- Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class
Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class
Learn an Irish ballad or two a week with musician Jim McVeigh.
- Fall 2026 Dates: Wednesdays starting September 30, 2026 through November 18, 2026.
- Time: 7:00pm to 8:00pm Central Time
- Location: CelticMKE Center, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53213
- Cost: $25 per class plus $24 annual Irish Fest School of Music *Admin/Membership Fee for new students
- Focus: The class is open to musicians and non-musicians: people who just want to sing.
- Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Discover the soul of Irish ballad singing—from the parlor artistry of Count John McCormack to the rousing choruses of the Clancy Brothers. Whether you love spirited pub anthems, haunting laments, or sea shanties, this 8-week class explores classic Irish ballads through the history that shaped them and the vocal traditions that keep them alive. The craic will be mighty!
Open to everyone who loves Irish song—from shower singers and chorus belters to seasoned vocalists, as well as anyone who simply wants to listen and learn. No prior vocal training or note-reading skills are required; songs will be taught with an emphasis on listening, lyric sheets, and traditional phrasing.
For each featured ballad, we will break down:
- The Story & Setting: The real-life history, politics, and folklore of old Ireland embedded in the lyrics.
- Style & Interpretation: Traditional phrasing, subtle ornamentation, dialect notes, and rhythm.
- Song Delivery: Finding your own voice within the tradition and carrying the story with confidence.
The 8-week class will be structured by 8 ballad styles:
- Week 1 - Pub Songs
- Week 2 - Murder Ballads
- Week 3 - Sea Shanties
- Week 4 - Love Songs
- Week 5 - Rebel Songs
- Week 6 - 18th/19th Century Ballads
- Week 7 - Irish American Songs
- Week 8 - Emigration Songs
Note: Cancelation and Absence policy for group classes applies (https://irishfestschoolofmusic.com/Policies.htm).
*Note: IFSM Admin/Membership fee helps us to offset administrative costs of the School of Music and gives students two complimentary Milwaukee Irish Fest tickets as well as discounts on select Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School classes each year.
About Jim McVeigh
Jim McVeigh is from Belfast, Northern Ireland and has played extensively throughout Ireland and the British Isles. His background is in Irish traditional music playing Guitar and Bodhran with occasional outbursts of singing. Since coming to the United States in 1993 he has played in the Irish music scene throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Sign up for the first class of the Irish Ballad Sing and Play Class below!
We'll reach out to confirm classes for the rest of your term and send an invoice for the first month's remaining classes.
If you're a returning student, please contact the Irish Fest School of Music to schedule your place in the class.
