CANADA

JULY 21 – 26, 2024
LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA

Boxwood returns to beautiful & historic Lunenburg, Nova Scotia for a week of immersive programs in traditional & early music. Join us for an unforgettable gathering of musical discovery and fun. 

 

‘I’m delighted to welcome you back to Lunenburg for a joyous week exploring the roots and branches of traditional and early music with a wonderful and inspiring group of world-class tradition bearers. Boxwood is all about being a space for you to create, discover and join in the evolution of our shared musical traditions in a holistic approach that integrates music, dance, language and crafts in hands-on programs for adults, kids and professionals. This year will include an emphasis on tune and song writing, arranging, and improvisation. I hope to see you there!’

Chris NORMAN – flutes, pipes, director


James KELLY
Fiddle

James Kelly, a native of Ireland, is one of the greatest Irish traditional fiddlers alive today. He learned his music from his father John Kelly, the renowned fiddle and concertina player from County Clare. James began his recording and touring career at age sixteen. That year he won first place in the prestigious “Fiddler of the Year” competition and recorded his first album, a duet with his brother John. Since that time, James has recorded 18 albums, toured Europe, the US, Canada and South America, and was a member of several influential Irish groups, including “Patrick Street” and the legendary folk group “Planxty.” • In-person & online


Brendan MULHOLLAND
Flute, Whistle

Country Antrim born flute player Brendan Mulholland started out on the flute at the age of 11 and  is now widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of the Irish Wooden Flute throughout the world of folk and traditional music both at home and abroad. Brendan is a familiar face on the European circuit for flute workshops and lectures and has preformed and recorded with many acts including Realta, BrÍd Harper, Grainne Holland, John Carty and Mary Dillon. He is also a member of the Music in the Glen trio and Duo Mulholland & McCluskey. • In-person & online


Andreas RALSGÅRD & Markus TULLBERG
Flute, tune writing

Andreas Ralsgård and Markus Tullberg are breathing new life into the Swedish wooden flute tradition. Together they have rediscovered the tunes of the old flute masters as well as made interpretations of fiddle tunes. Ralsgård & Tullberg play wooden transverse flutes, an instrument that was an integral part of the southern Swedish folk music scene in the 19th and 20th centuries. Similar instruments are still widely used in Ireland, France and England. By the dedicated efforts of these two visionary flute players, ties are being made to the musical worlds of these countries and Swedish flute music is undergoing a revival.  In-person & online


Amanda MARKWICK
Recorder, Baroque Flute, renaissance flute

We’re pleased to welcome Amanda, a leading exponent of renaissance and baroque flute playing. Amanda has received Bachelors and Masters degrees from both Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, USA, and the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague, The Netherlands. Her teachers included Barbara Kallaur, Kate Clark, Wilbert Hazelzet, and Barthold Kuijken. Amanda has since become a sought-after collaborator in chamber music and orchestral work, performing regularly throughout Europe. As an educator, she gives lectures and masterclasses internationally. With co-author Kate Clark, she has written The Renaissance Flute: A Contemporary Guide, the first modern handbook for the Renaissance flute. • In-person & online


Liam O’BRIEN
Concertina, Banjo, tune writing

Liam O’Brien is from Miltown Malbay, brought up in a very musical family. After starting on the tin whistle he later went on to take up the concertina and attended classes with Noel Hill for many years. Liam then went on to study Irish Music & Dance in the University of Limerick. Since being awarded the 2017 TG4 Young Musician of the Year, he has travelled the world playing and teaching all across Europe, Africa and Asia. Liam has also been teaching concertina and banjo as part of the Brid O’Donohue School of Music for the last eight years where his popularity grows and grows. • In-person & online


Nic GAREISS
Dance, Song

Nic Gareiss is recognized world-wide for his singular voice in the realm of dance, music, and the traditional arts. Informed by 25 years of ethnographic study and performance, Gareiss’ work draws from many percussive dance practices to weave together a technique facilitating his love of improvisation; clog, flatfoot, and step dance vocabulary; and musical collaboration. He has concertized in sixteen countries with many of the luminaries of roots music and folk dance including Alasdair Fraser, Natalie Haas, Bruce Molsky, The Chieftains, Colin Dunne, Darol Anger, The Gloaming, Ira Bernstein, Liz Carroll, Phil Wiggins, and Sandy Silva. • In-person & online


Eamon O’LEARY
Guitar, Song, Banjo

Eamon O’Leary is a songwriter, guitar, bouzouki and banjo player and  from New York’s Lower East Side, originally from Dublin, Ireland. He has developed his songcraft, appearing live and collaborating with esteemed artists such as Sam Amidon, Beth Orton, Bonnie Prince Billy, Anais Mitchell, Anna and Elizabeth, Martin Hayes, releasing five recordings of original songs including Old ClumpAll Souls, Sister in Song, Bernadette, and The Silver Sun. He has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe, performing and recording with many of Irish music’s great players. Eamon regularly tours and records with The Murphy Beds, with Jefferson Hamer, and with old friends John Doyle and Nuala Kennedy to form The Alt. • In-person & online


