Across the Water

Immerse students in the music traditions of the Irish, one of North America's largest ethnic populations. Across the Water: Teaching Irish Music and Dance at Home and Abroad gives general music teachers the tools to introduce the music and dance of Ireland while respecting the music's cultural origins. An overview of the history of Irish traditional music provides a basic understanding of the political and cultural events that have influenced this musical style. Readers learn how Irish traditional music is viewed both in formal and informal schools in Ireland and find a literature review of current ethnomusicology and world music resources. Music teachers can follow the ready-to-use, 8- to 10-week music unit and use the accompanying CD full of authentic materials that the author collected while living in Limerick, Ireland. Recorded in the field, these materials will bring master teachers to the classroom with song, ceili bands, and Irish step and set dancing. Units with Irish ceili assessments.