THE LEADING EDGE
As part of the Leitrim Equation Traditional Music Development Programme, musician and singer/songwriter Eleanor Shanley is leading a programme of professional development workshops for traditional musicians and singers to enhance their skills in presenting on stage, marketing and promotion, how to get gigs, and how to get your music played on air.
The programme is designed for traditional musicians and singers of all ages, but it is particularly suitable for those embarking on a career in traditional music.
All workshops will be held in The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
Eleanor will be joined by musicians of international reputation and experts in each field including: Musicians Kevin Crawford, Cathy Jordan, Dónal Lunny, Charlie McGettigan and John Carty; Toner Quinn, The Journal of Music; Sandra Joyce, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance; Keith Conroy, Sound Engineer; Declan Drohan, Musician/Drama Tutor; Karen Ryan, Return to Camden Festival; & Aine Hensey, RTE Radio.
BOOKING
All five workshops will be held in The Dock Arts Centre, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
The fee for each workshop is €8 or you can book all five together for the reduced rate of €30.
To book call The Dock on 071 96 50828 or for further information call Leitrim County Council Arts Office 071 96 21694 or go to www.leitrimarts.ie.
ABOUT LEITRIM EQUATION
Organised as part of Leitrim County Council’s Arts Strategy, the aim of the Leitrim Equation programme is to promote and develop traditional music. For Leitrim Equation 4, the lead musicians are all seasoned exponents from Leitrim, namely Eleanor Shanley, Dave Sheridan, Padraig McGovern and John McCartin who together make a considerable musical force. The residency takes place over eighteen months and will see the group giving concerts, visiting community and school groups and leading music development projects in Leitrim. In particular musicians from Leitrim and from all over the country will have the opportunity to avail of a wide range of professional development and mentoring opportunities of which The Leading Edge is a crucial part.
WORKSHOP 1 ‘PROMOTING YOURSELF’ & ‘CONTINUING PATHWAYS’
Saturday 4th October 10.00am - 3.30pm
In this workshop, musician, writer and publisher of The Journal of Music Toner Quinn, shares some tips on creating materials to help promote your career, along with sales and marketing approaches that every musician needs to know. The workshop will include direction on producing biographies, press releases and website content. Toner is joined by Sandra Joyce, Director, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance who will talk about the Academy and the further career pathways open to traditional musicians.
WORKSHOP 2 STAGECRAFT
Saturday 11th October 11.00am - 4pm
One of Ireland’s foremost singers, Eleanor Shanley and sound engineer Keith Conroy demonstrate how to present yourself effectively on stage, develop confidence as a performer, choose repertoire, work with your equipment effortlessly and enjoy yourself! As part of a peer review workshop, participants perform informally to each other on stage with full technical back up. Guidelines for how to get the best from your performance will be provided by Eleanor, Keith and singer/songwriter and broadcaster Charlie McGettigan.
WORKSHOP 3 HOW DID WE GET HERE?
Friday 31st October 8.30pm
Bringing together all four Leitrim Equation residencies, Eleanor Shanley talks to world renowned musicians Kevin Crawford from Lúnasa, Cathy Jordan from Dervish and Dónal Lunny about their personal journeys to becoming professional musicians, sharing tips, advice and tricks of the trade that every musician needs to know.
WORKSHOP 4 GETTING ON THE AIRWAVES AND THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
November 1st 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Eleanor Shanley chairs a panel with three people whose knowledge and experience every musician needs to tap into to get their names out there and their music heard. Maureen Carty – Racket Records and Leitrim Equation; Karen Ryan – Director, Return to Camden Festival, Aine Hensey– Producer & presenter, RTE Radio 1 & RnaG.
WORKSHOP 5 PLAYING THE PART
Saturday November 8th 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Declan Drohan, musician and lecturer in Performing Arts conducts a workshop about communication, confidence and stage presence for musicians. Dealing with nervousness, being heard and making communication with your audience as fluid and fluent as your playing.
Philip Delamere
Arts Officer,
Leitrim County Council
Áras an Chontae, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim
T: +353 (0)71 96 21694
E: pdelamere@leitrimcoco.ie
W: www.leitrimarts.ie
