Irish Music School of Chicago

Sean Cleland founded the Irish Music School of Chicago in 2003 to pass on the vital, exciting tradition of Irish music to a new generation of students. Says Cleland, "We teach the traditional way, as a collaboration among local Irish musicians, teachers, students, and the community itself. Our students learn almost entirely by ear. We not only teach them the tunes and the stories behind the tunes, but also to value being part of a living musical community that values its senior members and is much larger than any individual. Our students have fun with Irish music and make friends wherever they go. They acquire creative and social outlets for their energies that will last them a lifetime. When they eventually leave us, they've learned how to play in front of audiences, played for hours at sessions, learned how to play for dancers and helped others learn to play. They can arrange themselves into groups, decide which tunes to play, and then figure out and memorize their own accompaniment parts and arrangements. Many can do these things on multiple instruments."

Irish Music School of Chicago students have won many top honors in both group and individual competitions across many age categories at the 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (pronounced "flah kee-ol"), the prestigious traditional Irish music competition held each May in a different major Midwestern city. In each of these years they have qualified to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (the World Championship of Irish Music) held in Ireland every August.

In August 2006, the students traveled to Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and to also attend the Scoil Eigse, a week-long series of workshops, classes, and concerts by Ireland's most masterful musicians.

Teaching Locations: The school gives lessons on many different instruments for all skill levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. These include: fiddle, flute, tin whistle, bodhran, concertina, accordion, singing, harp, banjo and guitar, as well as other accompanimental instruments. We also offer adult-specific classes. Lessons occur at various locations throughout the greater Chicagoland region including Chief O'Neill's Pub on the northwest side of Chicago, St. John Fisher School in Beverly, Gaelic Park, and the Musical Offering in Evanston.


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