Presenter: Ken Fleming-www.oflahertyretreat.org/Instructors/kenfleming.html
Standard Celtic Guitar
In this class, students will learn to apply and expand their guitar technique using standard tuning to accompany
Celtic traditional music. The class will explore a variety of types of tunes, dynamics through syncopation and
emphasis, chord substitutions and common progressions. Students should be comfortable with basic chords and
strumming.
Irish Tenor Banjo/Mandolin
This class will explore the use of the tenor banjo and mandolin in traditional Irish music. Particular emphasis will
be placed upon proper left and right-hand techniques, ornamentation, variation, and translating concepts from
other traditional instruments such as pipes and fiddle to the mandolin. Rhythms and chording will also be covered.
What Makes It Irish Music?
Have you ever wondered how the great Irish players make the music sound so "Irish?" How do they get that lilt to
their melodies, that rhythmic something that enhances jigs and reels so well? What can American players learn to
help them get close to playing Irish music as traditionally played in Ireland? We’ll explore some answers to the
questions.
Learning Celtic Music by Ear
This class is offered for players of all instruments. The class will explore ear training and memorization tools to
enhance the student’s ability to learn and retain tunes without the aid of written music or tablature. It also will help
students learn what key to play in for a given melody.
Presenter: Tammy Willcox-Harp Ventures
Harp WorkShop
Presentation of combination of two harp workshops entitled “Fundamentals of Beginning Harp” and “How to Play
the Harp in an Irish Session”. Pre-printed instructional handouts will be provided for participants to carry home as
well as a copyrighted hand-out written by Tammy Willcox entitled “Fun and Interesting Facts about the Harp!”
Presenter: Steve Vanlandingham
Irish Bouzouki
Class will explore the use of the bouzouki in traditional Irish music. Different tunings and types of instruments will
be covered. Modal chords, rhythms and accompaniment patterns will be emphasized.
Students will apply these chords and patterns on the main types of irish tunes: jigs, reels, polkas, etc.
Presenter: Miranda Arana
Irish Flute and Whistle
Class will explore the use of the flute and penny whistle in traditional Irish music: history, basic fingering and
technique will be covered. Students will learn two beginner tunes. If time permits students will learn how to add
traditional Irish ornaments to popular Irish reels, jigs, and polkas.
Presenters: Miranda Arana, Kathy Dagg and Shanda McDonald
The Zen of Celtic Music
Interpreting and applying Irish moods and modes to a variety of instruments and
styles. Listening to spaces between the notes and finding musical sanctuary. Bring your inner instrument and
participate in a musical therapy session with the Merry Sisters and Arabesque!
(This would good at the end of the fest when everyone is burnt out!)
HERALDRY
This workshop has two parts. First an on site exhibit of both horse and knight in costume with the Graham family’s
coat of arms. A horse, draped in a heraldic blanket will give the workshop attendees an idea of how, if the knight’s
back is to his companion at arms, at least they can see the devices on his horse blanket. The workshop then will
adjourn to the interior of the second building, where a tri-fold will exhibit different Scottish, English and Irish
families’ coats of arms. The attendees will be provided with workbooks with which to research the coat of arms
of the chief of their family. There will be sheets with various devices, which they can cut apart in order to assemble
a likeness of the chief’s coat of arms.
This workshop will have an offshoot that will involve the children’s portion of the festival. They also will be invited to
make their own coat of arms showing the things they like and even using a device from their Chief’s coat of arms.
The adults will be given sheets with the most familiar heraldic terms, including the names of the heraldic colors
which are in French! They will be shown how a coat of arms comes about in the first place, that it contains devices
which pertain to the family for which it is intended.
WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS
WERE YOUR CAUCASIAN ANCESTORS BROUGHT TO THE NEW WORLD IN BONDAGE?-THE JACOBITE REBELLION
This workshop will begin in a lecture room, in which the attendees while be given a short history of the three
Jacobite Rebellions in Scotland from 1689-1745. As a result of this rebellion, many sympathizers of the Stewart
family, the true heirs of the throne of Great Britain, were prosecuted for treason, either executed, imprisoned,
or like the vast majority, shipped to the King’s colonies around the globe. Since many of these transported persons
came to North America, eventually were set free to establish a life here, they are the ancestors of many Citizens in
North America, most especially the United States.
Because the government of the time, kept impeccable records, we know the names of these persons, and can
research those whose surnames might be in our family tree. After the preliminary lecture, the group will adjourn to
the Genealogy table where records for research will be available to them. The moderator will assist them in their
research. Paper and writing instruments will be provided for them to copy any records which might pertain to their
ancestor or family.
This can be not only a great educational tool, but a profound genealogical tool also. With this information the
attendees can go to the nearest genealogical library and research ships passenger lists, also various series of
books which contain exhaustive list of “transported” persons. This workshop has been very well received in the
past by workshop attendees because it gives them a springboard form which to start their genealogical research
WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN
VIKINGS
Since one of the highlights of the Festival in 2008 will be an Encampment of Viking re-enactors, it was conceived
that perhaps an educational hands-on program should be furnished to the children attending the Festival.
There will be coloring pages of Vikings that they can color. Also a map of the then-known world, with small cut out
ships, in which children can trace the voyages of the Vikings…ending up, of course, in North America.
Another interesting facet of this workshop for children is a page of “Runes”, Viking writing which the children can
use to copy off their names or messages in the Runes. As an added event to the workshop, children will be taken
over the small museum in the history section and allowed to hold the Viking artifacts on display there.
The Viking encampment itself will have many educational aspects which will enlighten the community as to that
culture 1000 years ago. Also it will pertain to the lives of our ancestors who were Vikings---most especially those
who came with William the Conquerer to Great Britain in 1066. Records of these families will be provided on the
Genealogy Table for the attendees to peruse. Help will be provided by the History Chairman who will be providing
the books.
EXTENSION OF THE HERALDRY WORKSHOP
TARTAN – THE POOR MAN’S “COAT OF ARMS”
This workshop will be for both children and adults, but conducted separately.
The adults will be provided books in which to look up which tartan belongs to their particular family. Also books
with colored photos of the tartan plaids will be provided. Also below those photos will be “weaver’s codes”
should any of the attendees have a hobby of weaving material. This is generally one of the most popular parts of a
workshop. Everyone loves plaid, and more if it belongs to one’s family. Several swatches of plaid will be
provided the attendees so that they can see the “sett” (design) in person.
For the children's part of this workshop, they will be provided with a cut-out Scottie dog, and be able to choose
from a chart of “tartan” collars with which to adorn their dog. First, they will have to look up which tartan belongs
to their family. In some instances, families will not have their own plaid, but wear another families with whom the
original family in Scotland centuries ago either married into, or was affiliated with. This activity will use books for
research, and apply it to a craft that they are working on. This Scottie dog can then be used as a possible
Christmas decoration or as a show ‘n tell in the classrooms
Also provided will be various sheep's wools used to make tartan/plaid. The children and adults can examine these
samples of wool first hand. They will have an explanation of the process through which wool goes through before
being finally woven into a tartan/plaid.
Workshops
The Oklahoma Celtic Heritage Association is pleased to announce a vast array of workshops that will be made
available for the 2008 Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival. Listed below are the proposed workshops and
information pertaining to said workshops. Please be sure to check in often for updated information concerning
registration and additions to the workshop line-up. If you are interested in hosting or participating in a workshop
please contact Roger and Carol Graham at celticgraham@sbcglobal.net.
available for the 2008 Oklahoma Celtic Music and Heritage Festival. Listed below are the proposed workshops and
information pertaining to said workshops. Please be sure to check in often for updated information concerning
registration and additions to the workshop line-up. If you are interested in hosting or participating in a workshop
please contact Roger and Carol Graham at celticgraham@sbcglobal.net.
