Instrument Making with Ballyfermot College of Further Education in Conjunction with Na Píobairí Uilleann
Na Píobairí Uilleann are pleased to announce that Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) will again be offering instrument making as part of their Higher National Diploma in Irish Traditional Music Performance (Ceoltóir) in the 2020/2021 academic year. The programme in musical instrument making and performance is of 2 years duration, and students will have the opportunity to undertake strands in pipe making, and this year for the first time, in harp and mandolin making.
All instrument-making components of the course are delivered by Na Píobairí Uilleann in our PipeCraft training centre, Clonshaugh, D17. As well as workshop time with an expert maker, students will also have supervised access to the workshop on a regular basis to further develop the skills learned. Pipe making students will have the opportunity to complete a practice set of pipes in their first year of studies (with the opportunity to progress on to the second year of the course and complete a stock and set of drones), whilst students in harp and mandolin making will have the opportunity to complete both these instruments.
The Ceoltóir course is of two years duration and is suitable for musicians and singers who wish to develop and improve as performers. The instrument making component caters for an increasing demand for good quality instruments within the traditional music community. Ceoltóir aims to provide students with the practical skills and academic qualifications to enable them to have a successful and sustainable career in music. Graduates who achieve a merit/distinction profile are eligible for entry to the final year of the college’s BA (Hons) in Media Production Management, programme which is accredited by Dublin City University.
Applications to the Ceoltóir programme, and to the instrument making strand, can be made through the college website www.bcfe.ie. For further information please contact the course coordinator, Paul McGrattan, by email to paul.mcgrattan@bcfe.ie or by calling (01) 6269421.
