Offered this year:

• Instruction from Cillian Vallely and Ivan Goff, as well as a guest instructor from Na Piobairi Uilleann to be announced soon!  

• Expanded class and elective offerings including:     

  • Regulators- "From Posture to Playing”
  • Slow Airs- "How to make your chanter sing”
  • Regional Tunes from our guest piper
  • 30 minute 1-on-1 classes with our guests instructors.  
    • These are limited and registrants should inquire at check in as to availability.  Lessons will be $30 paid directly to the instructor.

• Saturday evening concert featuring our guest instructors. Concert ticket is included for attendees! 

• Late Night Pub Session - Saturday Night session after the concert at a local pub for those staying in the area (Kardinal Hall is hosting us this year)

• Additional flute class for pipers and flutists 

All participants must have their own pipes. Intermediate and Advanced pipers should work to ensure their entire set is in acceptable playing condition. Beginners will be assisted - as able - on-site - to address issues as is possible.

Date: November 1-2

Location: Charlottesville Waldorf School Classrooms/Music Room.

Basic Schedule: (more specific details will be shared closer to our event)

Saturday:

  • Check-in 9am
  • Classes 10-5:00 pm
  • Lunch- onsite 1:30pm
  • Evening Concert 7pm
  • Late Session 10:00pm- 12:00am

Sunday:

  • Morning Flute Class with 
  • Piping Classes 11-4:00 pm
  • Lunch- onsite 1:30pm

Full Tionol Schedule.pdf

If you have question, please contact Piping Coordinator Randy Seelye. [email protected]

Registration Options

The Classes are divided based on “ability levels”. While many pipers over-estimate their ability - there are also some who under estimate their ability. We allow our students to choose their own ability level. It is important for you and the others in your class that you to be thorough and honest when determining your own ability.  If you find you are in the wrong level class- unable to keep up with the pace- we will assist you in getting into the class that will benefit you the most.

  • These classes will emphasis the foundational fundamentals that you need to be successful with playing the pipes: posture, pipe set position, bellows work, bag pressure management, chanter and hand position. Student’s individual goals will be addressed with ability appropriate tunes.

  • These classes will emphasis adding/expanding appropriate ornamentation to all types of tunes; adding drones to your play, and learning ability- appropriate tune(s). Tune selections will challenge the student giving them plenty of techniques to work on after the event. Specific student goals will be addressed.

  • These classes will challenge the advanced student with more difficult and complex tunes/ornamentation- incorporating the entire pipe set. Student’s individual goals will be addressed. These classes will move much faster and are meant for pipers who are good auditory learners and can learn new tunes quickly.

  • Sunday 9:00am With Ivan Goff for flute players just wanting to attend this class. The class is open to flute players of all ability levels- but is most suited for intermediate and advanced flute players.

Sunday 9:00am With Ivan Goff For Pipers attending the tionol who want to add the Sunday morning flute class to their experience.

Workshop Classes

Sunday afternoon we will focus on specific workshop topics. Each Workshop Class will explore the listed topic in greater depth. Instructors will utilize a combination of demonstration as well instruction that will be tune-based. Students should sign-up for the 2 workshops that interests them the most. There is a limit on the workshops - so if you do not get your first choice- go ahead and choose another. We are going to try to accommodate every student’s interest. If you did not get your first choice- let us know when you check-in and we will try to accommodate your request.

A note on Regulator classes: 

The regulators add the final musical/harmonic component to the Uilleann Pipes. They can provide incredible support and enhancement to the chanter. They are a challenge to learn. After attending various reg classes, we are trying a New approach. We want the class to be less of a demonstration- and more hands-on learning and playing. To accomplish this- we divided the regs into two classes. The Reg 1 Class- and most important- will focus on assisting each piper to get into the correct posture- and also to get their pipes into the best position for effective playing. Without this step- progress on the regs can be futile.


Reg 1 Class- This class will focus on the foundation of posture alignment and pipe positioning and set-up to help build success with regulators. Each student in the class will be given specific recommendations for their own posture and pipe position/set-up. If you are just beginning regs, it is recommended to pull and cap the tenor and Bass regulators- focusing on the single Baritone regulator. Students will work on holding long tones while moving up and down the baritone regulator with simple tune(s). Students registered for this class will get an audio file e-mailed to them as soon as they register containing the tunes that will be used in the workshop. This will give the student time to learn the basic tune so the focus of the session can be on the regs.
Sunday 11am-1pm

