Ceòlas Summer School

Sunday 2nd July to Friday 7th July 2023

Ceòlas looks forward to welcoming students to South Uist once more and to our new premises at Cnoc Soilleir.

The Ceòlas Summer School is on a mission to understand the natural rhythms which are inherent in the Gaelic language and to explore how these impact on the way tunes are played on pipes, fiddle and clarsach; how we sing Gaelic songs; and how we step dance percussively to the pulse of the music. Students are encouraged to immerse themselves in this understanding, not only in the classes but also at concerts, sessions and when visiting members of the community at a house cèilidh.

As usual students are asked to choose one main subject (the First Choice class) which has tuition twice each day. There is also a Second Choice class which is taught once each day. The classes in Reels and Quadrilles and Seanchas are only taught as a second choice class. There are Gaelic for All sessions each day and available at a range of levels. To finish each day students are mixed together, and guided rather than taught by the tutors, are challenged to create a short set of music, song and dance which can be performed on the final day of the Summer School.

Summer School Classes 2023:

Step-dance

Percussive dance style common at the Cape Breton cèilidhs, and now firmly reintroduced in Scotland through Ceòlas and other events […]

Read more >

Gaelic language

Gaelic language from native speakers at levels ranging from improvers and intermediate to advanced. These classes will cover various areas […]

Read more >

Song

Learn Gaelic song forms from a range of traditions, styles and registers, from lullabies to puirt-à-beul to waulking songs! Tutors: […]

Read more >

Piping

Youth Piping  (first & second choice) Morning, afternoon or all-day tuition for 14-17 year olds; general piping tuition working towards […]

Read more >

Clàrsach

Learn both lead and accompaniment styles in clàrsach, a newer addition to many traditional music circles. Tutor: Ingrid Henderson

Read more >

Fiddle

West Coast and Cape Breton fiddle styles for youth (14-17 year olds), beginner, intermediate and advanced players, concentrating on social […]

Read more >

Reels & Quadrilles

Community-style dancing, learning the full-breadth of social dancing at cèilidhs. Learn local variations and styles in a fun social dancing […]

Read more >

Piping for Dancing

Playing for dancers is a skill in its own right, where the musician has to keep a strong, even tempo […]

Read more >