Joan Mundy Group (Adults) session 1st & 3rd wednesday 7:30-9:30

Eamon Spillane group (Adults) session ‘Not so fast‘ 2nd & 4th Wednesday 7:30-9:30

5th Wednesday Sing-Song with Eamon Spillane

Ceoltoiri Naarm (kids) Every Wednesday from 6:30

 Any young children  or teenagers interested in learning Irish music at Comhaltas Melbourne,  are welcome to come in and listen on a Wednesday night  & also have a chat with Aifric or Ciaran.

 

We meet every Wednesday night 7:30pm – 10:00pm (6:30 for kid’s group)

at St Philip’s Anglican Church Hall

146 Hoddle St, Abbotsford VIC 3067

(next to Collingwood Town Hall, a short 5 minute walk from Collingwood railway station).

Sessions are from 7:30 and are followed by a hearty supper and a chat!

Joan Mundy runs sessions on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. 
Joan has led the Comhaltas band for dances for over 30 years and welcomes players to join in and learn the art of playing traditional Irish tunes for dances. 
Joan's sessions are aimed at preparing music for Céilis and Set Dances throughout the year at Comhaltas events [e.g. St Patrick's Day, Bacon and Cabbage Lughnasa night, the Christmas Dinner and other events] 
The Comhaltas band also plays at the National Celtic Festival @ Portarlington, the National Folk Festival in Canberra and at other festivals.
Playing for dances etc is for everyone who would like the experience and pleasure of watching people dancing to our music. Our Wednesday sessions often include a set with our dance class followed by supper . 
Playing by ear/memory is encouraged. Sheet music is also available.    

 

Eamon Spillane leads the Not So Fast Session (2nd and 4th Wednesdays)
This session focuses on becoming familiar with aspects of Traditional Irish Music including the types of tunes (Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Polkas, Waltzes, Airs, Slip Jigs, Slides etc). There is discussion about instruments, ornamentation, techniques and other aspects of playing Irish music. Participants share their own experiences and ideas.

• The first hour is usually a directed session/group class aimed at developing skills and learning tunes that promote discussion and extend our repertoire. In the second hour in turn each person selects a tune or set of tunes to lead the group with. We welcome any tunes and use Begged, Borrowed and Stolen as a common resource to assist selection.
• Participants vary in skill level but the aim is to find a level that assists all to play together. We encourage regular attendance to ensure the group is able to progress steadily. Most of those attending are able to read music but it is not a requirement.

RESOURCES for learning Irish Traditional music:

We are the Melbourne Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. You can find many fabulous resources at their website: https://comhaltas.ie/music/.

Tunes from the Fionn Seisiun books published by headquarters in Ireland which are accompanied by three CD’s with 328 well known Irish traditional tunes.These are available for purchase on request or can be ordered online

Previous visitors to Melbourne Comhaltas:

Over the years we have had many illustrious visitors, including Sean Smith, Ged Foley,  Paddy Kernan,  Jerry O’Connor (fiddle),  John Spillane, Michael Tubridy, Frank Whelan,

Vince Jordan from Comhaltas Birmingham visited in April 2017

Francis Cunningham and Colm Broderick did a concert in November 2023