Traditional Irish Music & Dance at the University of Notre Dame
Class Offerings
Tin Whistle
IRLL 11320
Tuesdays, 3:30-4:45pm
South Dining Hall, Upper Level, Hospitality Room
Though the tin whistle is considered the "starter instrument" for Irish traditional music, it is essential to the Irish music tradition. This class will provide basic through intermediate instruction on the whistle, including fingering, breath work, and ornamentation. It will introduce students to the music of notable tin whistle players, the basic values of traditional music as a practice, and mechanics (breath, fingering, melody, and ornamentation).
Introduction to Sean-nós Dance
IRLL 10900/ ANTH 10900
Tuesdays, 5-6:15 pm
South Dining Hall, Upper Level, Hospitality Room
se Description: Connemara Sean-nós (old style) Dancing
Kept alive in the remote area of the Connemara Gaeltacht, this low-to-the-ground style of step dancing is characterized by a loose upper body and playful, improvised rhythms. Traditionally male-dominated, the style has gained popularity in recent years with men and women alike, due to it being a "user friendly" style of Irish dancing, compared to traditional/competition style step dance.
This class will give students an overview of the dance in the landscape of Irish dancing as a form, and as a cultural practice by those separated by language, geography, and economics. In addition to learning the history of the form, students will learn the fundamental sean-nós dance elements, traditional 8 bar phrases, and how to create their own individual style through play, improvisation, and connection to the music.