Comhaltas Ceóltoiri Éireann

Tom Finucane Branch

Rochester, New York

Lúil

agus

Lúnasa

2015

In This Issue:

House Concert

1-3

CCE gets Citizen Prize

3

Grand Cru session #2

3

Fleadh Winners

4

Remembering Frank & George

5-6

Local Events 7

IACI Events 8

Officers, Membership

9

Local Sessions

10

Newsletter

July/Auguste 2015

An organization dedicated to the advancement of

traditional Irish music, language, dance and

culture

Branch website: www.irishrochester.com Facebook: rochester irish musicians association

Antoin Mac Gabhann

HOUSE CONCERT at the First Baptist Church of Fairport

Thursday, July 30th at 7:30 PM

First Baptist Church of Fairport 92 S Main St, Fairport, NY 14450

Tickets $10 (also asking for a small donation to

the church for sharing their space)

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 2

Aside from being an enormously important fiddle player, Antoin is almost better known these days as a teacher. A very active member in his musical community, he has taught many of the more well known fiddlers who have gone on to play great music, such as Paul O'Shaughnessy (formerly of Altan and Beginish), Tom Morrow (of Dervish), Felim (RIP) and MacDara O'Raghallaigh (Micheal O'Raghallaigh's brothers), and dozens of others.

We’re very lucky that Irish fiddle master Antoin MacGabhann (aka Tony Smith) will be making a solo appearance in Rochester during his trip in July. There are good fiddle-players, there are great fiddle-players, and there are fiddle masters. Antoin Mac Gabhann is a fiddle master by anybody's definition. The great traditional music announcer of the last century, Seamus MacMathuna, described him very well: “The essential thing about Tony's music is that it is pure music for the love of it…. His commitment is to Irish traditional music, played with feeling and integrity, letting the tune be heard complete with grace notes and traditional artistry. His style is more personal than belonging to any particular region and his playing with its distinctive warmth of tone and steady tempo is easily and immediately recognised. “It is scarcely necessary to add that Antoin, in his years in the competitive arena during the early 70's took every honour going, including the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle title, the Fiddler of Dooney title and the Oireachtas Fiddle Trophy...”

For more information http://comhaltas.ie/music/treoir/detail/antoin_mac_gabhann_the_master_musician_of_mullahoran

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 3

COMHALTAS – The Living Tradition – award from Europe “It was a gala occasion at Brú Ború, in the shadow of the ancient Rock of

Cashel, when Comhaltas was presented with the prestigious European Citizen’s Prize. There was another milestone in the eventful journey of Comhaltas from small beginnings in 1951 to its world status today.” (Treoir, Uimhhir 1 2015)

The European Citizen’s Prize Since 2008 the European Parliament awards the European Citizen’s Prize every year to

projects and initiatives that facilitate cross-border cooperation or promote mutual

understanding within the EU. The prize is also intended to acknowledge the work of those

who through their day-to-day activities promote European values.

Videos of Antoin MacGabhann: http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_425_8_frank_kelly_antoin_mac_gabhann/

ComhaltasLive #425-8: Frank Kelly & Antóin Mac Gabhann: All-Ireland Champions from the

1970s, Frank Kelly (Donegal) and Antóin Mac Gabhann (Cavan) together play three reels - “Tom Ward’s Downfall”, “Reel of Mullinavat” and “Queen of May” as a session at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2013 in Derry.

See also, Antoin plays Paddy Ryan’s Dream and “Mama’s Pet” at Mullahoran Concert in Cavan. 2007 http://comhaltas.ie/music/detail/comhaltaslive_202_1_anton_mac_gabhann/

Antoin Mac Gabhann and Frank Kelly at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Sligo, 2014 (from Treoir, Uimhir 3, 2014)

Second Grand Cru Chocolate Session – June 27, 2015

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 4

Mid-Atlantic Fleadh Competition At the Fleadh Cheoil 2015, Parsippany, NJ

Congratulations to local musicians

Jayne Pomplas, age 15-18 First Place, fiddle

John M. Ryan, age 18 and over Second place button accordion First place, Melodeon First place, Lilting

Bram Pomplas, age under 12 Third place, fiddle First place, bodhran Second place, fiddle, slow airs

Bram playing fiddle

Jayne with her trophy

Bram celebrates with friends

Jayne’s debut album: Traditional Irish Music on fiddle: http://tradconnect.com/m/blogpost?id=6391199%3ABlogPost%3A185364 Available via cdbaby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jaynepomplas

