larry Reynolds and Seamus Connolly, she found a new direction and passion in her musical life and in 2006 and 2007 qualified for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. Ellen is an instructor of classical and Irish flute at Smith College and teaches Irish flute and whistle at the Connecticut Academy of Irish Music. She is a flutist with the Springfield Symphony and co-hosts a weekly session at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, as well as guest-hosting sessions around New England. She is also the director of The Wailing Banshees, a traditional Irish group she formed at Smith College, and frequently appears in and around the region with the band Banish Misfortune and her trio, Last Night’s Fun.

Class size is limited to 10; a minimum of 4 is required for workshop to move forward.