Contemporary Celtic Music

3 credits

This course will investigate different presentations of music and performance practice across the Celtic region, including its diasporas. We will consider the influence of political events on contemporary music, using such artists as Kneecap, the cranberries, and U2. The presence of linguistic and cultural revival through educational and music programs will be discussed, such as withColiste Lurgan and Gaelic-language immersion schools, as well as the presence of English language. The use of Celtic instruments will be examined as we analyze what can be considered "traditional." We will further address how Celtic identity is performed both at home and in the diaspora by collecting examples of material and digital culture and taking a class visit to a local session (e.g., the Irish Cultural Center). Guest artists both from on campus and the greater Boston area will supplement the course with lecture-demonstrations.