A little background info....
Where the heck is Columbia MO?
Click for a detailed Missouri mapColumbia is located in the middle of Missouri, about halfway between St. Louis and Kansas City with a year-round population of about 90,000. It's the home of the main campus of the University of Missouri, plus two other colleges: Columbia College and Stephens College, so there is a large student population that contributes to a very diverse and international community. At the bottom of the page you'll find some links to web sites for community organizations and businesses.
Celtic Arts in Central Missouri
For the last 3 years we've had a Summer Arts program which has included language and/or music classes taught by Irish guest instructors. We're a small but growing organization, not affiliated with Comhaltas, but following much the same principles. We try to incorporate more than just Irish music and arts, presenting concerts by Scottish musicians as well, but the local interest has predominantly been for Irish music, and that's what we've found to be the most sustainable.
In the summer of 2002, Marie McLean, a piper from Antrim was our artist-in-residence, teaching whistle, pipes and Irish language. In 2003 Deirdre Harnedy and Helen Gubbins, both UCC students, came for the summer to teach whistle, flute, accordion, accompaniment (for piano and guitar), learning music by ear, and Irish language. We increased our summer program by offering a week long "day camp" for young children and teens that was very successful (24 students in total). In addition to music and language, it included set and step dance taught by local instructors. In addition, Helen and Deirdre taught weekly classes for adults and youth and performed at various local venues.
There is a regular session on Thursday nights with a core group of about 12 musicians who have been playing Irish music for many years. There is also a "slow jam" beginners session on Wednesday nights and some of the folks from that group are looking to move on into a medium-level session group with facilitation from more experienced players.
For summer 2004, we plan to repeat and enhance the kids Celtic Arts Camp, hold weekly classes and have regular ceilis. We're also working with other community organizations to have one-time classes for children through their existing summer programs.
Please have a look around our web site to see more of what we do. www.moceltic.org
What's the benefit for you as an artist-in-residence?
Besides the obvious direct benefits of paid travel, etc., you will gain experience teaching adults and children, organizing classes and music events, have opportunities to perform, organize gigs for yourself, and build contacts and references for your future endeavors. Sound like a load of shite? well it's not, but here's the bit you're looking for: warm weather, lots of sunshine (we promise you'll go home with a nice tan), very little rain, canoeing on Missouri's excellent rivers, go to Milwaukee Irish Fest in August, drink root beer and Dr. Pepper, get to know the "other side" of the USA -- if you've been to New York or Boston, you're in for something different. The midwest is slower paced, welcoming and, well... rural.Deirdre Harnedy and Helen Gubbins liked being here well enough last summer that they decided to take a year off from UCC and stay to teach in Columbia for the year. We've had some difficulty getting a visa for Helen, but Deirdre (dual citizenship) has been here since June of 2003 and will stay until June 25 2004. Helen is returning for March and April 2004 to teach. If you would like a first hand account from either of them, please contact them directly.
Deirdre Harnedy: e-mail: fluter_d AT hotmail.com
Helen Gubbins: e-mail: helen.gubbins AT hotmail.comIf you have more questions about our summer arts program that haven't been answered, you can contact Kate Akers, acticities coordinator and board president. kakers@chivalry.com phone: +1 573-442-2048
Some Columbia info:
www.gocolumbiamo.com Columbia Visitors Bureau
www.showmenews.com Columbia Tribune newspaper
www.discoverthedistrict.com Columbia Downtown Business District
www.kopn.org KOPN Community-owned radio station in Columbia MO (always looking for volunteers, and will give board-operater training
www.missouri.edu University of Missouri - Columbia
mmtd.missouri.org Mid-Missouri Traditional Dancers
http://www.columbiamo.net/ Columbia MO general info
