The Toronto Traditional Irish Music School



It's that time of year again, and with September quickly approaching, the Toronto Traditional Irish Music School (TTIMS) is preparing for what is bound to be a most exciting year for musical education.

With the success of our inaugural season Fall 2009 / Winter 2010, we are eager and excited to see what the Fall 2010 / Winter 2011 season will bring.

The TTIMS is here to provide an affordable avenue for those to explore the allure that Irish music has to offer, allowing our cherished music tradition to be passed along to the next generations.

With the help of passionate and dedicated teachers, the music is taught within the comfort of small groups, with a relaxed attitude and pleasant environment.

We are grateful that the Emerald Isle Seniors Centre has allowed us to offer our classes in their venue once again, located at the North-east corner of Danforth and Greenwood Ave., from 6: 00 pm - 9: 00 pm, on Monday nights.

Course Offerings
The following courses will be available for Fall 2010:

Fiddle
Irish Fiddle for Kids (with parent option)
- with Patrick Ourceau (no experience necessary)
6: 00 pm - 6: 45 pm

This class introduces the students to the fundamentals of playing the fiddle within the context of traditional Irish music. The class will focus on instrument and bow hold, tone development and intonation and the learning of some simple basic tunes in the tradition. Patrick will teach this class by ear and will make the tunes available in a simple music notation format. Parents of students are also encouraged to bring along some form of recording device. This class is intended for children ages 7 - 13. Parents may choose to attend this class, and learn along with with their children at an additional fee.

Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 120 for the 10 week session ($ 12 /per lesson/per person).


Beginner Irish Fiddle
- with Patrick Ourceau (no experience necessary)
7: 00 pm - 8: 00 pm

This class introduces the students to the fundamentals of playing the fiddle within the context of traditional Irish music. The class will focus on instrument and bow hold, tone development and intonation. It will also introduce students to phrasing and bowing patterns used in both jigs and reels. During this class, the basics of bow and left hand ornamentation will be introduced as well. Patrick teaches by ear and strongly recommends students to bring along some type of recording device. Sheet music will be made available if needed.ÊThis class is intended for adults ( 14+).Ê Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 250 for the 10 week session ($ 25/per lesson).ÊStudents at the Celtic Studies program, University of Toronto, can take these classes at a discounted rate of $ 150 for the 10 week session ($ 15/ per lesson).


Intermediate Irish Fiddle
- with Patrick Ourceau (some experience or beginner Irish fiddle)
8: 00 pm - 9: 00 pm

This class is for students who have already taken the beginner class and for students already having a basic knowledge of the instrument and of the music. This class will focus on phrasing and bowing patterns typical to Irish fiddle music as well as more detailed work on bow and left hand ornamentation. Other technical aspects will be covered during the class based on the levels and need of students. They include constructive suggestions on holding the instrument, tips on developing or improving tone and on how to practice more efficiently.

Through listening to various archival recordings of the music, students will be exposed to various styles of Irish fiddle playing. Students will also be exposed to the notions of interpretation , expression and melodic integrity in the music. Patrick teaches by ear and strongly recommends students to bring along some type of recording device. Sheet music will be made available if needed. This class is intended for adults ( 14+).

Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 250 for the 10 week session ($ 25/per lesson). Students at the Celtic Studies program, University of Toronto, can take these classes at a discounted rate of $ 150 for the 10 week session ($ 15/ per lesson).


Tin Whistle Irish Tin whistle for kids (with parent option)
- with Debbie Quigley (no experience necessary)
6: 00 pm - 6: 45 pm

This class is intended for children ages 7 - 13, and introduces the technical aspects of the instrument (fingering, breathing, ornamentation, phrasing) while learning to play by ear or sheet music. This will be done through music of the instructor's choice. Parents may choose to attend this class, and learn along with with their children at an additional fee.

Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 120 for the 10 week session ($ 12/per lesson/per person).


Beginner Irish Tin whistle
- with Debbie Quigley (no experience necessary)
7: 00 pm - 8: 00 pm

This class introduces the technical aspects of the instrument (fingering, breathing, ornamentation, phrasing) while learning to play by ear or sheet music. This will be done through music of the instructor' choice.

Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 250 for the 10 week session ( $ 25/per lesson).

Intermediate Irish Tin whistle
- with Debbie Quigley (some experience or Beginner Irish Tin whistle)
8: 00 pm - 9: 00 pm

This class will focus on a deeper exploration of the stylistic elements of the tin whistle. Studying the technique of recorded masters, session tunes, flow and tempo of the music and slow aire playing, will provide further understanding of whistle ornamentation (cuts, rolls, cranns, etc.), and breathing techniques.

Classes will be running for 10 weeks, from September 13th to November 22nd (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The cost is $ 250 for the 10 week session ($ 25/per lesson).Ê


For more information regarding the teachers, pleaseÊsee bios below.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email at TTIMS7@gmail.com or you may call Norita Fleming at 905.881.5012.


Teacher Bios
Patrick Ourceau, Fiddle
Patrick Ourceau is one of the finest fiddle players in Irish music today. He has been performing and teaching worldwide, from the White House in Washington D.C., to Moscow, Russia. Patrick is featured on a host of recordings including The Singing Kettle with the Trio Chulrua and Live at Mona's, a critically acclaimed live recording of the session Patrick led for ten years while living in NYC.

Patrick has been on the teaching staff for over ten years at the legendary Catskills Irish Arts week summer school in East Durham, NY and at the Goderich Celtic College. Patrick regularly teaches at the Friday Harbor Irish Music camp in San Juan Island, Washington, at Augusta Irish Week in Elkins, West Virginia and at the East Coast Tionol in East Durham, NY. Patrick has also taught at the Alaska Fiddle Camp in Chugiak, Alaska, at the St. Louis Tionol in St, Louis, Missouri, at O'Flaherty's retreat in Dallas, Texas, at the Armagh Piper's Club in Northern Ireland and at the Fleadh Nua in Ennis, Co, Clare, Ireland.

Now in Living in Toronto, Patrick is also in great demand as a teacher, both privately and at various festivals and schools. He has been teaching for the past several years at the Chris Langan Weekend and at the St. Paul School of Irish Music.

For more information visit Patrick's website, http://www.patrickourceau.com We are delighted to have Patrick as our resident Fiddle teacher at the Toronto Traditional Irish Music School.

Debbie Quigley, Tin Whistle
Deb Quigley was born in Newtownards, County Down and lived during the early 70s in the town of Bangor where she was first introduced to the native music of Ireland.

Chris (Charlie) Ferguson, whistle and flute player also from Bangor, was a huge influence on her music during her formative years. During the late 80s she was once again inspired musically by the playing and teaching of the late Chris Langan, uillean piper, instrument maker, and music teacher originally from Rush, County Dublin, who lived for many years in Toronto. Deb credits much of her music to the patient and informative teaching style of her mentor and friend.

Deb Quigley is herself a skilled and patient teacher who teaches both privately at her home in Toronto as well as Irish music festivals across North America. She is also a teacher with the St. Paul's school of Irish Music in Toronto and has several whistle students who are introduced to the music in a patient, and encouraging way which has resulted in a positive, inspiring, and creative experience forÊher students.

Deb Quigley's music continues to be much in demand for recordings, weddings, sessions, and concert performances. She has recorded with several artists and in 2004 produced her own CD with guitarist Martin Gould. In 2007 she was a featured performer at the Gala concert at Roy Thomson Hall to celebrate the opening of Ireland Park by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

We are delighted to have Debbie as our resident Tin whistle teacher at theÊ Toronto Traditional Irish Music School.


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