My second, and even third, Fleadh

Back last year, I attended my first Fleadh, Irish music festivals with a focus on competitions, as very much an intermediate tin whistle player. So intermediate in fact, that we had an accidental misunderstanding about what was meant by a slow air, which is a required element as part of the four styles of tune in the adult tin whistle category. This year I needed to do better… An unusual opportunity to play music for Irish dancers. I will say that since last year, I’ve continued with my lessons at Cambridge Comhaltas and have been able to attend occasional sessions and other activities, such as the Cambridge TradFest. In general my interest is mostly about enjoying learning the music and also appreciating the communal and spontaneous aspect of sessions, and maybe some fairly relaxed/low profile performances with Comhaltas, like when a few of us recently played a session and provided music for Irish dancers at a local festival. However, the process for the Fleadh is a bit different and…