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A resolution recognizing the Nashville Irish Music School and their accomplishments.
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WHEREAS, the Nashville Irish Music School is a non-profit organization founded in 2019 by Founder and Director Claire Shirey and is dedicated to the promotion of Irish music and culture in the Nashville community; and
WHEREAS, the school regularly performs throughout Nashville at various cultural events and festivals and works to strengthen the local Irish culture by hosting bi-monthly Ceili Dances to unite the community and support the school’s students; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville Irish Music School meets weekly at Williams Fine Violins in Donelson and has 22 students of varying ages and abilities; and
WHEREAS, the school’s first official performance for an audience was at the Middle Tennessee Highland Games in fall 2021, and after receiving great reviews the school expanded their performances; and
WHEREAS, the Nashville Irish Music School has since performed across Nashville at the Eastwood Fall Festival and Celebrate Nashville, performed at the Atlanta Irish Fest, participated in Irish Music Workshops in Asheville, North Carolina, started a monthly Irish Music Jam session, hosted seasonal Ceili Dances, and continues to expand today; and
WHEREAS, the school started a Beginner Whistle Class and has built up their instructor roster with individuals who provide private lessons for Concertina, Fiddle, Whistle, Flute, Uilleann Pipes, and Bodhran; and
WHEREAS, in May 2023, the school successfully competed in the Midwest Fleadh Cheoil in St. Louis, Missouri, the main regional traditional Irish music competition based in the Midwest. Several students placed first and second in their age groups in the following categories:
• 1st Place Trio performance: Elora Bunn, age 14, concertina, Loki Bunn, age 15, fiddle, Atticus Bunn, age 12, tin whistle
• 1st Place Concertina performance: Elora Bunn, age 14
• 2nd Place Tin Whistle performance: Atticus Bunn, age 12
• 1st Place Bodhran performance: Atticus Bunn, age 12, accompanied by Allison Hill, age 14
• 1st Place Ceili Drum performance: Atticus Bunn, age 12, accompanied by Allison Hill, age 14 and Loki Bunn, age 15; and
WHEREAS, in August 2023, the Nashville Irish Music School took their biggest trip to date and traveled to Mullingar, Ireland for the Fleadh Cheoil Irish festival, also known as “The Homecoming.” During this festival, roughly 500,000 visitors flocked to Mullingar to embrace and celebrate all aspects of the Irish cultural traditions; and
WHEREAS, starting from its humble beginnings in the upstairs section of McNamara’s Irish Pub, the Nashville Irish Music School nurtured Irish music and culture in the community and continues to enrich the lives of Nashvillians today; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes the Nashville Irish Music School, its instructors, and students for their talent and dedication to preserving traditional Irish music and culture.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing the Nashville Irish Music School and their accomplishments.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.