A Musical Afternoon with Legendary Irish Concertina Player Mary MacNamara
When: May 26, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Trinity College- The University of Melbourne Dining Hall (Parkville)
Donation at Door: $10
The workshop will involve approximately an hour with Mary during which she will share with us how she learned and plays traditional Irish tunes. During this period the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions. Following a short break, everyone is invited (beginners and advanced musicians) to play some of our regular slow session tunes with Mary. This is a one off event that is not going to be repeated anywhere in Australia. Please send us an email (markjmcd@gmail.com) if you intend to come or if you have any questions.
Mary MacNamara Biography
Mary is a native of Tulla in east Clare, Ireland and was brought up in a family steeped in traditional music, her mother was a pianist, her father played the concertina and her brother Andrew is the well known accordion player. She started out playing the accordion having had lessons with Vincent Griffin but moved on to the concertina when her great aunt Minnie passed down a Hohner concertina to be "broken in". Mary attended numerous sessions in Lena's pub in Feakle with Joe Bane, Bill Malley and Mikey Donohue. Like most of the present east Clare musicians the Hayes family has played a great part in influencing her style. Mary played duets with Martin for many years and she still often plays in concerts with him. She has a beautiful, graceful, relaxed style of playing that can only be attained by years of listening, practicing and honing to perfection. She has won a number of all Ireland competitions both as a soloist (concertina) and in duet with Martin Hayes and has toured extensively in Europe and the U.S.A. No collection of Irish music should be without her 2 albums "Mary MacNamara" and "The Blackberry Blossom” as well as her recent album she made with her brother Andrew “Open Hearth”. This CD is based on the music they first heard as children from Joe Bane and Bill Malley who were friends of their father. The music epitomises the East Clare style of playing and is a must have for anyones collection.
Mary also has a great gift for teaching having taught handicapped children for many years. Mary teaches music to all levels at Tulla's National School as well as in her Music Room and in Feakle. She teaches accordion, whistle, piano and fiddle as well as concertina. She is very keen to pass on the musical tradition of east Clare to the younger generation some of whom are winning their own all Ireland competitions.
This information was modified from material published on the East Clare Musicians Website (http://claremusic.tripod.com/).
CD’s will be available at the Workshop.
Tune Selection for Group Session
1.Murphy’s Polka (Vol. 1, pg 33); Sweeney’s Polka(Vol. 1, pg 33); Hannah’s Polka (Vol. 1, pg 33)
2.West Clare Jig (Vol. 1, pg 54); Dingle Regatta (Vol. 1, pg 54)
3.The Silver Spear (Vol. 1, pg 17); Shannon Breeze (Vol. 1, pg. 17)
4.Roddy McCauley (Vol. 2, pg 132); Wearing of the Green(Vol. 2, pg 132)
5.Off to California(Vol. 1, pg 44); Boys of Bluehill (Vol. 1, pg 45)
6.Out on the Ocean,(Portroe ) (Vol. 1,pg 59); Connachtman’s Rambles,(Vol1, pg 57)
7.Miss McLeods Reel (Vol. 1, pg 10); Merry Blacksmith (Vol. 1, pg 11)
8.Buachaill on Eirne (Vol. 1, pg 87); South Wind (Vol. 1, pg 87)
9.Ward’s Jig (Vol. 2, pg 105) ; Blarney Pilgrim (Handout Booklet pg 14)
10.King of the Fairies (Handout, pg 17); The Rights of Man (Vol. 1, pg.47)
11.The Blackthorn Stick (Vol. 1, pg 56); Rakes of Kildare (Vol. 1, pgs 42 & 63)
12.The Rose Tree (Vol. 1, pg 37); All the Way to Galway (Vol. 1, 37); Galway City (Vol. 1, pg 37); Finnigan’s Wake (Vol. 1, pg 37)
13.Kerry Slides 1&2,(Vol.1, pg 73)
14.All the Britches;(Vol.1,34); Forty Pound Float;(Handout Booklet pg.1)
15.Shoe the Donkey; also called “Varsovienne” or “Versavanna” (Vol. 1, Pg. 83)
16.Fox Hunters Slip Jig,(vol.1, pg 81)
17.Father Kelly’s Reel #1 Rossmore Jetty, (Vol.2 pg 18)
18.Kesh Jig (Vol.1, pg 55)
19.Spootishkerry(Handout Booklet pg.6)
20.The Butterfly(Handout booklet pg.17)
21.The Cock of the North (Handout Booklet); 100 Pipers; (Handout Booklet pg 2)
22. Merrily Kiss the Quaker’s Wife (Vol. 1. pg 54)
23. Scatter the Mud (Handout Booklet pg. 8)
Note: The book volume numbers refer to Kathleen Harte's two compilations of Irish music entitled: 1) Passing on the Tradition and 2) Let's Have a Session: Continuing the Tradition
How to Get There:
The workshop will be the held in the historic Trinity College Dining Hall (Parkville).It is located in the centre of the College (Melways Map 2B C5).There is no parking at the college or on The University of Melbourne Campus, but here is plenty of parking along the streets in the area. There is good long-term parking along Princess Park Dr to the north.The College is also accessible via tram along Royal Parade. See detailed maps below.
Acknowledgments:
This workshop has been organised by Flanagan’s Mob for the sole purpose of passing on Irish traditional music. We would like to thank Helen O’Shea for her support in organising the workshop.We are also grateful to Andrew McGowan, Warden of Trinity College, and his staff for providing the venue.Finally, we would like to thank Arthur Rich for providing the sound equipment.
Location of Trinity College (Melways Map 2B C5)
Location of Trinity College Dining Hall (Workshop venue)