We will be offering three classes on the pennywhistle - one on May 5 and one on May 26, both meeting at the Cherry Hills Library, and one on June 2 (tentative), meeting at the Los Lunas Library. Students may attend one or all of these classes - the more practice we have, the better! These classes are in preparation for attending the
Albuquerque Folk Festival on Saturday, June 19th. Mr. Andy Moss, a local musician and experienced pennywhistle instructor, will be presenting a beginner's pennywhistle/ tin whistle workshop at 11:00 am, and I would really enjoy having a large representation from Medieval Living!!! But even if you can't make it to the festival, I hope you can make it to the classes.
The only thing different with these classes is the requirement for students to have their own key-of-D pennywhistle. Students may purchase their own whistle from their own source, or I will order them in advance of the class (which will either require a pre-payment or a very sincere promise to pay for it at the time of the class). Locally, I know that Apple Mountain Music usually has a nice selection of pennywhistles at a reasonable price. They are also available online starting at around $6 or $7 plus the cost of shipping - the shipping cost for an individual pennywhistle is almost as much as the instrument itself, which is why I am offering to purchase several at once, thereby lowering the cost per item.
The whistle I would prefer to buy for the students is the Clark Sweetone Pennywhistle available in D only - this is the first conical bore pennywhistle to have been made with a plastic mouthpiece - the combination of traditional workmanship with modern technology. Cost per whistle would be $10.00 including shipping, and I can have them within a few days. However, if students want to purchase something different, that is fine with me - just as long as they are in the key of D.
Students interested in ordering a whistle in advance, please contact me at
scott@medieval-living.com to make payment arrangements. I want to have the order placed no later then April 25th. If you are coming to the chainmail classes, bring your payment for your whistle then - either cash or check made out to "Medieval Living".
I also encourage parents to checkout the other activities available at the
Albuquerque Folk Festival . . . lots of fun and educational activities.