The School
Our mission:
The Irish Music School of Chicago is a 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2003 to pass on the vital, exciting tradition of Irish music to a new generation of students.
A living musical community
Following the vision of director and founder Sean Cleland, the Irish Music School of Chicago teaches the traditional way: as a collaboration among local Irish musicians, teachers, students and the community itself.
"Our students learn almost entirely by ear," explains Cleland, an acclaimed fiddler and performing artist. "We not only teach students the tunes and the stories behind the tunes, but also to appreciate being part of a living musical community that values its senior members and is much larger than any individual."
Our students have fun with Irish music and make friends wherever they go. They acquire creative and social outlets for their energies that will last them a lifetime.
When they eventually leave us, they've learned how to play in front of audiences, played for hours at sessions, learned how to play for dancers and helped others learn to play. They can arrange themselves into groups, decide which tunes to play, and then figure out and memorize their own accompaniment parts and arrangements. Many can do these things on multiple instruments."
Awards and recognition:
Irish Music School of Chicago students have won many top honors in both group and individual competitions across many age categories at the 2005-2009 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil (pronounced "flah kee-ol"), the prestigious traditional Irish music competition held each May in a different major Midwestern city. In each of these years they qualified to compete in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (the World Championship of Irish Music) held in Ireland every August.
Congratulations to our 3 Grúpaí Ceoil for their hard work and successes at the 2009 Midwest Fleadh Cheoil!
*Our Under 12 Grúpaí Ceoil came in 1st place!
*Our 12-15 Grúpaí Ceoil came in 2nd!
and for the 5th year in a row...
*Our 15-18 Grúpaí Ceoil took 1st!
Irish Music School students have competed in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in 2006 and in 2008. In 2008 our Aishling Cheoil 15-18 team won 2nd place at the 2008 Fleadh in Tullamore.
The school gives lessons on many different instruments for all skill levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. These include: fiddle, flute, tin whistle, bodhran, concertina, accordion, singing, harp, banjo and guitar, as well as other accompanimental instruments. We also offer adult-specific classes. Lessons occur at various locations throughout the greater Chicagoland including Chief O'Neill's Pub and St. Tarcissus School on the Northwest side of Chicago and Gaelic Park on the South Side.
