There is never a shortage of traditional music in these parts. Check out some upcoming concerts: Benefit Concerts Friends of fiddler Beth Telford are putting on two benefit concerts to raise money for Beth to take a paid medical leave from teaching so she can be by her husband’s side in the hospital. (You can Donate here if … More Upcoming Irish & Celtic music concerts
Music makes you happy. It’s true. Music causes the release of dopamine, a “feel-good” chemical in your brain. So listening to music literally makes you happy. That’s why during this time of year when the days become shorter, cooler and we enter into what us Vermonters like to call “stick season,” I try to immerse … More Music is the cure for the stick season blues
School is not yet in session but anyone who loves Irish music will be in school this weekend – the Four Corners School House that is. On Saturday, August 15, the Vermont School of Irish Traditional Music presents Tommy McCarthy and his wife, Louise Costello at the Four Corners Schoolhouse in East Montpelier.
I was told a story when I first started playing fiddle by one of my teachers who heard it from another teacher who basically said the following: “When first learning Irish music, it all sounds the same. You then start to learn the tunes and it all sounds different. Then you start to really get … More Set Dances, Hornpipes and Mazurkas, Oh My!
March is one of my favorite months. It’s the month both my mother and grandmother were born, it’s the month where the days get so much longer, it’s also the month to celebrate Irish music. And you don’t need to be Irish to partake in the festivities. Growing up in Boston, St. Patrick’s Day was always … More Enjoying St. Paddy’s Day in Vermont
Valentine’s day is not just for lovers, it’s also for music lovers. And this Valentine’s Day there is tons of Irish music to love. Grab your date and start your day at 10am with an Irish music workshop (see details below) from FullSet, then hit the Bagitos session in Montpelier from 2-5pm, and then at 7:30pm FullSet, will … More Irish music the right way on Valentine’s Day
Cape Breton music holds a dear place in my heart for many reasons. It was the first genre of fiddle music I learned before I started playing Irish music. And I learned it from a great teacher, Beth Telford, who actually lives in Vermont. She introduced me to many a great fiddle players, composers, dancers … More Dance away the winter blues
It may be cold and dark out there but you can warm up with some hot music coming up in the next week. Here’s the low down: Saturday, January 10 – Irish session at Bagitos session 2-5pm – long-running, unaccompanied and hugely successful with some of Vermont’s best traditional Irish musicians. Sunday, January 11 – Knotwork concert … More Upcoming Irish music events
Now that that holidays are over it’s time to do something nice for yourself. Take yourself to a nice dinner and then go listen to some fabulous music. And here is my recommendation: On January 16, Pride of New York will visit Vermont for a show not to be missed. These are some of the best … More The Pride of New York in Vermont
When I was first taking fiddle lessons I said to my teacher at the time, “I want to play fast.” She said “start listening to Liz Carroll.” So I did. And I fell in love with her music. It’s not the speed of Liz’s playing that makes her such a brilliant player though, it’s the preciseness … More Liz Carroll Returns to Vermont
Session Obsession 