To register click here
The Celtic Arts Foundation is pleased to present a Smallpipe/Reelpipe workshop in the Fall of 2012. We are returning to the Firs Conference Center, in Bellingham, WA on October 4-7, hoping to offer a repeat of what was a very successful workshop there in 2011. The weekend will once again feature top instructors; EJ Jones, of Ashville, NC, and Fred Morrison of Bishopton, Scotland.
Obsessed Smallpipe and Borderpipe player (and CAF Executive Director) Skye Richendrfer met EJ at the Piper’s Gathering in Killington, VT in August of 2010. EJ was an instructor and featured performer at the Gathering, and impressed all of those attending with his approach to Smallpipe playing and overall musicianship. He got his start on Highland Pipes in Houston with the St. Thomas Episcopal School, under the instruction of Michael Cusack. In the early 1990s, EJ co-founded the trad group “Clandestine,” a band that stays in great demand to this day. EJ remains an active competitive professional Highland piper, and also keeps very busy making Scottish Smallpipes in his workshop in Asheville, NC. Here is a link to EJ’s website.
EJ will by joined by one of our favorite performers and instructors from the Celtic Arts Winter School program, Fred Morrison. A gold medal-winning Highland Piper, Fred is widely regarded as one of the top bellows-blown Reelpipe players in the world. His music is steeped in the traditions of his South Uist heritage, but influenced by diverse and surprising sources such as bluegrass to name one. Highland pipes, Uileann pipes, low whistles, Smallpipes or Reelpipes – Fred can do it all, and his teaching approach is energetic, patient and most of all fun! Here’s a link to Fred’s website to learn more.
Fred and EJ will certainly help make this an incredible musical experience for all who can participate. Space is limited and there will be a cap of 25 students for this weekend workshop.
Program Location – Bellingham
The Autumn Smallpipe Workshop is being held at the Firs Conference Center in Bellingham, WA, October 4-7, 2012. The Firs Conference Center is a 7-acre wooded campus, just 2 blocks from Lake Whatcom.
A link to the retreat center can be found here: The Firs.
Visitors from outside of the immediate area are perhaps not used to seeing so many large trees! Small cabins are spread around the grounds, a common dining hall does a wonderful job of offering up breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Be sure to get your registration in early, as this workshop is sure to fill up!
Small seminar class sizes are a hallmark of programs offered by the Celtic Arts Foundation. We’re very mindful of the benefits of having access to accomplished and experienced instructors. This year, we’ve arranged to have students arrive on Thursday evening, followed by a performance by both Fred and EJ in Bellingham. That gives us a complete and full day for instruction on Friday, and Saturday, and most of Sunday. Once again on Sunday afternoon when the workshop concludes, , we’re heading down I-5 about 30 minutes south from the Firs, to Mount Vernon. The Skagit River Brewing Company is hosting another performance by Fred and EJ – sure to be another great show! To register click here or visit the Celtic Arts Foundation .