John Michael Ryan JMR

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 5

Two Comhaltas Hall of Fame Musicians Remembered by Ted McGraw

Frank Murphy: Frank came from Westport, Co. Mayo and started with music on the harmonica when he was only about 7 so he could go ‘out on the Wren’ with a group to the neighboring farmers houses. At about 12 years, he started playing the fiddle, and a short time later took up the accordion. The accordion was loud enough not to be drowned out in the noisy house parties. He eventually joined a local band and started playing for dances in the local halls. He came to relatives in Rochester in 1949 and started playing at ‘Kelly’s Irish Village’ on State St., a place where Jack O’Keefe, Paddy Ryan and Elma Hassett played. By the time I met Frank in the mid-’50’s, the Irish Village was gone and he was playing at the AOH Club on Alexander St. every Sat. with Neville O’Connor, a banjo player from Tipperary. For big events, they added Al Dungen, a piano player. A couple of us from Fisher College were invited to Frank’s house on Fri. nights to learn tunes and play with Frank. I called these private sessions ‘informal lessons’ and they were invaluable to me, a rank beginner. Every 3 weeks, Frank’s friends held an invitation only house party. It moved around between about 5 houses. These parties were absolutely fantastic and my first experience with the real Irish folk culture! Frank joined us in the Blackthorn Ceilidh Band in the early ’80’s. We played for concerts, dances, parties in all kinds of venues across upstate NY. Frank also used to come to our early jam sessions in the 1970’s at the Friendship Tavern on Lake Ave. Frank was a wonderful musician; there was so much life & lift to his music, and he was always ready to share a tune.

George Walker: George came from Rooskagh Hill, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick in 1949 when he was 22 years old. He started playing fiddle at age 15 with lessons from Paddy Ahern and after a couple of years put up a platform at the crossroads where he and his brother Johnny played for country dances. When he came here he started playing for dances in the basement of the French Church (Our Lady of Victory) on Pleasant St. These dances were organized by the Rochester Harps Club of the Gaelic Athletic Association. When Jim Finucane came here in 1956, he joined George’s band. The Harps bought their own clubhouse in 1959, so that became the center for Irish music and dances until the mid 1970’s when the club burned down. Not long after the club opened, George took up the sax, and he also played banjo and bodhran. George, with Jim on accordion, and John Parks on drums (Ray Lawrence eventually replaced John on drums) were THE Irish band in upstate NY for those 2.5 decades. Besides the Club, they played for parties, weddings, and for the banquets and dances after all the football and hurling matches in Rochester and Syracuse. There was a rumor, never confirmed by George, that he knew every tune in O’Neill’s book when he came out here!

NOTE: a special event to commemorate George, Frank and Liam Magee on a Saturday in late July or August is anticipated. Watch your email for details.

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 6

George Walker & Marty O’Keefe at McGraw’s Irish Pub

George Walker

George Walker

Stephanie, Lynn and George

Frank Murphy at the Hall of Fame induction in Albany, NY.

Blackthorn Ceilidh Band with Frank

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 7

Music club activities

Tullamore Celtic Band Traditional Acoustic Songs and Tunes

Terry O'Toole, Vocals, Guitar, Concertina, Whistle

Dick Bolt, Vocals, Fiddle, Guitar

Brian Coughlin, Vocals, Flute, Whistles, Tuba

Moonlight Strolls Concert with Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance

Friday July 10, 8 -10 pm Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion

State Historic Park, 151 Charlotte Street, Canandaigua, NY 14424 Snacks, Soft Drinks, Wine, Beer Available; Bring a Lawn Chair For more information please contact dick@tullamorecelticband.com For our music, free samples, CDs and digital sales contact www.cdbaby.com/artist/tullamorecelticband

Button Box Club, 10:00 am – 12:00 – recess until August, 2015

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

July 11 Flute and Whistle Club, 10:00 am – 11:00

Sets for Sessions Practice: 11 am- 12

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

July 18 Fiddle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

August 1 Button Box Club, 10:00 am – 12:00 (probably at Scott’s house)

(watch your email for details and confirmation)

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

August 8 Flute and Whistle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

August 15 Fiddle Club, 10:00 am – 12:00

Pittsford Recreation Center, 35 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsford, NY

Photos from Sunday session at Sheridan’s by Shawn Casey

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 8

Irish American Cultural Institute, Rochester, NY

Space is available for paid advertisements and classifieds.

