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Buddy lives in Judique and is nicknamed the "Master of the Cape Breton Fiddle" because he is a smooth, correct player who inspires dancers and brings out the best of the sweet melodies of many Cape Breton and Scottish composers.

Hugh Allan "Buddy" MacMaster was born October 18, 1924 in Timmins, Ontario to John Duncan MacMaster and Sarah Agnes (MacDonald). There, in a Gaelic speaking home, he was introduced to the sounds of the old music through the lilting (mouth music) of his mother. Although Buddy's father played the fiddle, it is his mother, Sarah Agnes, Buddy credits with awakening his interest in music and passing it on to him.

Buddy MacMaster has travelled the world passing on to many a deep commitment and respect for the traditional music of his Cape Breton homeland. The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre established the fiddling school as a tribute to his dedication, in appreciation for the many ways he has contributed to the vitality and endurance of traditional music.

It' an honour to have the Buddy MacMaster name associated with our school and so we strive to offer instruction in techniques, tunes, and musical interpretation that supports the traditions that Buddy so exemplifies.


2008 Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling:
October-13-17, 2008

10:00am-11:00am  - First session
11:00am-12:00pm  - Second Session
12:00pm-1:00pm    - Lunch and Ceilidh with Buddy MacMaster
1:00pm-2:00pm      - 3rd Session and
2:00pm-3:00pm      - last session of the day
3:15pm-4:15pm      - Jam Session with Director Kinnon Beaton

School Registration Cost:
Register online using the links below

Full week:  $440.00 + tax
4 days: $97.50 per day + tax
3 days $100.00 per day + tax
2 days $112.50 per day + tax
1 day $125.00 + tax

Includes the daily lunch ceilidh with Buddy MacMaster.

For further info on classes, phone us at (902) 787-2708 or send us an email.



 Visa or Mastercard accepted. All transactions are secure. Prices in Canadian dollars.

* Please choose 'Tickets' in the shipping options for no shipping charge.
* We will contact you after you register to ask for the days you wish to attend.

  » Register: Full Week $440 + tax
  » Register: 4 Days $390 + tax ($97.50/day)
  » Register: 3 Days $300 + tax ($100/day)
  » Register: 2 Days $225 + tax ($112.50/day)
  » Register: 1 Day $125 + tax
     

2008 Instructors:

Monday, October 13, 2008

Glenn Graham
Glenn has been a force to be reckoned with since he was a teenager, playing for dances when he was just 15 years old. Influenced by the ancient sounds of the "Mabou Coal Mines" fiddle style, Glenn’s roots go deep in the traditional Gaelic music of Cape Breton. Well over four generations of his family have produced more than fifty musicians including fiddlers, piano players, Gaelic singers, pipers, composers and dancers.

 

Kyle MacNeil
Fiddler, guitarist and mandolin player with the
Barra MacNeils. More info on Kyle coming shortly...

 

 

 

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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Andrea Beaton
One of Cape Breton's most promising young fiddlers, Andrea Beaton comes by her music honestly. She's the youngest of generations of Beaton musicians. Her father, Kinnon, is one of today's most influential Cape Breton fiddlers. Her mother, Betty Beaton, is one of the great piano accompanists of her generation. Andrea is increasingly in the forefront of her generation. Her music is at once her own and deeply rooted in the tradition associated with the Mabou Coal Mines. And, like her father and grandfather, she is a composer in the tradition, adding fine new music to the island's repertoire.

 

Colin Grant
Colin has immersed himself in the local music scene since moving from Toronto in 1998, taking lessons in fiddle and guitar from acclaimed musician and teacher Allie Bennett as well as performing at ceilidhs, dances, and concerts all over the island. He soon developed his own style of playing; his clean, lively sound proving versatile in venues as diverse as the West Mabou dance hall and the Savoy Theatre.
 

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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Howie MacDonald
Howie has been a performer as long as he can remember. Whether at a family gathering or an international concert hall, Howie's job was always to entertain. Even while spending many years touring and recording with the Rankin Family, Howie still managed to release nine albums. Howie is an accomplished piano player as well and has accompanied just about everyone on the island.
 

Dwayne Cote
Dwayne has been performing since the age of four, entertaining audiences with his guitar and violin skills. During the late 80’s and early 90’s, Dwayne performed on television and radio with such celebrated performers as John Allan Cameron, Graham Townsend, Jerry Holland and Dave MacIsaac, to name just a few. Dwayne Cote is deemed to be one of the most unique violinists in Atlantic Canada.
 

