Dear Reader –
Information, not advice in today’s letter. Starting with adult learning and an intriguing story about a busker in Granada.
**All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
It’s a big thing to try and learn a new skill as an adult. As children we are used to trying new things and not necessarily succeeding, but the feeling of not being good at something is not generally a nice one, and hence as adults we tend to try and avoid it.
However getting over this hurdle can bring rewards, and it has been a joy to witness the satisfaction in many adult students over the years who have put their mind to learning something and eventually succeeded.
I enjoyed this short podcast recently on the value of learning in a community, and hence have tried to incorporate more of that into my learning programme for both adults and children this year.
There are an ever-decreasing number of slots left on the adult piano tuition programme that I offer. There are two learning options - more info here. And our music club will be starting soon too.
And while I’m on the subject, I have one - yes one (!) - slot left for a child on this year’s timetable. First come first served.
Where else but Sligo?
Many of you will know Fraser Gaine (pictured below with Joe Hunt in 2015). He looks a bit different now (!), and has recently moved to Granada for the year as part of his studies. I was chatting to him during the week about whether he would be able to take part in our next show in October - it’s unlikely unfortunately, but he finished the message by telling me that he just passed a harpist busking on the street in Granada playing An Cruitire!
An Cruitire is a beautiful tune written by Michael Rooney. I love to play it, and many others do too obviously.
I would love to know if somehow the tune has reached the music scene in Granada, or if possibly this harpist was from Sligo and is showing off Michael’s wonderful music to a new audience? Can anyone help?
What’s New?
DRAÍOCHT: Harp/flute duo Draíocht is Michael Rooney (harp) and his wife and long-time collaborator June McCormack (flute). Together they released their third album this summer just gone - and it’s great. Find out more, including how to order the album here.
DOLLY: I enjoyed this quote from the great Dolly Parton this morning - “I don’t like to give advice. I like to give people information because everyone's life is different, and everyone's journey is different."
SINÉAD: I had a great day with Sinéad Conway last Saturday. She had two wedding gigs in Co. Galway so we made a road trip of it and relived many of our memories from playing weddings together over the years. We surprised ourselves by remembering songs from 10 years ago and were enjoying ourselves so much that we got a picture in front of these fancy flowers!
Finally…
Here is the aforementioned An Cruitire - possibly the first song to feature for a second time in this section.
Also featuring Seamie O’Dowd (guitar) and Junior Davey (bodhrán). From Not a Theme Night - our Feb 2021 online show.
Till next time - Kieran.