For information, please contact Jean Smith: jeanjesserersmith@rochester.rr.com

PILAROSCIA AGENCY General Insurance

Property, Casualty, Personal, Commercial Phone: 585-381-2605

2509 Browncroft Blvd., Rochester, NY 14625

IACI 2015-2016 Film Feis October 4 Barry Lyndon November 1 Pavee Lackeen, The Traveller Girl January 3 December Bride February 7 Secret of Kells March 6 The Boxer April 3 Veronica Guerin McGinnity’s, Sundays, 4-7 pm Except February 7th, (Superbowl) film show time is 2-5 pm.

Sunday session at Sheridan’s Photo: Shawn Casey

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 9

Irish music on the radio with Ted & John

McGraw:

Ol' Fiddler Show WRUR 88.5 FM Sundays 12:00-1pm

Irish Party House WRUR 88.5 FM Sundays 1pm-2pm

Branch Officers - 2015 Cathoirleach (Chair) Jean Smith Leas-Cathoirleach (Vice Chair) John Ryan Runai (Secretary) Bill Hallahan Cisteoir (Treasurer) Lynn Pilaroscia Michoir (Auditor) Shawn Casey Youth Officers

Marta Driscoll

Programs Music Events Cathy McGrath Ted McGraw John Ryan Ceili Dancing Arlene Miller Membership Bill Hallahan Singers’ Session Becky Farrell Ferrigno Music Learner’s Session Mark Ballard Website Marta Driscoll Newsletter Bill Hallahan Music Instrument Library Mark Gowman Concerts & Festivals Dave Halligan John Ryan

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann MEMBERSHIP AND DUES for 2015

Dues: First Adult $25.00 Second Adult $ 8.00 Family $40.00 Junior $ 4.00 Please make your check payable to: CCE Mail to: Comhaltas

6658 North Avon Road Honeoye Falls, NY 14472

Look for us on Facebook:

Rochester Irish Musician’s Association

Join Comhaltas and support Irish music.and culture.

Check your membership card for expiration date. If you have ideas or articles or announcements or photos to include in this

newsletter, please send them to Bill Hallahan at whallah3@naz.edu.

There will be regular Comhaltas Branch Meetings on the last Sunday of every month at Johnny’s at 4:30 – 5:00 pm for members to contribute ideas and learn how to support upcoming activities.

Comhaltas Rochester July/August 2015 Page 10

Comhaltas-Sponsored Music Sessions, Dancing, Singing 1st Sundays of every month: The American Hotel

4:00 pm 7304 E. Main Street, Lima, NY

2rd Friday of every month: 8:00 pm CCE music session Now at Jo’s Place, 1768 E Main St. Last Sunday of every month: 3:00 pm Music Learning Session Johnny's Irish Pub 4:00 pm Singer Session with Jean & Becky 4:30-5:00 Comhaltas branch meetings 1342 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 5:00 pm Regular session Set Dancing Every Wednesday: McGinnity's Bar & Restaurant 7:30 pm 534 West Ridge Road

No experience, no partner necessary. Instructors: Arlene Miller (585) 663-4438 and Matt Ruf. James Coughlin, caller.

OTHER TRADITIONAL IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC SESSIONS Every Monday: Colie’s Café, Nazareth College campus

Leader: Jane Sturmer

6:00 pm waltz session

7:00-9:00 pm: jigs, reels, etc. same tune set each week (mostly)

Ben’s website for the Monday session:

https://sites.google.com/site/rocnyslowsession/

Every Tuesday:

7:00 pm (study session) Charlotte Tavern, 2 River Road & Lake Ave.

Every Saturday: Barry’s Old School Irish, Webster.

2:00-5:30 pm. Leader: John Ryan

Every Sunday:

2:007:00 pm. Leader: Bill Henrie.

Sheridan's Pub 1551 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester.

Every other Monday: Kelly's in Geneseo, 8 pm.

Leader: Jim Kimball & Geneseo String Band

First Wednesdays: 7:00 pm Scottish Sessions at Sheridan’s

Thursdays

Begins at 7:30 pm. Duffy’s Irish Pub,

100 West Main Street, Avon, NY (RR station at the tracks).

Leaders: Bill Henrie & Adrienne Maher