My Musical Year - Ah Spring.....

The more I reflect on 2011, the more I occurs to me what a good year it was for music.   One of the things I appreciate most was joining "Craobh Dugan", the local branch of Comhaltas, an international organization devoted to preserving and promoting the Music and culture of Ireland.   For an Irish Polack it was a bit of a homecoming.   Irish Music has always had a strong appeal, and I've dabbled a bit over the years, but never got serious enough to learn the music to reach a level where I could perform.    In 2010 I decided to jump in with both feet and join the group.   Haven't looked back since, and it's been one of the more rewarding experiences of my musical career.   I truly enjoy all the friendship and the music we all make together.   It's pretty cool to sit in with some truly outstanding Irish Musicians and play and learn the art.   And they are good fun to hang out with. 

So what has all this got to do with Spring 2011?  That's peak performing season for the group with St. Pats day in March.    I don't quite remember how many shows we did, but there were plenty.    And most were done in Nursing Homes.    Craobh Dugan does a lot of shows for the folks who truly appreciate having a live performance and don't have the means or ability to get out and see it on their own.   It's  a great way to give a bit back, and I think I enjoy these gigs as much as any stage performance we do.   When one old timer came up to me after a show, nearly in tears, telling me how much he appreciated and enjoyed the show - better than a standing ovation!!  

The performance part of Craobh Dugan has also been a real boost to me - without which I never would have learned to read music, or got the idea to buy and learn Irish Tenor Banjo (which is coming along slowly but surely)   But having the performances has pushed me to learn (and more important appreciate) a lot of tunes I never would have approached.   Not to mention all the fun along the way..... there will be more to follow for sure.