What is Celtic Music?
In these modern days most people think of Ireland and Scotland when they hear the term Celtic music however its meaning reaches far beyond the borders of Ireland and Scotland. Celtic music is a generic term that encompasses the songs and music, traditional to contemporary, of the Celts, namely the Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Cornish, Manx (from the Isle of Man), Breton (from Brittany in France) and Galician (from Galicia in Spain) peoples.

The Music and Performing Arts library has a good collection of Celtic music scores available for loan. The score collection includes tutor books on Celtic music for a variety of instruments such as Uilleann (Irish) bagpipes, flute, penny whistle and mandolin. A collection of celtic music on audio cassette is available for loan. Celtic music compact discs and LPs may be listened to in the library. Apart from scores and audio recordings the library also has reference books that provide detailed information on Celtic music and dance. Some examples from the reference collection are in the major references section.

Major References

Celtic Music: a Complete Guide
This is a reference work that details Celtic music from its ancient roots through to its modern performers.

The Companion to Irish Traditional Music
The companion to Irish Traditional Music contains information on the particular rituals, qualities and history of traditional Irish music and song.

The Traditional and National Music of Scotland
This Scottish music book was published in 1966 and was the first of its kind to be published in over one hundred years.

Welsh National Music and Dance
A reference work on Welsh folk dance and music.

Community Resources

Festivals

Australian Celtic Festivals
This site lists some of the Celtic festivals held in Australia.

Regional Celtic Music Guides
Ceolas lists hundreds of Celtic festivals from around the world.

Irish & Celtic Music Festivals in Continental Europe
This site lists more than 1200 scheduled Celtic music events that are happening in Europe.

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a festival of music and dance that takes place in early July each year in the North Welsh town of Llangollen. The Eisteddfod attracts competitors from all over the world, who take part in various competitions, concerts and outdoor performances over the course of six days. Around 2400 performers participate during the week which makes the Eisteddfod one of the largest festivals of its kind in the world.

Interest/Support Groups

Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
This site promotes Irish culture, arts and music; and provides links to their branches around the world.

Irish Musicians' Association
Contact details for the Irish Musicians' Association in Western Australia on the Infolink database.

Other Information Resources

Net Links

Ceolas
Visit this site to access the largest online collection of information on Celtic music.

The Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland
The Contemporary Music Centre is Ireland's national archive and resource centre for new music. It supports the work of composers throughout the Irish republic and Northern Ireland. The web site includes articles on Irish music, an online catalogue of music by contemporary Irish composers as well as a variety of educational resources for music teachers and students.

The Encyclopedia of Traditional Celtic Music
The Encyclopedia of Traditional Celtic Music is a comprehensive site on the traditional music, history and performance techniques of Ireland and Scotland. It includes information on traditional instruments, dance, song and music theory.

Irish Music Box
Irish Music Box is an Irish based on-line magazine covering the whole spectrum of Irish music from traditional through to Irish rock.

Music in Scotland
Music in Scotland is dedicated to promoting Celtic music and musicians to the entire world. The site includes the Scottish Dance Index and a large online store of Scottish, Irish, Gaelic and traditional folk music.

The Session
The Session is a great resource for any musician wanting to find and share traditional Irish tunes. It provides traditional Irish tunes in ABC and printable sheet music format, suggested recordings, location lists of regular Irish music sessions around the globe, and a discussion list on Irish music. Membership to the Session is free.

TuneDB the traditional music database
TuneDB provides the "largest collection of traditional tunes on the internet" which may be searched by tune name, ABC format or artists. The database has downloadable music in ABC and printable sheet music formats, and midi files of the tunes. TuneDb also provides a useful definition of traditional music and information on musical modes.