Gaelic Language & Song Workshop

Join us on Sunday, June 9th for our Gaelic Language and Song Workshop! Join us for our annual Gaelic Language & Song Workshops at the Littlefield Celtic Center! Instructors Stacey Giermann and Rich Hill from Seattle-based Slighe nan Gaidheal have a great workshop planned to help beginners speak–and sing!–in Gaelic before the end of the day. This is a wonderful continuation for those who have attended in the past, complete with new content and vocabulary as well as refreshers, but is also completely suitable for first-time visitors with no previous experience with Gaelic. Participants will start the day with a quick introduction to what Scottish Gaelic is and a bit of the language’s history. Background information will help students wrap their minds (and tongues) around words that look like a jumble of letters, focusing on pronunciation and basic vocabulary. Students will begin talking with basic, beginning conversational games. In addition to vocabulary and conversation, students will also learn about various types of Gaelic songs, including Puirt, waulking, laments, and more, as well as their purpose and significance in Celtic culture. Song sheets and pronunciation guides will be provided for students to sing along. Instructors will demonstrate each song and then teach it line-by-line. Recording devices are encouraged to assist students in later practice. This year, we’ll ask students to please indicate their experience level. The class will be split into two groups: Group 1 will consist of new beginners and students who would like a review of the basics; Group 2 will consist of students who have already studied a little Gaelic and would like a slightly more advanced look at conversation and grammar. Please indicate your experience in the tickets below. If you need assistance selecting your group, please email events@celticarts.org or call 360-416-4934. Stacey Giermann is a Gaelic language coach and speech teacher, and Rich Hill has 25 years of experience teaching Gaelic. Both have studied with some of the best Gaelic teachers and singers in the industry. CAF members may recognize Stacey and Rich from some of the events they have sung at, including the Traditional Scottish Breakfast. Students have the option of purchasing a boxed lunch option provided at the Littlefield Celtic Center for convenience. Lunches include a generously sized deli sandwich, chips, cookie, and bottled water. Please email events@celticarts.org or call 360-416-4934 at least ten days before the event if you would like to take advantage of this option but have specific dietary restrictions in order for us to investigate alternatives and make special arrangements if possible. The Littlefield Celtic Center is within walking distance from several dining options in downtown Mount Vernon. We are pleased to offer members and guests discounted lodging at the Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites, where they’ll save 15% on the best available rate and enjoy complimentary breakfast. The Hampton Inn is about a ten minute drive from the Littlefield Celtic Center. To make a reservation, please use the link on our website. Information about cancellations, refunds, and exchanges can be found on our Ticket Policy page.