What can I say but that one week was not long enough?
- M.S.: adult CeltFest student
CeltFest Vancouver Island is a unique Celtic Festival, offering both a Summer School and a Concert Series.
Printable CeltFest General Information Page PDF Word
Summer School
Concept and General Information:
In an inspiringly beautiful setting in the state-of-the-art learning facilities of Vancouver Island University (formerly Malaspina University-College), Nanaimo, The Pacific Institute of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts provides learning programs in a full range of Celtic musical arts. Instruction is delivered by a world class faculty with numerous distinctions and accomplishments to their credit. At the same time, the school embraces a relaxed approach, providing individuals, bands, and other groups the opportunity to train individually and also all together. Training, jamming and socializing outside of class is encouraged. This has proven especially effective at building the competencies and synergies of bands, ensembles, and dance troupes.
Students may stay on-campus (recommended for the total experience. To reserve go to: Celt Fest 2009 Stay & Eat.pdf), or may be day students. It is recommended that day students eat lunch at the VIU cafeteria and join in with on-campus students and staff. Delicious buffet meals for CeltFest participants are available by be pre-ordering, see Celt Fest 2009 Meal Plans.pdf. Day students, their family and friends in the community are encouraged to take part in the evening events (as below). We don't want you missing out on all the evening fun!
Our program is family friendly. Many opt to take part-time courses such as song, pilates or ceilidh or step dance while other family members are in their classes. If you'd like to try one out, see the Celt Office during the week and we can arrange a drop-in.
Most children staying in residence attend with their own adults in tow, however, with pre-approval of the Principals, Unaccompanied Minors are welcome to attend the summer school. There may be a nominal daily charge to provide supervision and activities outside class. Limited space is provided for these students, so it is best to contact the CeltFest office soonest to discuss.
Are you sending your child to CeltFest as a Day Camper? Child day students must be supervised when outside of class. However, if you as a parent or guardian are not available to supervise your child during lunch hour, we ask that you call us to let us know and we can make arrangements to ensure your child has appropriate supervision outside of class time. That is no problem.
How the Program works:
The multi-disciplinary approach taken at the school allows students of all ages and levels to take more than one discipline if they wish. Priority for class placement is given to full time students.
NEW! As of 2009, CeltFest offers both Daytime subjects each weekday (8:30-4:00), and also Evening workshops. Evening courses on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays between 4:15 and 7:15 pm.
Therefore, as a Full time Student, you choose either a Daytime or Evening Major, but you can do electives in either...or go for both!
Full-time study (recommended). Students choose one major subject, or alternatively, one major subject and up to two minor electives. A typical day offers approximately 5 1/2 hours of instruction time, beginning at 8:30 and typically ending at 4:00, with lunch break from 12:15-1:30. NOTE: Though we do our best to avoid this, If you take minor electives offered during the day, you may be forfeiting class time in your major subject if you are choosing subjects offered in the day time.. More details are listed on the Registration Form.
Part-time study: is available, subject to the permission of instructors. Priority for class scheduling and student placement is given to full-time students.
Plan to Relax, Perform, Jam, Socialize or Chill Out each evening on campus...
There are student performance opportunities each night: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with the goodbye
party on Thursday. After concert performances, there is a ceilidh (Gaelic for gathering
each evening, allowing an informal open stage and a chance to do some ceilidh dancing! We provide sound lights, a tech, a dance floor it's a ceilidh! Each night the informal ceilidh stage
in the cafeteria is open to all musicians and dancers, individuals and groups.
These CeltFestival Ceilidhs are free to the students/nominal admission at the door to the public. Doors open at 7:00 on Monday, 9:00 on Tuesday, Wed and Thursday. Refreshments are available.
Preceding these ceilidhs are two special events on campus this year: Old Blind Dogs, the supergroup from Scotland is coming to perform their own show on Tuesday night at VIU Theatre. The show on Wednesday this year is a scholarship fundraiser concert by the talented Ontario family, The Ballagh Bunch at the VIU cafeteria.(only $5 admission to registered students). CeltFest students receive a reduced ticket price when tickets are ordered on their registration form before the deadline date.
Looking for leisure activities on/off campus? Have a tennis or beach volleyball game (courts next to residence), go swimming in the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre (steps away from campus), or go ocean kayaking (minutes away by car), or shopping or golfing, or... the choices are many! Tourism Nanaimo information will be available at the CeltFest office on campus during the school.
For a list of Day trips from Nanaimo: Click Here to view a page of activities available in the area.
Practical Matters:
Parking at VIU Campus: Download parking information (PDF)
Check in times. Registration and pick-up of student packages and pre-ordered T-shirts and Concerts is 10:30-5:30 on Sunday, the first day of the summer school session. Those coming for 1/2 week sessions, or those who cannot make this time should go to the Celt Office at the Theatre lobby on campus.
Dinner in the cafeteria (by pre-order) is between 5:30 and 6:30, welcome assembly and orientation to follow for all students
Check out of dorms: by noon Friday. We ask instructors to dismiss their class early that day to accommodate checkout so that we can present certificates and say our good-byes from 11:30-1:15 over lunch. Families and friends, as always are welcome during these communal gatherings!
Regular Day class times are between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:10 pm; weekdays. There may be classes and special interest activities to follow. Day classes are generally a 5-block day: 3 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, and sometimes a block 6 to follow. Evening class times are between 4:15 and 7:30 pm. Those who enrol in Evening workshops are entitled to 2 hrs of their major class, and may also participate in Ceilidh dance or Celtic Song as a 3rd hour of a complimentary offering.
Placement into subjects will be according to class space availability and on a first-come, first-served basis, with preference given to Full Time students. Day and Evening.
Supervision & School Rules: Students under the age of 19 are to be supervised at all times when not in class. Please contact us in advance if your child requires supervision.
Consent and Waiver forms are required to be filed for all students. Medical Fitness forms are required for minor students and are optional for adults. Student rules of conduct are reinforced at all times during the school.
Early Bird Deadlines:
By May 8: enrol to receive tuition discounts.
Final Deadlines:
By June 19: book VIU Village Accommodations and or/ Meals.
By June 19: Summer School registration cut-off (sooner if classes fill).
Note: Concert ticket discounts to students deadline also.
Additional Information:
Schedule of Fees (Scroll down to the right section)
Click here to learn where to stay
Click here to learn what to bring
Click here to learn how to get to Celtfest
Registered Participants in the School will receive a registration package prior to arrival at CeltFest with reminders of the above and additional timely information to what is posted here.
Concert Series
There are performances and social gatherings every weeknight of CeltFest week. CeltFest students receive a reduced ticket price when tickets are ordered on their registration form. It is recommended that if you are planning to attend any concert that requires tickets that these be purchased well in advance of performance. Tickets go on sale to the public in April. All previous CeltFest performances to date have been sold out prior to the shows. Don't be disappointed!
For all information, including where to get tickets, on everything from the Monday night Student Ceilidh to the Sunset & Stars Gala finale: Click Here.
Click Here for a Celtfest 2009 Event Summary