Reg Class 2- This class will build on Reg 1 Class- and/or is appropriate for the player that is ready to move beyond holding long tones. Students can be guided including the tenor and/or bass regulator and progress to include playing on and off the beat. Different tunes types will be discussed. We will use the same tunes in this workshop as in Reg 1 class. Students registered for this class will get an audio file e-mailed to them as soon as they register containing the tunes that will be used in the workshop. This will give the student time to learn the basic tune so the focus of the session can be on the regs.
Sunday 2-3pm

This class is a great way to explore how to make the sounds and tones that are truly specific to the Uilleann Pipes- the tones that made you want to jump down the rabbit hole. Learn the techniques for bending, sliding, and broadening sounds from your chanter.
Sunday 11am-1pm

Caoimhin brings a wealth of “piping knowledge” in general- and specifically from his home county of Waterford, Ire. He will share his knowledge of piping technique and tunes from Waterford County. He will utilize both demonstration and teaching of tunes from the area of Ireland he calls home.
Sunday 11am-1pm

This workshop will focus on how to properly tune your chanter reed. Students will learn how to appropriately use an electronic tuner and develop a set method for tuning. The information will be grouped into:
(1) Those changes that are not permanent;
(2) Changes that will affect the entire reed and/or specific notes that in many cases will permanently alter the reed.
Sunday 2-3pm

“The Quality and Tone of each note is vital!!!"
This is one of the first lines in the NPU Instructors Manual. There has to be more to practice than just sitting in a room and playing the same tune over and over poorly!! This class will outline how to get the most out of you practice sessions with an emphasis on “the quality and tone of each note"
Sunday 2-3pm

$25.00/ea.
$

Private lessons with our Instructors

We will be offering 30-min Private Lessons with all of our instructors throughout the Tionol. The cost will be $40.00 per session paid to the instructor. This is a time for you to focus specifically on a problem you are having- or to learn a new technique. The session direction will be driven by the student.

  • We will have a list of available time slots when you check-in.
  • You will be allowed to sign-up for one slot at registration- first come first serve.
  • If all of the slots are not filled after the check-in, we will open up the other slots.
  • You will pay your instructor in cash at the time of the lesson. 
  • The location for the Private Lessons will be posted at the Tionol.

Instructors

Cillian Vallely is the uilleann pipes and low whistle player with the renowned Irish band Lunasa, described as “The hottest Celtic band on the planet” (Irish Voice).  In recent years, he has played and recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Natalie Merchant, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Tim O’Brien, and Riverdance in addition to recording as a guest on over 50 albums.  With Lunasa, he has performed at The Hollywood Bowl, Glastonbury Festival, Womad Aledaide, Edmonton Folk Festival in addition to multiple tours of Asia, Australia, US and Europe. 
“Vallely, whose family has played a seminal role in piping and Irish music in the north of Ireland for years, shows why he is one of the most respected pipers playing today”  Irish Voice

Ivan grew up playing Irish traditional music and has performed as soloist and with ensembles worldwide on uilleann pipes, Irish flute, and whistle. He has performed in various genres: theater, film, orchestra, electroacoustic, improv, jazz, and new music. Ivan has an MA in Computer Composition and Music Technology from Queens University, Belfast and an MA in Musicology from University College Dublin.

Guest instructor, Caoimhín Ó Fearghail, from NPU. Na Píobairí Uilleann (NPU), the Society of Uilleann Pipers was founded in 1968 when there were less than 100 uilleann pipers remaining. Today NPU is a thriving arts organisation dedicated to Sharing the Sound of Ireland through Access, Education, Performance and Preservation. 

Caoimhín Ó Fearghail was born in 1989 and comes from An Rinn in the Waterford Gaeltacht. He started to learn the tin-whistle at the age of eight, taking lessons from Bobby Gardiner. He quickly progressed to the uilleann pipes, under the tutelage of David Power. He is self-taught on flute and guitar inspired by such diverse flute players as Matt Molloy, Mike Rafferty and Tom Doorley. Some of his strongest piping influences include the old greats such as Séamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Leo Rowsome, Tommy Reck and Patsy Touhey. He cannot deny the big influence that Liam O’Flynn, Mick O’Brien and Waterford pipers Tommy Kearney, Jimmy O’Brien-Moran, Tommy Keane and Donnchadh Gough have had on him, and is very much influenced by the many other great musicians and singers of his home area in Co. Waterford.

Other Bits and Bobs

Tea/coffee/water available all day

Snacks and Lunch (Sat: Pizza or Salad, Sun: Sandwich or salad) are included but you are free to bring your own if you prefer! 

Free, accessible parking and restrooms on site

Check www.brimstunes.org/piping/tionol for site map, and additional travel information.

Participant Information

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