Sligo Creek | Irish Session

For Children - Sligo Creek Hedge School

mouse fiddling

Sign up by
March 1, 2012
and receive a free pennywhistle!

Call 301-592-0101
or email Karen at: mail@karenashbrook.com

An Irish Music & Culture summer day camp
for children ages 6-18

 

Deborah Brower teaching accordion

Hedge Schools came into existence during the Penal Law years in Ireland when Catholics were not allowed to be educated or to speak the Irish language. They were schools held in secret any and everywhere that kept the Irish language, culture and history alive.

playing the bodhran The Sligo Creek Hedge School, founded in 1998, is an Irish music and culture day camp for children. It is taught out of my home in Silver Spring, MD, just a few blocks from Sligo Creek. The camp day includes learning Irish tunes and songs, pennywhistle & bodhran (the Irish drum) instruction (Intro and Musicians' Weeks), Celtic art projects, playing at the creek, eating potatoes and most important of all a daily Tea & Poetry Break where over tea and sweets we first read, then write on various topics. There will be a performance for the families on the last day of camp.

 

Summer Camps 2012

two happy kids

karen teaching whistle
    © 2006 Timothy Raab / Northern Photo


Sprouting Celts - (Ages 7-9)
(must be 7 by January 1, 2012)
July 9-13, afternoons at MAD Week
This year the Sligo Creek Hedge School's Sprouts are excited to join in CCE MAD Music And Dance Week camp at Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, in Bethesda, MD! Sprouting Celts will be offered as an afternoon class. Come for a half day program or sign up for a full day taking a dance or music class in the morning. The children will sing, learn a little Irish, play games, learn some whistle and basic bodhran, make Celtic crafts and poetry.
Register for Sprouting Celts through the MAD website. Email Director Mitch Fanning for more information at jmitchellf@yahoo.com


Musicians’ Week - (Ages 9-14)
July 1-3 and 5-6 (no camp on Wed July 4), Sun July 1 meets 12:30-5:30 pm, the rest 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (weekday drop-off time 9-9:30)
For children ages 9-14 who already play some of the tunes in the Sligo Creek Hedge School's session book, or are ready to start learning! We will learn new repertoire and spend time jamming in addition to the above activities. Inquire about after care options! Audition required.
Cost: $360


Intro to Irish Music & Arts - (Ages 9-14)
July 25-29, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm (drop-off time 9-9:30)
The children will sing, learn bodhran (the Irish drum), accordion and pennywhistle in addition to learning about Irish culture, crafts and poetry. No music experience necessary! Inquire about after-care options.
Cost: $360 if registered by April 1st ($420 after April 1).


Teen Celtic Band Week (6 days) - (Ages 13-18)
June24-29 Mon and Fri, 9:30 am - 4:00 pm (drop-off time 9-9:30)
(*6/24 Sunday session meets 1-6 pm, Tues-Thurs camp extends into the evening for performances.)
Co-taught by Paul Oorts, for teens already seriously involved in music. This 6-day camp works on developing ensemble skills, presenting traditional and contemporary Celtic music for concert audiences. Layering, dynamics, creating intros, bridges, endings, and crafting performance arrangements will be the focus of the camp. The group will record a CD of their newly created arrangements. There will be some evening activities during the week, including running a Tuesday night Irish music session at McGinty's Pub, performing at a retirement home and giving a public concert. During the year there will also be a few public performances at festivals and at Brookside Garden's Festival of Lights. Audition required.
Cost: $450 if registered by April 1st ($510 after April 1).

 

Cost: $180 per camp is due with registration. Balance is due June 1st.
All registrations after April 1st will be charged a late registration fee of $60.
Ask about family discounts!

For information contact Karen Ashbrook, mail@karenashbrook.com, 301/592-0101.

 

PROVERB: "Laughter improves the company" - M.L. age 12