|
Dear CIM friends,
Happy December! The wind may be howling out there, but inside the Center for Irish Music it is as cozy and lively as ever! Above is a photo of the 2024 Advanced Youth Ensemble, featuring 34 musicians from five ensembles, performing for a full house at CIM's annual Youth Ensemble Concert on November 23rd. Here's a highlight from the afternoon on our live YouTube page [or a slide show from the day?] Thanks to everyone who came out to support the next generation of traditional musicians in our community!
This month, we are wrapping up 2024 with a full weekend of open mics and recitals, while we plan our two big events in 2025, Éigse CIM, A Gaela Event (Feb 22) and the Minnesota Irish Music Weekend (June 5-8). Éigse tickets and sponsorships are on sale now, and I hope you will choose to support CIM's 20th anniversary by attending this special celebratory event.
During the many holiday events happening at the CJAC this month, be sure to head over to the CIM space to peruse the wall of instructors and the framed Celtic Cuties books & cds. As we launch into our 21st year, exciting developments are happening in our leadership team - staff, board, instructors, and volunteers. See some updates below, with more to come soon.
Finally, keep an eye open for spring registration, opening early next week.
Your involvement, musicianship, and support is the reason this community is thriving. Thank you!
Norah Rendell
Executive Artistic Director
Center for Irish Music
| |
Norah Rendell and Mary Vanorny make announcements during the annual Youth Ensemble Holiday Concert. | |
The Corncrake Beginner Ensemble performs in the CJAC lobby before the Youth Ensemble Holiday Concert. | |
The Redwing Ensemble performs in CJ Studio 2 before the Youth Ensemble Holiday Concert. | |
CIM students and staff play tunes at the Give to the Max Day lunchtime session on November 21st in the Scanlan Music Hall. | |
Joanna Hyde from One for the Foxes teaches a workshop on November 17th. | |
Dave Curley from One for the Foxes teaches a song workshop on November 17th. | |
|
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR
ÉIGSE CIM, A GAELA EVENT!
SUPPORTING 20 YEARS OF HANDING DOWN THE TRADITION
FEBRUARY 22, 5:00 PM
| |
|
TICKETS
$100 ($125 after January 15) — Mix, mingle, and enjoy a selection of hors d’oeuvres, desserts and drinks, followed by a live performance from CIM’s talented instructors and students.
$1,000+ — Sponsor the event at $1000 or more and you and a guest will receive reserved seating and complimentary service during the concert, as well as access to a special VIP reception.
FREE (VIRTUAL TICKET) — Enjoy access to the professionally-broadcast streaming concert featuring Center for Irish Music instructors, as well as access to our virtual silent auction. Suggested donation $25.
| |
|
|
WELCOME MARGARET SNYDER
NEW EVENT & OUTREACH COORDINATOR
| |
|
Join us in welcoming Margaret Snyder to the Center for Irish Music staff! Margaret started her full-time role as Event & Outreach Coordinator in October. You may also recognize her as the CIM's 2023 summer intern. Margaret graduated from Luther College with majors in Visual Communication and Cello Performance in 2024. While her musical training has been mainly classically-focused, she has explored and played music from Celtic folk traditions since high school, and did her Undergraduate Capstone project on increasing cellists’ accessibility to Celtic traditions.
If you haven't already, be sure to introduce yourself to Margaret next time you're at the Center for Irish Music!
| |
|
|
FALL TERM RECITALS
DECEMBER 6-8
| |
|
Mark your calendars for the Center for Irish Music's Fall Term Recitals and Adult Student Open Mic, taking place in the Celtic Junction Arts Center's Main Performance Studio.
ADULT STUDENT OPEN MIC
Friday, December 6 | 7:00pm
YOUTH RECITALS
Recital 1 - Saturday, December 7, 2pm
Recital 2 - Saturday, December 7, 3:30pm
Recital 3 - Sunday, December 8, 12:30pm
Recital 4 - Sunday, December 8, 2:00pm
Recital 5 - Sunday, December 8, 3:30pm
Visit our website for additional details.
| |
|
WELCOME NEW CIM BOARD MEMBERS | Join us in welcoming the newest additions to the Center for Irish Music Board of Directors: Karen Smith, Samantha Jekot-Graham, and Jeff Larsen! | |
| | |
OLIVER SHERMAN RECEIVES JAMES M. CURLEY SCHOLARSHIP | Congratulations to Oliver Sherman for being chosen as the recipient of the 2024-25 James M. Curley Memorial Scholarship! | |
| | |
|
MINNESOTA IRISH MUSIC WEEKEND
JUNE 5-8, 2025
| |
|
Save the date for Minnesota Irish Music Weekend, happening June 5-8, 2025!
Presented by the Center for Irish Music, Minnesota Irish Music Weekend is a unique festival that pairs world-class traditional Irish musicians and teachers with learners of all ages for a weekend of workshops, lectures, sessions and concerts.
Each of our visiting artists is recognized for their musical mastery, and will offer insights and techniques to help learners tap into the deep roots of traditional Irish music.
Watch your inbox for updates and artist announcements!
| |
|
|
UPCOMING CIM & COMMUNITY EVENTS
Parentheses indicate CIM instructors, students or staff members performing with a group
| |
|
FRIDAY, DEC. 6 | 7:00 PM
CIM Adult Student Open Mic
Celtic Junction Arts Center
SATURDAY, DEC. 7 | 2 PM, 3:30 PM
CIM Youth Recitals 1, 2
Celtic Junction Arts Center
SUNDAY, DEC. 8 | 12:30 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM
CIM Youth Recitals 3, 4, 5
Celtic Junction Arts Center
DEC. 13 -15
Celtic Holiday Hooley (with Norah Rendell, Todd Menton)
Celtic Junction Arts Center
DEC. 15 | 5:30 PM
Pick, Buttons & Bow (with Urban Hillbilly Quartet)
Gingko Coffeehouse
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18 | 7:00-10:00 PM
Twin Cities Ceili Band
The Dubliner Pub
| |
|
THURSDAY, DEC. 19 | 7:30 PM
Katie McMahon's Celtic Christmas (band featuring Mary Vanorny)
Hopkins Center for the Arts
SATURDAY, DEC. 21 | 7:30 PM
The Harp and The Holly with Hannah Flowers
Celtic Junction Arts Center
DEC. 23 - JANUARY 5
The Center for Irish Music is closed for Winter Break
JANUARY 6
CIM registration deadline for returning students to keep private lesson time
JANUARY 10
CIM registration deadline for group classes, family discounts.
JANUARY 12 | 2:00-4:00 PM
Youth Session at MetroNOME Brewing
MetroNOME Brewing
| |
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CIM! | |
The Center for Irish Music is a 501c3 nonprofit, and we depend on your support to continue passing down the tradition of Irish music and song. Please consider joining us as a volunteer or making a gift to the CIM today!
| | | |
|
This activity is made
possible by the voters of
Minnesota through
a Minnesota State Arts
Board Operating Support
grant, thanks to a
legislative appropriation
from the arts and
cultural heritage fund.
| |
| | | |
