Come to the 2024 Lake School of Celtic Music, Song and Dance [2- 7 January]. The only way to keep the tradition going is if we introduce more young people and new musicians to the joys of playing Celtic music. The School provides a fantastic opportunity for young, and not so young, to participate in playing Celtic music, singing, dancing and just having a good old time. The School offers something for everyone. In our fast-paced, computer addicted society, the School offers a unique opportunity for families to spend time together learning about and sharing a love of Celtic music, song and dance.
The 2024 School offers beginner and advanced lessons on the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, flute, accordion, tin whistle, Celtic harp, cello, anglo concertina, uilleann pipes, bodhran, 5 string banjo, DADGAD guitar, basic guitar and ukulele. In addition, the School offers you the opportunity to learn to write songs, learn to sing traditional Celtic and pub songs, learn Irish set dancing and join in on the evening céilidh (or céilí) dances or learn to speak and read Irish. All students are encouraged to join either fast Irish music sessions for advanced students or the slower Irish sessions that cater to beginner musicians and singers. For those not well suited to playing music or dancing you can join the James Joyce Reading Group. Lisa and I will be running the popular slow session every morning as we have done in years past and we have very well-attended house parties (slow sessions) at the Commercial Hotel and Kirkstall Hotel most evenings where students and tutors can share their music and songs.
Slow & Steady Sessions and House Parties provide an opportunity for everyone to join in the fun.
Kid’s Program
While siblings and parents are enjoying instrument and dance lessons, there is a concurrent Kid’s lessons from 9:00 – 9:45 and a Kids Program from 10:00 – 12:45 during which younger children can participate in a variety of activities including arts and crafts, storey telling and plays. The program is designed for kids in primary school. In addition, every year there are specially designed kid’s instrument classes for those wanting to learn to play the fiddle, flute, whistle, ukulele and bodhran.
Youth Program
The Lake School has a well developed and successful youth program for high school students. This program is student-driven and typically involves activities such as film making, journalism and computer animation.
Lake School is held in the lovely village of Koroit, Victoria which is approximately 3.5 hours west of Melbourne near Warrambool.
There are plenty of reasonably priced accommodations nearby but you need to book early. See list below:
Olde Courthouse Inn- Koroit – (03) 6565 8346http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g552195-d982459-Reviews-Olde_Courthouse_Inn-Koroit_Victoria.html
Carleton Inn – (03) 5565 7290http://www.port-fairy.com/carletoninn/
Koroit-Tower Hill Caravan Park – (03) 5565 7926 (9 am – 7:30 pm, leave message) https://www.koroittowerhillcaravanpark.com.au/
Mickey Bourke’s Koroit Hotel – (03) 5565 8201 http://www.mickeybourkes.com.au/
For regional information check out these websites:
Warrnambool Visitor Information Centre – 1 800 637 725 http://visitwarrnambool.com.au/visitor-information/visitor-information-centre/#.U-MIOPmSxIM
Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre – (03) 5568 2682 http://www.port-fairy.com/vic/ and accommodations
If not everyone in the family is into music and dance or you need a break, there are Heaps of things to do in the area. check out the following websites for local attractions and activities:
https://visitwarrnambool.com.au/
https://www.koroittowerhillcaravanpark.com.au/