State of the union

Regular readers of this column might recall an item a couple of issues back about the formation of the new Musicians Union of Ireland. Now bouzouki player Niall Ó Callanáin has announced his intention of organising an open day for musicians interested in forming a Traditional Musicians Section of the MUI. “There are many issues which are unique to traditional musicians which need to be addressed, mostly to do with pay and working conditions,” Ó Callanáin points out.

Formed less than two months ago, the MUI already represents more than 160 musicians, among them members of the National Symphony Orchestra, the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and scores of freelance professional musicians, the majority of whom enrolled in recent weeks. MUI members are eligible to benefit from SIPTU’s financial services and discounts on travel insurance and other products, and can also participate in trade union courses covering such issues as health & safety and pensions.

The date for the initial meeting hadn’t yet been set at press time; for further information, e-mail Niall at [email protected], or contact the MUI on (01) 858 6404 or at [email protected].

Congratulations to John Spillane on winning Best Folk/Traditional Act at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. Despite tough competition from the likes of Altan, The Chieftains, Kíla, Christy Moore and Sinead O’Connor (who performed live on the night), Spillane took the top award, telling the crowd in his acceptance speech at the Point Depot that, “This must be what strong drugs are like.” Each to his own, I guess. Also honoured was Phil Coulter, who picked up a special industry award for his long musical career.

Coming up on 25-27 April is Crosbhealach an Cheoil – The Crossroads Conference 2003, at the Magee Campus of the University of Ulster, Derry. Following on from the 1996 Crossroads Conference on ‘Tradition and Change’, the event will focus on the theme of Education in Traditional Music. “Some people argue that traditional music should not be formally taught,” writes Fintan Vallely, Secretary of the Academy for Irish Cultural Heritages at the University of Ulster and one of the conference’s principal organisers. “Others hold that by entering the state education structures it risks becoming strait-jacketed and could lose its support constituency and appeal. Yet more believe that if it is not given state backing at all education levels, then it could be marginalised in arts funding and support, and be swamped by changing tides of popular music tastes.”

Keynote speakers include the University of Chicago’s Philip Bohlman, author of Folk Music in the Modern World, and Caomhín Mac Aoidh, fiddle teaching pioneer and author of Between the Jigs and the Reels. Also presenting papers will be Séamus MacMathuna and Siobhán Ní Chonaráin of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Jo Miller (Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dance, Glasgow), Alistair Anderson, (Newcastle on Tyne University), Tom Munnelly (Department of Folklore, University College Dublin), Frank Claudy, Seán Corcoran, Mick Coyne, Matt Cranitch, Janet Harbison, Mel Mercier, John Moulden, Conall Ó Gráda, Jimmy O’Brien Moran and others too numerous to mention. Among those chairing sessions are Nicholas Carolan of the Irish Traditional Music Archive, Liz Doherty, Desi Wilkinson, Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin and of course Vallely himself.

If you’ve picked this magazine up within a few days after it hits the newsstands, you might still be in with a chance to take advantage of the 30% early bird discount for those registering by 30 March; otherwise, you’ll be paying 50 euro/Stg £33 (40% reduction for students with ID) – which is still pretty good value, considering that it includes the opening reception, coffee breaks, lunch on Saturday, an evening performance, and of course admission to all workshops and presentations. For more information, write to Cros2003, AICH, Aberfoyle House, Northland Road, Derry, BT48 0JA, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.cros2003.com.

A couple of weeks back, octogenarian singer Jimmy Murray launched his new CD The West’s Awake at Murray’s Lounge in the village of Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. Born on 5 May 1917, Murray was a great footballer in his day, taking Roscommon to All-Ireland victories in 1943 and 1944; he still holds the record for being the only man to lead his team onto Croke Park on All-Ireland day on five occasions. More recently, he’s been a stalwart of the South Roscommon Singers’ Circle, which holds its meetings at Jimmy’s pub.

The album was recorded live in the pub over two cold Wednesday nights last November, and was initially intended for distribution only among family and close friends. However, interest in the CD has been such that Murray decided to release it for sale. Proceeds will be donated to the Lean ar Aghaidh Resource Centre for children with special needs in Roscommon Town; for more info, ring (0903) 22827.

The same night saw a traditional Scottish evening take place at the Old Mill near Naas, Co. Kildare, to raise funds for new school buildings at the Kildare Waldorf school, a non-denominational inclusive school for children aged 3-12 years.

A group of musicians from Scotland travelled to Ireland for the event, including Perthshire’s Tony Stewart (who hosted the evening), piper and bagpipe maker Ian MacGregor, fiddlers Stefan and Saskia Tomkins, and bodhrán player and tutor author Steafan Hannigan. Those didn’t make it and would like to help support the school’s work can ring (085) 603 3592 or (045) 879716.

Glaswegian fiddler John McCusker (whose new album Goodnight Ginger was reviewed in this magazine earlier this year) was in town for the Dublin Film Festival screening of Heartlands – a new Miramax film directed by Damien O’Donnell, with a score by McCusker, plus songs from his better half Kate Rusby. Both Kate and John appear in the film, playing themselves in a folk club scene. It’s due for nationwide release, along with a soundtrack album, on May 9.

Ever the busy boy, McCusker also plays on a soon-to-be-released Eddi Reader CD featuring the songs of Robert Burns. Other musicians appearing on it include Phil Cunningham, Ian Carr and Boo Hewardine. Eddi will be touring the album in May/June.

Piper Neillidh Ó Maolagáin has also been in the studio again, recording an album that he expects will be out by the summer. He was down at the Doran piping weekend recently, where he ran into Micky Doran – whom he last met at the funeral of Doran’s father, the piper Felix Doran, back in 1972. “He was a fabulous piper then as a 13-year-old,” says Neillidh. “At the weekend in Glendalough I played with Micky and his 13-year-old son, who’s now playing great – regulators and all. He too is called Micky Doran. A musical star of the future!” Further info on Neillidh and his doings can be found on www.neilmulligan.com.

Musicians and singers with news to share can e-mail Sarah on [email protected]