Seumas Gagne, Harp and Gaelic Song |

News

6 Aug 2025 - An open letter to my Kaiser Permanente hospitalist and nurse

Dear Doctor Richardson and Nurse Steve,

I’m writing this note, which my longtime primary care physician, Dr. Christopher Covert-Bowlds, has kindly agreed to deliver for me, to let you both know that Camping Cèilidh 2025 was an unqualified success. I kept all my promises to you; I stayed hydrated, out of the sun, and took all my medications on time.

The joy that my husband and I felt being there together was deeply appreciated by us both, and our community of friends enjoyed seeing us happy and together very much. Beyond the framework of the present, however, something very deep and profound came to pass. The team of presenters who took charge in my absence have collaborated with me on a plan that will keep this event going far into the future, regardless of my being present or absent.

Camping Cèilidh brings them joy, and through it, we bring joy to many and will continue to do so. How many people are as lucky as I am to see their work valued so much? Your help and decision to trust me when I said I wanted to leave allowed this to come to pass. I wanted to be sure that you both knew the good that you have done in the world with these actions.

It may just be the steroids that are making me feel so strong and good, but I don’t care. I am standing alive in this moment and throwing my arms wide to tell the world how grateful I am and how deeply I understand the privilege I am given through this experience.

With deep gratitude and not a small amount of love,
Seumas Gagne
www.seumasgagne.com

The new revised banner of Camping Cèilidh

1 Aug 2025 - Camping Cèilidh rolls forward despite difficulties

The intrepid team of Christine Traxler, Christian Hoffman, Suzanne Taylor, and Alicia Guinn have charged into the gap left by Seumas’ absence from the first day’s activities. Their heroism in taking the reins is deeply appreciated.

Seumas is chomping at the bit to be discharged from the hospital in the next couple of hours to head up to the Park. The delay was due to some urgent care needed for the side effects of his cancer treatment so don’t believe the rumors that he was partying with Chapel Roan.

Discography

Baile Ard

Seumas' first solo CD containing a mix of traditional and original songs in Scottish Gaelic as well as traditional dance tunes. Additional musicians featured on this recording include Christine Traxler on fiddle, Colin Isler on cello, Tom Fallat on percussion.

Purchase on:

iTunes, Amazon Music

Prophecy and Blessing

Seumas was a founding member of Wicked Celts, who were active in the mid 1990s in Seattle. Christine Traxler has continued to collaborate with Seumas on many projects including his first solo CD, Baile Ard.

Current Workshops

Workshop and festival organizers! This is a list of my current topic-oriented workshops. I can also provide group instruction in level-based repertoire and style development in my area of expertise, Scottish Gaelic music.

All levels

Beginning Scottish Gaelic

Harp needed: No

Using the innovative Language Hunters teaching method, participants will be shocked and how much useful, conversational Gaelic they can acquire in just 90 minutes.

Four Great Gaelic Songs for Every Harper

Harp needed: No

In this workshop, participants will learn the melodies, suggested chords, and the words of the refrain to four great Scottish Gaelic songs. Prior attendance at Introduction to Scottish Gaelic For Singing Harpers would be very helpful.

Introduction to Scottish Gaelic for Singing Harpers

Harp needed: No

Scottish Gaelic song literature is one of the richest sources of material for both singers and harpers. The differences in the way Gaelic and English use letters to represent sounds, however, presents a barrier. In this workshop, Seumas will introduce you to pronouncing the Gaelic from the printed page. Participants will come away with a solid understanding of how Gaelic represents its sounds in writing, and will learn the refrain of a popular Gaelic song using their new knowledge.

Secrets of Classical Harp Technique

Harp needed: Yes

In the folk harp world we often hear pedal harpists talking about technique, but what does that really mean? In this workshop I teach just the basics of classical harp technique tailored for the folk harper. You'll learn about tone, hand and arm position, how to use a metronome to take your playing to the next level, no matter what level you are at now.

Spilling the Tea on the Sìth

Harp needed: No

In this workshop I share an in depth look at several pieces of literature and other original sources to examine what the intact Gaelic traditional knowledge system tells us about the Other People. It isn't all capes and wings, I'll give away that much!

What Kind of Song Is That?

Harp needed: No

There are many different kinds of Scottish Gaelic songs. Participants in this workshop will sample one of each and learn to tell the difference. Help and advice on arranging the different forms will also be presented.

Intermediate

Common Figures in Dance Tunes

Harp needed: Yes

In this workshop I teach a series of exercises that I developed to help harpers get some of the common melodic figures from Scottish and Irish dance tunes into their fingers. We'll progress slowly from a snail's pace toward performance tempo and see how far we get!

Rocking the Background

Harp needed: Yes

Guitar players can create tremendous energy and flow with the rhythms they strum when they accompany singers and tune players. We can do the same thing with our harps, and in this workshop I'll show you how without ever looking at a note of written music.

Waulking Songs on the Harp

Harp needed: Yes

The Scottish Gaelic song literature boasts several unique song forms; waulking songs among them. In this workshop, participants will learn a few of the traditions around this ancient tradition of wool milling and learn the refrains and melodies of several songs to take back to their harps.

Advanced

Cape Breton Fiddle Tunes on the Harp

Harp needed: Yes

A great source of dance tunes that are playable on the harp is the literature of Cape Breton fiddlers. In this workshop, advanced players will learn several Cape Breton tunes of difference types that Seumas learned from the playing of Wendy MacIsaac.