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Mairi Rankin
is a native of Mabou, Cape Breton. She has been playing the fiddle and step-dancing for nearly 15 years. Her extraordinary skills have entertained audiences across Canada, the USA, Denmark, and the U.K. She has performed as a solo artist and with such renowned groups as Cuillin, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley Mac Isaac, Mary Jane Lamond, and “Spirit Of The Dance”. She has also released her first solo recording entitled "First Hand".

 

Wendy MacIsaac
Wendy is a fiddler/piano player/stepdancer from Creignish, Cape Breton. She has been touring all over the world for the fifteen years with Mary Jane Lamond, Ashley MacIsaac, Beolach (her current band) and as a solo performer. She has performed in Italy, Brazil, UK, Ireland, Iceland, Eastern Europe and all over North America. Wendy’s recordings include ‘The Reel Thing’, ‘That’s What You Get’ and her latest album ‘Timeline’. Beolach has recorded 2 albums and Wendy is featured prominently on the recordings of Mary Jane Lamond.

 

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Friday, October 17, 2008

Jerry Holland
Jerry is a fiddler strongly rooted in Cape Breton, Scottish and Irish dance music traditions. An active performer and recording artist, many of his own tunes have entered the traditional repertoire around the world. His tunes, books and recordings have remained influential wherever Celtic music is played. From childhood on, a series of fortunate events put young Jerry in the company of many of the greatest Cape Breton musician of the last generation, Winston Fitzgerald, Bill Lamey, Angus Chisholm, and many others. Many will remember seeing Jerry perform on The John Allan Cameron Show. These shows were taped in Montreal and ran from 1974 to 1977.

Dave MacIsaac
Internationally recognized as a master of stringed instruments, Dave MacIsaac is a musician’s musician and is widely admired as such. He plays traditional fiddle tunes with fiery passion, and his stunning guitar playing, whether solo or as accompaniment, is industry legend. Dave's father, Alex Dan, was also a fiddler and had an influence on Dave's playing. Dave is known as an "old style" fiddler and his repertoire consists of many, many, old tunes In the Celtic field especially, he's highly regarded as both a soloist and a sideman.
 


A weeklong course of playing and learning at The Celtic
Music Centre in Buddy's home village of Judique.


Inn on the Intervale
Judique Phone: (902)-787-2742
Toll Free: 1-877-795-4882
2-3 miles from the Center
www.innontheintervale.com

Denys Mountain B&B
Judique Phone: (902) 787-2393, 787-2936
2-3 miles from Center

Available for Rent
3 Bedroom House
Call Bernadette at (902) 787-2517
2-3 miles from Center
 
Herbridean Motel
Port Hood Phone: (902) 787-3214
10 miles from Center

Captain's River Cottages
Port Hood Phone: (902) 787-2594
10 miles from Center
www.captainsrivercottages.com
 
Chisholm of Troy Costal Cottages
Hwy 19 Troy Phone: (902) 625-3285
15 miles from Center
www.chisholmcottages.com
 
Marg's B&B
Troy Phone: (902) 625-2401
15 miles from Center
 
Paul Bunyan Cottages
Troy Phone: (902) 625-3033
15 miles from Center
www.paulbunyancottages.com 
 
Skye Lodge
Port Hawkesbury Phone: (902) 625-1300
20 miles from Center
www.skyelodge.com

 


Quotes:

"The Buddy MacMaster School of Fiddling is unique to Cape Breton Island in that it features the styles of ten different teachers, both from the younger and older generation of fiddlers. The atmosphere is one of natural Cape Breton hospitality, in a focused environment that allows you to absorb the music and the meaning. I recommend this school for those wanting to learn the fiddling style of Cape Breton."

- Sincerely, Natalie MacMaster
 

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Greetings from Rockland (outside of Ottawa).
I was at your school for one day (Monday) this year, and intend to be back for the whole week next year!  Really enjoyed the school, Celtic colours, and just about everything I saw and heard while there. I am a real fan of Cape Breton culture and music, and every time I go the depth and abilities of the young musicians I see blows me away! This year, after the Tuesday evening concert at Strathspey Place (which was itself an experience), I stopped into the Red Shoes pub and heard Jennifer Roland play - WOW! Another great musician and one I hadn`t heard of before.

- Calvin (Rockland, ON)

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Great job on the workshops!
- Ketra

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I wanted to send an email to thank you for all the great teachers at this years fiddle class. I had a great time, and learned so much, and met so many great people while I was up in CB. I need to listen many times to the recordings of the lessons that I made so it can all sink in.
- Thanks again, Phil
 


» July 16-20, 2007:  Buddy's School of Fiddling
Instructors: Kyle MacNeil, Jerry Holland, Carl MacKenzie, Shelly Campbell, Buddy MacMaster, Andrea Beaton, Winnie Chafe, Glenn Graham, Kimberley Fraser, Kinnon Beaton