Concert & Workshops with Brian Conway (Fiddle) & Don Penzien (Guitar)

Brian Conway & Don Penzien

Fiddle & Guitar

Saturday, December 2nd 7:00 p.m.

$15

House Concert in Earlysville (minutes from Charlottesville, address will be provided once ticket is purchased)

Brian Conway New York born fiddler Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the highly ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All-Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian’s early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.

Don Penzien has long been a top-flight performer of traditional Irish music. He frequently tours nationally playing concerts and festivals with The Máirtín de Cógáin Project, The John Whelan Band, Legacy, Captain Mackey’s Goatskin and String Band, and now with Gailfean. Don’s dexterous work on DADGAD guitar provides solid, driving rhythms to traditional tunes as well as perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs. When called upon, he also adds whistle, bodhran and vocals to arrangements.

WORKSHOPS during the day beforehand 

Saturday Dec 2nd 3:00-5:00 pm

$40

Brian Conway Fiddle Workshop

Intermediate and Advanced

Class will focus on the relationship between bowing, phrasing and ornamentation in traditional Irish fiddling. Repertoire will consist of traditional tunes rather than on recent compositions, with a particular focus on classic tunes which the workshop participants can later play at sessions.

Don Penzien Guitar Workshop Guitar Accompaniment for Irish/Celtic Music with a focus on DADGAD tuning

Beginning/Intermediate Level

2 elements to the class: a) overview of DADGAD tuning--advantages and opportunities, and b) accompanying Irish/Celtic tunes and songs in "traditional" style (regardless of tuning). Depending on experience level and interests of attendees, we can address: chord shapes, moveable chords and chord progressions, keys/modes, strumming patterns (jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc.), capo use, finding/enhancing the rhythm of a tune, accompaniment approaches depending on setting (e.g., tune sessions vs. playing for dancers vs. stage performances), and/or accompaniment session etiquette.