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Carmel Gunning TTCT is an Irish composer and musician, born in Sligo, Ireland. Carmel Gunning has been one of Ireland's most accomplished tin whistle players for many years. A native of famously musical South County Sligo Gunning's rich tapestry of culture and tradition steams from her iconic homeland of Geevagh in South Sligo, a region steeped in native culture, a region with such musical luminaries as James Morrison, Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran and Josie McDermott and the legendary McDonagh Brothers. Against such a background her introduction to music took place at an early age and was nurtured by her parents who recognized her rare talents..

Musical Beginings

In 1969 she sang in her first band, "Carmel and the Chrystals", when they played at local dances in Keadue, Geevagh, Boyle and surrounding areas. Playing in the band with Carmel was her brother, Tom Nangle, Kevin Conlon and his brother, and Tony Mullaney..

Former Students

Carmel is highly regarded by her fellow traditional musicians for her fast-paced modern whistle style. She has also worked hard to pass on the Sligo musical tradition to younger players and recently celebrated her 25th anniversary as a music teacher. Alumni of her Queen Maeve School of Music include flute and whistle masters Liam Kelly of the group Dervish, Oisín Mac Diarmada and Damian Stenson from Teada, Olivia McTiernan and June Ní Chormaic(McCormack).

Musical Style

Gunning's reputation in the wider world was boosted by the release of her first solo recording, The Lakes of Sligo, which features four unaccompanied songs as well as 14 tracks of virtuosic tin whistle playing..

One reviewer noted that "the music she plays is in a matured and confident manner" and singing is "rich voiced". and that "it was quite common for musicians to attempt to play tunes beyond their style and capabilities, not so with Carmel, who, although a master, still plays within a comfortable range with music that suits her style and personality. This talented lady is an accomplished singer and composer, as well as a dynamic musician". .

Another reviewer of her music noted that "no modern tin whistler can escape comparison to Mary Bergin, and Carmel's playing does indeed remind some of the Dublin-born star. If anything, however, Gunning plays reels with a more insistent headlong drive. Her ornamentation is also more diverse, featuring many tongued triplets in imitation of the bowed embellishments popular among Sligo fiddlers"..

Passing the tradition on

As well as teaching at annual Scoil Éigse of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann where she passes on her music, songs, singing techniques and her love for those songs to hundreds of young singers, Carmel has also brought Irish music to the world through playing concerts from Norway to Australia and from America to Japan. In addition, Carmel runs the Queen Maeve International Summer School, a Traditional Irish Music summer school of music and dance which is held annually in August at the Institute of Technology in Sligo Town which attracts pupils from across Ireland, Britain, Europe and the United States.

Discography

Albums

• The Lakes of Sligo (1995)
• Around St.James's Well (1995)
• Carmel Sings Country (2002)
• The Sligo Maid (2004)
• Lament For The Birds Jack Harte Featured Appearance (2005)
• The Sound of Coleman Country Various Artists Featured Appearance (2006)

Albums and Tracklists

References

• Geoff Wallis. "Carmel Gunning". IrishMusicReview. Retrieved 16 October. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
• Robert Cullen. "Carmel Gunning shows her country side". SligoWeekender. Retrieved 30 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
• Unknown. "Carmel Gunning". TradMusic. Retrieved 12 January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
• Unknown. "Teachers Profile". St.Louis Festival. Retrieved 2 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
• Unknown. "The Sligo Maid". The Whistle Shop. Retrieved 2 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

See also

• Celtic music
• Irish Recorded Music Association
• Irish topics
• Irish traditional music session

External links

• Queen Maeve School of Music Carmel Gunning Official Website
• Dervish The hard-touring Sligo based contemporary Irish music collective.
• Celtic Grooves
• The Irish Traditional Music Tune Index A searchable database of traditional dance tunes which identifies sources for tunes on commercial recordings and in tune books.
• TheSession.org
• The Irish Music Review

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