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BRIMS IUPD Weekend Uilleann Piping Tionól
The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) Uilleann Piping Program is pleased to offer our first 2+ Day Uilleann Piping Tionól. We will also be commemorating International Uilleann Pipe Day (IUPD) with FREE Community Programs for Children, Women, as well as a Saturday Night Community Concert.
We have added some exciting programs to this Tionól – while continuing to keep our participants goals as our focus. .
Offered New this Year:
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Expanded 2+ Day format
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Increased Number of Great Instructors – Eliot Grasso, Colleen Shanks, Michael Roddy, Brandon Davis, Janis Deane, and Conor Freeland
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“Reed and Feed” - Friday Night Cookout with Reed Repair, Instructor Concert, lots of socialization and sessions! This is going to be so fun!!
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Underlying theme recognizing “Historic Uilleann Pipe Makers”
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More/New exciting Workshops!
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More Free time for socialization, sessions, practice, relaxation/reflection
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Continued emphasis on a small-class learning environment - with specific focus on the needs of the individual participant.
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FREE Community Programs to promote Uilleann Piping for Children and Women in the Charlottesville Community.
(All participants must have their own pipes. Pipers should work to ensure their entire set is in acceptable playing condition. Beginners will be assisted - as able - on-site - to address issues as is possible. Friday Nights “Reed and Feed)” will be a time to get some help with your pipes.)
Date: November 6-8, 2026
Location: Charlottesville, VA (specific location TBA)
Friday:
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“Reed and Feed” – 7pm-10pm - “Virginia Style Cookout”, Reed Repair, Instructor Concert, Sessions
Saturday:
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Check-in 9am
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Classes 10-4:00 pm
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Lunch/Break- onsite 12-2pm
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Evening Concert 7pm “The Irish Harp and Pipes"
Sunday:
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Group Breakfast at IHOP
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Piping Classes 10-12:00 pm
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Lunch/Break – on-site 12-2pm
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Workshops 2-3:30pm
Tionol Classes
A core goal of the BRIMS Tionól is to work to meet the need of each individual student. Every piper encounters obstacles in their learning process - that either interfere or seem to stop their progress. Each of our instructors will work to address the needs of each student in our small class size.
Special Workshops
Sunday afternoon we will focus on specific workshop topics. Each Workshop Class will explore the listed topic in greater depth. Instructors will utilize a combination of demonstration as well instruction the at will be tune-based.
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Concert
An Evening with Traditional Irish Harp and Pipes - The Ultimate Concert Experience
“ In April 2023, I had the pleasure of teaching a workshop for BRIMS Inaugural Uilleann Piping Tionól. It was a unique experience for me in that it was done virtually via a video Zoom link. Despite the distance in miles, Randy and his team at BRIMS put incredible care and attention into planning and creating a setting where the students and I were able to participate as if we were actually in the same room. What a great bunch of pipers! There's certainly a strong piping community growing there and it was clear to see that the school has a commitment to helping students of all ages and stages in their learning reach their potential. It was heartening to see so many pipers gathered for the Tionól and an honor to have been able to share some music with them ...”
Colleen Shanks, April 2023
​" I had the honor of teaching at the first on-site BRIMS Piping Tionól in November 2023. Despite it being the first of its kind, it was a well-attended and very well-organized event, hosted in a very relaxed and friendly environment with pipers from all over the region. Players of all levels took part in the classes, with opportunities even for players without pipes to try out and have their first instruction. A very worthwhile event that I would encourage all pipers to attend."
Cillian Vallely, November 2023
“...This is the most organized Tionól I have ever attended ... “
Joey Arbata, November 2024
“ Thank you so much for making yesterday’s Tionól and concert an outstanding experience. The classes and performance (including Brightwood and the dancers) were extremely helpful and entertaining. Joey Abarta was a top-notch teacher and inspiring musician. Thanks so much.” Beginner Piping Student
“... I especially appreciated your warm welcome to me as a total newcomer. And am thrilled to have had a chance to try the uilleann pipes ... thank you and Brandon and everyone for facilitating such a great experience.” Beginner Piping Student
“ Venue is perfect. Instructor to student ratio was also about right. The whole thing was very well organized. Lots of happy, helpful people. I only knew a few people there, but I felt very welcomed and included... It was a great time. Thanks so much. I'm looking forward to November, and hoping I can make it.” Advanced Piping Student