Changing the Rules
Grupaí Cheoil Contest or Ceili Band?
by Terence McKinney

OK, I've waited a week to cool off and examine what happened in Ireland. The comments that follow are sincerely not meant to diminish the winning bands in any way. They are however a criticism of the folks running CCÉ in Ireland. There are a few things need to be said and I don't believe the happy-speak pages of Treoir would bear the weight of criticism, so here's the forum.

The Crotty-Doran Grupaí Cheoil was the last performance of the 13 to play in the 15-18 year old category. Despite an really outstanding performance, the group did not finish in the prize list.

OK...well enough, but....

Immediately after our performance, the judges made "general" comments that we were told were intended for ALL of the groups, however it was embarrassingly transparent that the comments were in fact directed specifically at the Detroit-Windsor Grupai Cheoil performance that preceded the announcement.

"Harmonies, over arrangements, pointless transitions" were a few of the comments made by the judge who was one of two at the competition. The phrase "not traditional" was to be heard several times in the short disparaging monologue.

What is Grupaí Cheoil?
Apparently nobody, especially in North America has any idea. The Grupaí Cheoil contest was "invented" to accommodate musical "arrangements" of traditional Irish music and was not a "traditional" contest at all. This is not to be confused with the Ceili Band contest which is judged on precision, sameness with tune types required.

There has apparently been a decision by the powers that be within the Irish home office that the Grupai Cheoil has become too creative and that the Americans were to be "reeled in" (no pun) lest they go Riverdance crazy?

Our condolences must also go to the St. Louis Senior Grupaí Cheoil as well as the The Academy of Irish Music in Chicago,who suffered a similar fates. Anyone who heard them at the Midwest Fleadh or the All Ireland knows they were utterly brilliant.

Judges Comments
While the kids were performing at the Overseas concert the night before, one of the two judges was overheard muttering how she despised the low whistle, an instrument that has come into vogue for it's unique, flute-like sound (and price of under $125). A typical wooden flute costs $1000+.

I personally don't love accordion but I can but appreciate a well played instrument and would never offer that kind of comment in those circumstances. At best it is unprofessional for a judge and plants the seeds of suspicion about preconceptions the following day. There is no (published) rule that low whistle is not to be played or that there will be points off for doing so.

What's Changed?
Last year this group won the qualifying Midwest Fleadh last year and took SECOND in the All-Ireland Grupai Cheoil contest. We have essentially the same group as last year with the addition of one excellent fiddle player. All the music was arranged by the same person (me) as last year so we have not veered off to left field.

This same group won convincingly at the 2000 Midwest Fleadh this April. If the judging sheets mean anything at all they were right on track for Ireland. No mention of "not traditional" or "pointless" anything from the 3 judges from Ireland, living in North America.

Possible Scenarios to Explain Situation
• The particular judges are too musically uneducated to judge a contest where "instrumentation and presentation" are critical criteria. They are probably undoubtedly outstanding solo musicians and would be better suited to judging "more traditional" contests.

• CCÉ in Ireland does not care for the creativity or direction being displayed in this contest and wanted to send a clear message. If so...we got it. CCÉ in Ireland has simply changed the rules and apparently failed to notify anyone in the North American Branches.

• Or both St. Louis and Detroit (North Americans) played to a poor standard at the local level and were not up to the All-Ireland competition. This despite last year's 2nd place. (We must have slipped badly).

Summing It Up...
If CCÉ cannot get it's act together on simply establishing clear guidelines for competitions or educating the judges, or both , then the Grupai Cheoil contest is not going to reach it's full potential. The concept of "Grupai Cheoil" or arranged Irish music, will continue whether or not CCÉ decides to foster.

North Americans will not waste their time and money and will work at the local level where it really matters. Perhaps it's time for the "Celtic Tiger" to start giving back to the folks who supported them when things were not so prosperous. How about the All-Ireland in the New World?

We'll even send you the rules!

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Grupai Cheoil Rules
(Minimum of 4 members,
maximum of 20 members)

Own choice of music for a maximum of seven minutes. Marks will be deducted for exceeding or falling short of this time.

Whistlers and lilters may be included, as well as players of bodhrán and bones, but piano and drums are not permitted.

Efforts should be made to play tunes other than jigs, reels, and hornpipes. Slow airs, set dances, old marches, harp music, to give a good variety of music.

Attention should also be given to instrumentation and presentation.

Slow airs are to be played on solo instruments only.