Vinland Music Camp
Lunchtime Workshops
Learn Traditional Music and Dance!
Late-Lunch Workshop Series at Vinland Music Camp
When: Monday August 18 through Thursday August 21, 1:00pm-1:45pm
Where: Lion Max Simms Camp, off Bay d'Espoir Highway (Google map link)
Different workshops each day by exceptional musicians and dancers
Do you live near Bishop’s Falls and are interested in traditional music, dance, and arts? Join us for our special 25th Anniversary lunchtime workshops at Vinland Music Camp being held at Lion Max Simms Camp near Bishop’s Falls.
The camp itself has a packed schedule of 4-day courses but we realize that not everyone can take the time off work, so come for our one-off workshops instead!
Our faculty of exceptional artists are offering these unique workshops. Explore the music of the iconic Irish harpist O’Carolan (on any instrument); learn alternate tunings for your guitar; try out traditional set dancing; learn to play for dancers; or if you are a singer/guitarist who wants to learn to accompany yourself, then we have something for you! Full descriptions below.
These workshops are included in tuition for full-time participants, and also available to the public for $20 per workshop, with proceeds going to support the Vinland Music Camp and the non-profit Soundbone Traditional Arts Foundation.
If you are interested in the 4-day camp with many more classes offered, then take a look here: Vinland Music Camp 2025
If you want to come to lunchtime workshops only, register here: Vinland Music Camp Workshop Registration Form
Please register ahead of time for workshops you are interested in: workshops will only run if we have enough people. If you sign up for a workshop and it is cancelled, you will be refunded.
Descriptions
Hugh Scott - Alternate Guitar Tunings
Monday August 18th, 1-145pm
Room: Games Room
Want to sound Hugh-mongous on Guitar? Explore alternate tunings with Hugh. We will discover various guitar tunings and their applications and by jinko, we’ll have fun doing it. Oh we WILL sound awesome!
This workshop is for intermediate and advanced guitar players.
Dave Panting - The Zen of Set-Dance Accompaniment
Tuesday August 19th, 1pm-1:45pm
Room: Gym
Playing for set-dancers is an art unto itself. In my workshop I will address the following subjects:
Choosing appropriate tunes to suit various dance steps
Constructing medleys to suit various dances
Tune-accompaniment guitar chord choices etc.
Timing
Tempo
Multiple musicians working as a unit
Overplaying and overcomplicating dance music...
This workshop is for intermediate and advanced players of traditional instruments (fiddle, accordion, mandolin, guitar, tin whistle).
Jean Hewson - Accompanying Yourself Singing
Tuesday August 19th, 1- 145
Room: Games Room
Do you love to sing? Do you love to play guitar or ukulele? Do you find it difficult to do both at the same time? Singing while playing can be a challenge as the rhythm of the accompaniment often differs from the rhythm of the melody. Learn some easy techniques to create interesting accompaniments while you sing. Jean Hewson will supply some helpful hints and tricks to make the process a little easier. This workshop is not for beginners, but for people who are already familiar with basic chords and strumming and/or fingerpicking patterns. Feel free to bring along some songs that you’ve been working on.
The Music of Turlough O’Carolan – a jam session (with Eric West and friends)
Thursday August 21st, 1-145pm
Room: Jack Badcock Room
This is a jam session for those who are fans of the music of Turlough O’Carolan – the famous Irish harper/composer who lived from 1670-1738. Carolan wrote many of the most beautiful tunes in existence and they are played by musicians all over the world. You are welcome to play along with tunes you know, or just sit back and listen. The sheet music and mp3s/links for the tunes will be sent to you before the workshop. We’ll be playing most of his well-known tunes (eg. Si Bheag Si Mhor, Fanny Power, Carolan’s Receipt, Planxty Irwin and Mrs. Power (Carolan’s Concerto) as well as some rarely heard gems. All are welcome!
Jane Dennison - Intro to Traditional NL Set-Dancing for new dancers
Thursday August 21st, 1-145pm
Room: Gym
No need for any prior experience to participate in this workshop on traditional Newfoundland set- or square-dancing. We'll take you from zero to doing a full dance in the session. If you can walk you can do this. This style of group dancing has been done in the province for more than 250 years. Come see what it's about!
Your instructor and dance caller will be Jane Dennison, with beautiful dance tunes provided by Christina Smith on her fiddle. All ages are welcome including young people aged 12 and older if they participate with an adult.