Who is eligible?
Any musician, instrumental or vocal, at least 18 years of age, who would like to attend the Catskills Irish Arts Week , July 12-18, 2009 in East Durham, NY, except family members of the Board of Directors of Banjo Burke Memorial Fund, and their students.
What's included?
Full tuition for the week, lodging, and a food allowance.
How to apply:
You can apply by mail or in person at the Mid-Atlantic Fleadh.
To apply by mail:
Instrumental musicians record yourself on cassette or CD playing 5 selections - a jig, a reel, a hornpipe, a slow air, and one more tune of your choice. Vocal musicians record 5 songs of varying tempo. Explain, either on the recording or in an accompanying letter, your name, age, address, and phone number; how long you have been playing or singing; the size of your repertoire; which classes you would like to take at the Arts Week and how you expect it will help you develop as a musician. You may also include comments or recommendations of teachers, mentors or fans, but this is not necessary. Accompaniment is optional, but at least one selection must be unaccompanied.
You don't have to worry about getting the use of a fancy recorder. We're good at ignoring the artifacts of recording and listening to the music itself.
Send your recording with any accompanying materials to:
Banjo Burke Memorial Fund
PO Box 937
Greenwood, NY 14839
All materials must be received by May 5, 2009. Recipients will be notified by May 9.
To apply in person:
Come to the Fleadh! The Mid-Atlantic Fleadh, held during April, at the Pearl River Middle School in Pearl River, NY is an excellent experience for any traditional musician. See http://www.nyfleadh.com in the Spring for details of time and place . We plan to have a room there where you can come and audition in person if you wish. We will record the audition, and consider it together with those we receive by mail, so those who apply in person will have no advantage over those who apply by mail. But you will have a weekend of great music and craic!
How will the winners be chosen?
A field of 12 finalists will be selected on the basis of current demonstrated ability, apparent future potential, and probable benefit the student would derive from the classes chosen. From among the 12 finalists, the winners will be drawn by lot, and will be notified by May 9. The number of scholarships to be awarded will be determined at a later date.
