Irish Cultural Center Holds Workshop Series "Tin Whistle for the Complete Beginner”

Irish Cultural Center Holds Workshop Series "Tin Whistle for the Complete Beginner”

WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England presents a new workshop series, Tin Whistle for the Complete Beginner, taught by Ellen Redman. This 6-week series of classes in February and March is aimed at kids aged 8–12, with no experience needed. Advance registration is required.

In this introductory workshop students will learn all the notes on the whistle which will enable them to play a few tunes just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The tunes will be taught by ear so reading music is not a requirement. Students will also explore Irish music in its many forms and what it’s like to play in a session.

The workshop takes place on Wednesdays from 4:45–5:30 pm, February 8 and 15, and March 1, 8, 15 and 22. After the last class on March 22, students will perform a few tunes prior to the regular weekly trad Irish session. Classes are held at the Irish Cultural Center, 429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA.

The workshop is free. Class size is limited to 12 students, children aged 8–12. Whistles and materials will be provided.

To register a child for the workshop, parents/guardians must complete the online registration form by February 6. The link can be found at the Irish Cultural Center's website, www.irishcenterwne.org.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the West Springfield Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

The workshop is being taught by Ellen Redman, a classically trained flutist and accomplished traditional Irish flutist and whistle player. Redman is an instructor of classical and Irish flute at Smith College and teaches Irish flute and whistle at the Connecticut Academy of Irish Music. She is a flutist with the Springfield Symphony and co-hosts a weekly session at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England, as well as guest-hosting sessions around New England.

The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. The mission of the Irish Cultural Center is to cultivate a connection with Ireland, through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. The Center offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel, and social events that promote Irish culture.

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For information, contact:
Ellen Gallivan, Administrative Director
Irish Cultural Center of Western New England
429 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA
irishcenterwne@gmail.com
413-333-4951

2023 West Springfield Arts Council Grants Awarded

 2023 West Springfield Arts Council Grants Awarded

The West Springfield Arts Council has awarded grants to 18 events and programs for the coming year.

The Arts Council members considered each of the 27 proposals submitted and determined that 18 of the applicants successfully met the funding criteria established by the Mass Cultural Council.

The mission of the West Springfield Arts Council is to enrich the cultural life of the West Springfield community.  Each year, cultural grants help to support a wide array of programs, including concerts, exhibits, festivals, short-term artists residencies, school performances, workshops and lectures.

2023 West Springfield Arts Council Grant Recipients:

• West Springfield Senior Center presents MEMORY LANE GARDEN, an ongoing yearlong gardening project.

• West Springfield Boys & Girls Club, Inc. presents WINTER WONDERLAND S.T.E.A.M., a weekly program in January and February across four sites: WSBG Club Main site, Fausey Elementary, Mittineague Elementary, and Tatham Elementary.

• Musician Taylor Mickens will produce a professional video and audio recorded concert titled TAYLOR ROSE MICKENS RECORDED STUDIO SESSION CONCERT from January through Spring at the GhostHit Recording Studio.

• Irish Cultural Center, Inc. of Western New England presents TIN WHISTLE FOR THE COMPLETE BEGINNER, a January/February program of six, forty-five minute music lessons that will teach youth to play the tin whistle. 

• Award-winning artist Gregory Maichack presents THE ROSE: FIND YOUR VOICE WITH PASTEL PAINTING WORKSHOP in April at the West Springfield Library.

• Musician David Neill presents MUSIC CONCERT BY THE FANFARE BRASS ENSEMBLE on April 21 at the Grace Lutheran Church.

• Memorial School presents DAVE RUCH, MUSICIAN - WORLD COMMUNITIES AND FAMILY CONCERTS in May.

• Rita Parisi invites the community to the interactive presentation  VICTORIAN COURTSHIP TEA on May 13 at the West Springfield Public Library.

• Award-winning vocalist, flutist and teaching artist Sarah Clay presents the concert WHISPER NOT on May 27 at the West Springfield Public Library.

• Coburn Elementary School presents FUN WITH FAMILY- A MULTICULTURAL FAIR in June.

• West Springfield Public Library presents FIND YOU VOICE SUMMER READING PROGRAM from June 20 through August 4, a seven week program to encourage reading and entertain families during the summer school break.

• Sevenars Concerts, Inc. presents SEVENARS 55TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON which includes six live summer concerts and a music compilation video to air on West Springfield public access TV, Channel 15.

• West Springfield Parks and Recreation presents DIALED ACTION SPORTS in July at the West Springfield Middle School.

• West Springfield Parks and Recreation presents GROOVERSITY in July at the West Springfield Middle School.

• West Springfield Parks and Recreation presents LI LIU TRADITIONS OF CHINESE ACROBATICS on July 13 at the West Springfield Middle School.

• Small Planet Dancers presents THE CIVIL WAR BALLROOM on September 24 at the New England Grange Building, Big E Fairgrounds.

• Tatham Elementary School presents INTERACTIVE PEACEFUL PLAYGROUND throughout the school year.

• First Congregational United Church of Christ presents NEW ENGLAND RINGERS HOLIDAY CONCERT on December 9.

The West Springfield Arts Council, a local agency, is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. The Mass Cultural Council allocated the West Springfield Arts Council $24,900 for its FY23 grants budget.

Arts Council members include Joanne Burke, Janet Eckert, Madelyn Miller, Patricia Murphy and Robert Whitney.