TRE - Comhaltas Archive

Paddy RyanIn traditional Irish arts. eachgeneration mentors the next. and thefuture grows richer for it. TheComhaltas community is blessed witha number of artists whose talent anddedication inspire others. At the 2006North American ComhaltasConvention Weekend in Chicago. April20 -23. you will have the opportunityto learn from a number of theseindividuals. in workshops and ceilithe.From Ireland. the esteemed PaddyRyan will present a program on theregional fiddle styles of Sligo. Clare.and Donegal.As a young child in CountyRoscommon. Paddy Ryan had a solidstart in traditional music. inspired byhis grandfather Pat Murphy and uncleTom Murphy. who were both fiddlers.He joined Comhaltas in 1956. andwas founder member of the KillinaCeili band in 1957. which continuestoday. He has continually expandedhis service to the Irish musiccommunity. through trainingadjudicators. involvement in the TTCTdiploma course for traditional musicteachers. and the Comhaltas' ScoilEigse. the annual summer school oftraditional music. song and dance.Since 1986. Paddy has servedComhaltas as Oifigeach Cheoil (MusicOfficer).At the Comhaltas Weekend.you can meet Paddy Ryan and enjoyinsights from a generous teacher.Also from Ireland. the masterful PatMurphy will lead workshops for ceiliand set dancers. as well as ceilithe.As a youth in county Tipperary. PatMurphy's family also gave him an earlystart in traditional music and dance.Sets were danced often at home.Learning accordion from his fatherJack. Pat's career took a turn at a setdance competition one night when hewas tapped to come down from theband and fill in for an injured dancer.His set won; and Pat was invited tostay with the set.Through dance mentors Jack Slatteryand Connie Ryan. Pat embarked onteaching set dancing in many places.His career so far has spanned everypart of Ireland (including two weeklongsummer schools annually).England. mainland Europe. the NorthAmerican Comhaltas Convention. theMilwaukee Irishfest. Japan. Moscow.Australia and New Zealand.Pat's credits also include two booksand a growing list of instructionalvideos.These are just two of the teacherswhom you can experience at the2006 North American ComhaltasWeekend. There will be many otherworkshops for musicians. dancers.singers and their companions too.Young musicians will also be offered aspecial workshop and session. Thesessions. banquet. and ceilithe alsopromise a special time for all.Rory Chole. step-dancer. accordionplayer. drummer and young son of theComhaltas Weekend co-chairs. Kell andMike Chole. was asked for his views ontraditional Irish arts. Rory responded."It's fun - you meet new friends - thelife skills stay with you your whole life.My family has taught me and a lot ofother people about music; and thatmakes me happy." His is one of manyyouthful voices who bode well for thefuture of traditional Irish music.Reflecting on all of this. DirectorGeneral of Comhaltas. SenatorLabhras 6 Murchu. offered thisperspective. "The story ofComhaltas reflects the story ofIreland and her native culture. Inevery generation there arededicated people who give of theirtime and talents to promote andenhance those culturalcharacteristics which single us outas a distinctive nation."For more information on theComhaltas Weekend. please visit theMurphy Roche Branch's web site:www.murphyroche.com29