Album Notes

Since 1973 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann has been preceeded by the Scoil Éigse, a week dedicated to the teaching of our traditional music, song and dance. At this annual Summer school experienced musicians singers and dancers share their expertise with the students who attend the various classes, workshops lectures and recitals. The Scoil Éigse reflects the priority and commitment given by CCÉ to the teaching of Irish music song and dance. The work of the Éigse complements the work done by Comhaltas branches nationwide and abroad in organising classes for our native traditional performance arts. Le cúpla blain anuas tá ranganna Ghaeilge á eagrú sa Scoil Éigse chomh maith chun chur le forbairt ár dteanga.

The development of musicianship on any instrument is a gradual and lengthy process where playing, listening and thinking about music all combine to influence the developing musician. An intrinsic part of this process, is learning how to listen to, and appreciate, the various individual and regional styles of playing an dsinging that exist. In keeping with the educational focus of CCÉ the organisation decided to mark its fiftieth anniversary by issuing a compilation CD to all those attending the 2001 Scoil Éigse in Listowel. This compilation of recordings is reflective of the various instruments, repertoire, regional and individual styles of musical interpretation that combine to comprise our national music.

The musicians singers and dancers attending the Scoil Éigse of 2001 typify th eyounger artists in whose hands the future of our traditional heritage lies. The CD includes highly respected performers many of whom have at some tatge shared their experience with Scoil Éigse students. They are artists who have eraned the ultimate recognition, i.e. the respect and admiration of their fellow musicians and singers. Individually each track is complete in itself and when combined together they give a varied and discerning insight into our musical heritage.