The Irish Music School of Chicago Announces 4th Annual Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp

Chicago Police Chief Francis O'Neill 1901–1905 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Irish Music School of Chicago proudly announces its fourth annual Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp from July 21-26, 2014. The week provides a unique learning opportunity by bringing master traditional Irish musicians to Chicago to teach the many facets of traditional Irish arts to children ages 6-14. The Kids Day Camp teaches a wide range of subjects including traditional Irish music, singing, dancing, language and Celtic arts and crafts to children with no experience necessary. The camp takes place at Chief O'Neill's at 3471 N. Elston Ave. in Chicago Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25, 9am-3pm with a finale recital for friends and family on Saturday, July 26. Buffet lunch including many traditional Irish dishes is provided Monday-Friday for the campers and is included in the cost of camp ($300 early registration through May 15, $350 late registration begins May 16).
Chicago has a long history with traditional Irish music and the events of Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week serve to continue that rich heritage. The Francis O’Neill Irish Arts Week further serves to cement Chicago’s historic place as a bastion of Irish music. The week pays fitting homage to former Chicago Police Chief, Captain Francis O’Neill, who preserved traditional Irish music for future generations. The week continues that legacy by passing the beauty of traditional Irish arts to the next generation during the Kids Day Camp and also offers evening and weekend programming for adults.
The faculty for the 2014 Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week includes some of the best traditional Irish music and dance teachers in the world including members of one of Ireland's leading traditional bands, Téada. The faculty and their specialties are Seán Cleland (fiddle), Danny Collins (piano accordion, tenor banjo, bodhrán, céilí dancing), Róisín Comer (concertina, tin whistle, Irish flute, Irish language), Pauline Conneely (tin whistle, tenor banjo), Kathy Cowan (singing in Irish and English), Seán Gavin (tin whistle, Irish flute), Oisín Mac Diarmada (fiddle), Seán Mc Elwain (guitar), Robert McLeod (fiddle, tin whistle), Dierdre Millane (piano, Irish language), Rosemary O'Malley (fiddle, tin whistle), Tristan Rosenstock (bodhrán, Irish language and poetry), and Damien Stenson (Irish flute).

•     Early registration for camp runs through May 15 at $300 which includes daily lunch Monday-Friday provided by Chief O'Neill's.
•     Late registration begins May 16 at the rate of $350.
•     Registration and additional information are available at http://www.irishmusicschool.org/francis-oneill-irish-arts-week.
•     Additional questions can be directed to info(at)irishmusicschool(dot)org or (773) 412-5082.

About the Irish Music School of Chicago
The Irish Music School of Chicago is a leader in teaching traditional Irish music to students of all ages by utilizing the traditional methods of teaching by ear and telling the stories behind the tunes, and the significance of being part of a living musical community. As a not-for-profit organization, the Irish Music School is committed to maintaining the strong tradition of Irish music, song and dance, to involve more people in the community of Irish music, and ensure that this type of music does not disappear in Chicago and the United States.

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