Competitions & Exams

Music Teaching

Rosaire Cagney, originally from Co.Limerick, is head teacher of Ballinspittle Comhaltas. She is a fiddle player herself and has the unique ability of being able to teach a multitude of instruments. Her love of traditional Irish music is evident and we are lucky to have her, and her enthusiasm for teaching, leading our branch.


Rosaires approach to teaching music is in a group environment, where she encourages learning through ear, rather than focusing on reading music. Most of her students start on tin whistle and from there they progress to a new instrument on which Rosaire offers guidance.

Competitions

FLEADH CHEOIL

Fleadh Cheoil na h- Éireann is Ireland's largest festival and competition celebrating traditional Irish music, song, dance and culture, organised by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It takes place in a different host town or city (or the same host for multiple years) and typically lasts about a week in August.

Cork County Fleadh takes place in April and the Munster Fleadh in July. Dates and locations of these events are different every year. Ballinspittle Comhaltas enthusiastically participate in the competitions at the county Fleadh and, if successful, progress to the Munster Fleadh. Success at the Munster Fleadh secures qualification to the All Ireland Fleadh

Ballinspittle Comhaltas compete in the following categories -
Grúpa Cheoil (20 members)
Ceilí band (10 members)
Solo competitions
Duets (2 musicians playing together)
Trios (3 musicians playing together)

CEOIL AN GEIMHRIDH

Ceoil an Geimhridh is a winter music competition that is confined to Cork County with progression to Munster Ceoil an Geimhridh if successful. There is no All Ireland competition. It typically takes place in early January.

Competitions for Grúpa Cheoil, Ceilí band, solos, duets and quartet (4 musicians playing together)

Age groups here are Under 11, Under 14

FÉILE CHEOIL

There are several Féile Cheoils throughout the year. Ballinspittle Comhaltas encourage our younger members to participate in these relaxed, informal competitions to gain confidence in preparing and performing in front of judges.
In recent years Ballinspittle Comhaltas have organised their own Féile Cheoil which has been hugely successful and attended by our younger branch members and young musicians from other branches

EXAMS

Scrudú Cheoil Tíre (SCT) is an examination system run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for students of Irish traditional music.


The exams are designed to develop well-rounded musicians, not just performers. They assess performance, ability to hear music, read music and learn about musicians.


These exams are optional and are not required to play Irish traditional music—but our branch encourages students to take them to increase their general musical skill set.