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Short courses for Uilleann Pipes and Smallpipes at the Littlefield Celtic Center
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The Celtic Arts Foundation is pleased to present the 14th Annual Autumn Workshop for Smallpipes and Uilleann Pipes for intermediate to advanced players. The legendary Fred Morrison will be teaching along with a wonderful guest smallpipes instructor, Rosalind Buda. We encourage students to register early, as space is limited! Regrettably, at this time we are only able to accept intermediate and advanced players.
We're very mindful of the benefits of having access to accomplished and experienced instructors and have designed the classes to allow participants to get the most out of this time with each other and the instructors. Small seminar sizes are a hallmark of the program, which further cultivates relationships between participants and the instructors.
This year the uilleann pipes class will be a two-day program, and the smallpipes program will be three days.
Wednesday, September 25th
- Uilleann Pipes workshop runs from 9am until 4pm with a 1 hour break for lunch.
Thursday, September 26th
- Uilleann Pipes workshop runs from 9am until 4pm with a 1 hour break for lunch.
Friday, September 27th
- Smallpipes workshop runs from 9am until 4pm with a 1 hour break for lunch.
- Ceilidh and dinner at the Littlefield Celtic Center beginning at 6pm.
Saturday, September 28th
- Smallpipes workshop runs from 9am until 3:30pm with a 1 hour break for lunch.
- Fred Morrison concert at 7pm.
Sunday, September 29th
- Smallpipes workshop runs from 9am until 12pm with a 1 hour break for lunch.
- Open session from 2pm-4pm
Wednesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 26th: Uilleann Pipes Workshop w/ Fred Morrison (does not include Saturday night concert ticket) = $185
The Wednesday and Thursday Uilleann Pipes Workshop includes two days of instruction only. Uilleann Pipes registrants enjoy the option of purchasing discounted tickets to the Saturday evening concert.
Friday, September 27th - Sunday, September 29th: Smallpipes Workshop w/ Fred Morrison and guest instructor Rosalind Buda (includes the Saturday night Fred concert ticket) = $285
The weekend Smallpipes workshop tuition includes instruction Friday through Sunday, dinner at the LCC on Friday, and a ticket to attend the Fred Morrison concert on Saturday evening, September 28th. Smallpipes registrants also enjoy the option of purchasing additional tickets to the concert at a discounted rate.
When registering, you have the option to attend the Wednesday-Thursday Uilleann Workshop or the Friday-Sunday Smallpipes Workshop. If you would like to attend both, please select both of these tickets.
Fred Morrison
A great musician AND storyteller! A living legend in the Celtic music world, Morrison’s music is firmly rooted in the tradition of the Hebridean islands of Scotland while also boldly exploring the technical and creative boundaries of Celtic music. He has developed a distinct and renowned signature sound in the piping community, and has won nearly all of the international prizes in the piping world. His exceptional talents and expressive style are immediately evident in his adventurous music. His performances feature mostly his own original compositions, and whether a haunting slow air or an incredibly difficult reel or jig played with breakneck speed and skilled precision, Fred’s mastery of his instruments is completely apparent!
Rosalind Buda
Rosalind Buda is a versatile and diverse performer and educator, playing and teaching music from Scottish smallpipes and Highland bagpipes to classical bassoon. Rosalind is passionate about teaching musicians of all ages, and her years of experience in both folk music and classical music give her a unique perspective and a multi-faceted, holistic approach to learning. Rosalind firmly believes that everyone can develop their own style, expand technique through new approaches, and find their greatest enjoyment in music-making at any stage in their learning. She is also an advocate for ergonomic playing and loves to help students make playing pain-free and easy. Rosalind brings her musically encouraging approach to her private students and to workshops around the country.As a performer, Rosalind freelances and tours regularly with the celtic/appalachian pipe and harp duo, The Reel Sisters, on smallpipes, whistles, and vocals. The Reel Sisters have toured from New Mexico to New York and revel in sharing traditional tunes and stories. In addition to her duo, Rosalind performs regularly as a multi-instrumentalist on bombarde, pipes, whistle, recorder, bassoon, as well as a singer, and reader with various ensembles including Houston-based Istanpitta Early Music Ensemble as well other bagpipe-centric bands. As a bassoonist, Rosalind is an avid performer of chamber music and orchestral music in the Southeast. Rosalind received her MM in bassoon performance from New England Conservatory.
Where to eat? Students have the option of pre-purchasing a boxed lunch including a generously sized deli sandwich, chips, cookie, and water bottle, or are welcome to visit one of the numerous restaurants within walking distance from the Littlefield Celtic Center during the lunch break. Our meals regularly feature meat, dairy, eggs, wheat, and other known allergens. If you have dietary restrictions or concerns, please contact us at least 10 days before the event so we may make special accommodations.
Where to stay? Workshop participants enjoy a discounted rate at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Burlington (about a ten minute drive from the Littlefield Celtic Center). Just mention the Celtic Arts Foundation when booking or click here.
Hampton Inn & Suites Burlington
1860 South Burlington Boulevard
Burlington, WA 98233
The Fred Morrison Scholarship
We are pleased to be able to offer the Joe Roberts Scholarship. The scholarship criteria have been finalized as follows:
The Fred Morrison Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship, recognizing players with outstanding performing ability and/or potential. We will evaluate your application based on your musicianship, participation in sessions and as a performer (either solo or as part of a group), mentoring and any teaching you do, participation in other CAF events, your history with piping, and, finally, how attending this workshop would affect your involvement in and further your piping ability for performances.
Click here to complete the Fred Morrison Scholarship Form
Students are encouraged to register now in order to hold their place in the workshop; any applicable reimbursement will be settled upon notice of the awarded scholarship. Applications close August 1st.
Fred Morrison was born and raised near Glasgow, but it’s the celebrated Gaelic piping tradition of his father’s native South Uist, in the outer Hebrides, that forms the bedrock of his intensely expressive, uniquely adventurous style. His outstanding technical prowess saw him winning many top competition prizes while still at school, meanwhile being inspired by pioneering acts like the Bothy Band and the Tannahill Weavers. Although his first-love instrument remains the great Highland bagpipes, over the years his mastery has expanded to encompass whistles, Scottish small pipes, or reel pipes – Morrison being a pivotal popularizer of this once-rare variety – and Irish uilleann pipes. He was also one of the first Scottish artists to forge dynamic links with his Celtic cousins in Brittany and north-west Spain, adding further to his repertoire of influences and tunes, and has long been renowned as an outstanding tune composer.
