Well one night in May 2000 Bob Bickerton showed up at a session in Kitty O'Sheas Pub, Wellington. After a few tunes we were having a chat and Bob said "Wouldn't it be grand to get all the Wooden Flute Players together for a weekend of learning/teaching/playing tunes?" Shortly afterwards, having sorted out the details over a drink, 20 flute student
from all over New Zealand attended the first Nelson Flute School. Like an obscure cult we huddled in a room and absorbed ourselves in flute-playing. Alan Docherty was the Schools first tutor. He has since gone on to play with the popular band Grada.
Since then the School has expanded to include a range of instruments and to cater for the needs of a growing number of students. In 2003, over seventy students from across New Zealand and overseas attended classes in Wooden Flute, Fiddle, Bouzouki and Concertina.
In 2004 the School was delighted to join forces with the New Zealand Uilleann Pipers in bringing Lunasa to New Zealand. We had close to 120 students in 2004 for classes in Flute, Fiddle, Uilleann Pipes, Whistle, Guitar and Bouzouki.
The sole aim of the school is to facilitate musicians' learning and playing of Irish Traditional Music.
New Zealand has a large number of people for whom Irish music carries a significant cultural resonance. Attendance at the school's classes concerts and sessions allows students to develop musically and to express themselves artistically, tapping into a rich and deep culture that enriches both the individuals and New Zealand society.
The school is modelled on the Irish Summer School formats of Miltown Malbay, Tubbercurry and Drumshambo. It offers a series of master class and performance opportunities to attendees to enhance both their own music practice as well as the cultural and artistic landscape of this country with its strong Irish links.
In the past we have enjoyed meeting and learning from:
- 2000 - Alan Docherty
- 2001 - June McCormack & Michael Rooney
- 2002 - Chris Norman & Andy Thurston
- 2003 - June NiChormaic, Michael Rooney , David Kidron and Bob McNeill
- 2004 - Lunasa (Sean Smyth, Cillian Vallely, Kevin Crawford, Donogh Henessey, Trevor Hutchinson), David Kidron, Brendyn Montgomery , Bob McNeill, Barrie MacDonald
- 2005 - John Carty , June McCormack, Michael Rooney , Adrian Barker, Joe Ferguson, Duncan Davidson, Davy Stuart , Jimmy Young
- 2006 - Hammy Hamilton , Marie McHugh, Trouble in the Kitchen (Adrian Barker, Ben Stephenson, Caroline Frawley, Kate Burke, Joe Ferguson), Duncan Davidson, Brendyn Montgomery
Heres what Chris Norman said about the School:
" I was particularly impressed by the quality of people attending the event. While there was a wide variety of age levels and musical experience among those in attendance, I would have to say that I found the musicians to be among the most genuinely interested and open to learning and considering new ideas, and were among the least jaded as I've ever encountered.
The classes, sessions, and social gatherings at the Nelson Flute Weekend were a breath of fresh air. I can only hope that those in attendance had the same feeling about it being a pretty magical weekend. "