Janelle LUCYK
Song, Sea Aires Choir

Janelle graduated in 2014 with distinction from the Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles in Belgium where she debuted Lux Aeterna, written for her and the Brussels Chamber Choir by Jan Moeyaert, performed as a soloist and recorded with Musica Fura, Laudantes Consort, and Voces Desuper. Growing up as a violinist, Janelle was the youngest member of Regina Symphony Orchestra and with them performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons as soloist in 2009.  Janelle has been captivated by Nova Scotia’s flourishing music scene since arriving in the stunning maritime province. Janelle is also the artistic and administrative director of Musique Royale, which presents concerts featuring early music in beautiful and historic venues across Nova Scotia. • In-person •


Nick HALLEY
Percussion

Nick Halley is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and conductor. As a drummer and world percussionist, he has performed and recorded internationally with a wide range of world-class musicians. Nick is busy as a choral director in Halifax, Nova Scotia as the founder and Artistic Director of the Capella Regalis Men and Boys Choir, Director of The King’s Chorus, Assistant Director of the acclaimed University of King’s College Chapel Choir directed by his father, Paul Halley, Cantor and Director for the chapel’s male Compline choir, and Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax. • In-person & online


BOXWOOD FLUTE CHOIR
Flute

The Boxwood Flute Choir led by Andra Bohnet explores new and delightful music for this unique sonic universe. The Boxwood Flute Choir is an eagerly anticipated part of Boxwood Canada 2023 and is open to all who are adventurous and love to play the flute!


Marlys YVONNE
Pilates & wellness

Marlys Yvonne is a certified Pilates instructor, studio owner, artist and creator of the Ara Movement and practice based in Palm Springs, CA. Her training as a classical ballet dancer helped to mold the Ara practice, which focuses on thoughtful transitions, mind-focused movement and an educated, contemporary approach to teaching Pilates. Marlys will be presenting three online classes during the week specially designed for Boxwood musicians to alleviate tension and enhance mobility, fluid movement, and strength. Available for all participants, log in and move with Marlys! • Online only •

Our 2024 workshop schedule will be posted in March. In the meantime, have a look at our 2023 schedule; it's similar to what you can expect in 2024. It doesn't include smaller ad-hoc classes, gatherings and one-on-ones for special topics such as recorder, harp, banjo, small pipes, etc which are available, and will be set up on-site directly with your tutor. You can view it in a separate window and/or download it here. This link will be updated automatically to reflect any changes.

Lodging: is not included in the registration price. Due to changing dynamics, we're no longer able to offer participant billeting with local hosts, however there are more accommodation options than ever in the Lunenburg area and we may have some reasonable accommodation options available; we have reserved a 4br waterfront home just outside of town;  car recommended. You may also put yourself on the waiting list for a shared 4br house in the town of Lunenburg so contact us to learn more about these options.

Please explore some of these excellent resources to find the lodging that suits your budget and requirements:
• Lunenburg Campground
• Nova Scotia Tourism
• Airbnb Lunenburg Vacation Rentals
• TripAdvisor - Lunenburg

Meals: Boxwood is providing three meals during the week on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday all sourced from local organic producers. On Thursday we're organizing a food truck for a picnic at the Lunenburg Academy (not included in registration). For the remaining two meals during the week, support the many wonderful restaurants, eateries, and small independent grocers in Lunenburg the surrounding area! Jam sessions will be licensed for BYOB beer & wine only.

Transport: We're here to help coordinate transportation from Halifax and the Halifax Robert Stanfield  Airport (YHZ). We can either connect you with someone who is already driving down, or coordinate a shuttle at a reasonable price. Let us know how we can help get you here.

Thanks to our generous and thoughtful donors, Boxwood is pleased to continue its scholarship program. The Mike Grinter Memorial Young Artists Scholarship program offers tuition assistance for this year’s festival in Lunenburg, NS. Mike, a great friend and master craftsman dedicated his lifetime’s work to making flutes of the highest calibre from his workshops in Chewton, Ennis & Thailand. In memory of Mike, and in honour of his work, we're continuing our scholarship in his name. The 2024 scholarship is open to all applicants who will be under 30 years of age as of 1 August, 2024. Scholarships are open to players of all instruments as well as singers and dancers. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, scholarships may be awarded to cover a portion of the tuition. Those wishing to apply should send a letter describing their musical journey thus far and provide a sample of their playing or singing. Please email your application before 15 June 2024. Accommodation during the weekend is the responsibility of the recipient.

The Work Study option is a great way to reduce the cost of tuition, meet other participants and have fun while helping out. You'll work approximately 12 hours during the course of the week, about 2 hours/day in the late afternoon or evenings so as not to miss class time. Tasks are related to logistics, set-up, prep, and clean-up for events and catering. The $250 tuition deduction works out to roughly a $20/hour reduction in tuition cost, and the satisfaction of being part of the Boxwood Team; a friendly, easy-going bunch that moves fast to get things done, and back to the music. Work Study participants should plan to be present at the Lunenburg & District Fire Hall at 1pm on Sunday July 21 to get organized and oriented. Thanks for lending a hand to make it a great week! - see you then.

For In-Person Full Registrations, including Work-Study options, full payment is due no later than 4 weeks prior to the start of the festival (June 24, 2023). Sea Aires Choir and Boxwood Flute Choir may register up to 2-weeks prior. Cancellations requested 30 days in advance will receive a full refund less a $50 administrative fee.


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THANK YOU!

Our 2024 festival programming is made possible with support from Canadian Heritage, The Robinson Family Trust, Culture Ireland, The Municipality of the District of Lunenburg, and thoughtful contributions from individual patrons around the world. Thank You!