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The North Shore Celtic Ensemble

Location: Harrison Beach Stage (right in the centre of town)

Time: Saturday, July 13th @ 1:00pm

Cost: Nothing! This is on our free beach stage, but we do hope you purchase a $2 button at the show to help keep the stage this way!

The North Shore Celtic Ensemble has a dual mandate: to inspire youth to do more and go further with music, and to use music to build and strengthen community connections. What started in 1998 with a Celtic focus is now a spirited, no-boundaries exploration of various styles of fiddle music. The result is a full-spectrum music experience that defies labels and spans conventional genres. Original compositions draw on Celtic, classical, jazz and folk influences, along with creative arrangements of more traditional Celtic tunes. The North Shore Celtic Ensemble have released seven CDs, and has toured across North America, Europe, and China, performed regularly for local concerts and festivals, and has supported a number of charitable programs through their Community Concert Series. More than just a performing group, the North Shore Celtic Ensemble is a meeting place for youth to explore and share music, and is led by fiddler Gabriel Dubreuil (Early Spirit, Collage Trad).

You got questions, we got answers! Have a read of the following to gain an idea of what the night will look like. 

Where will the show be?

On the Beach Stage right in the centre of town at the very end of Hot Springs Road. 

How long will the concert be?

Our Beach Performances are typically one 40-45 min set. 

Will I be able to grab a drink and a snack at the show?

The beach is BYONAD (Bring Your Own Non-Alcoholic Drink). This is a public access event free of gates and fencing. We encourage you to bring a water bottle or non-alcoholic drinks. You are welcome to bring food too, but we also recommend checking out all the different restaurants in town too and help support the local economy. 

Will I be able to buy a CD or talk to the artist after the show?

It depends on the artist, but generally, yes. We will have an area set up just for this, but it depends on how comfortable each artist feels about it and if they bring merch to sell. We usually find out about merch the day of, but we will update this when we know more. If merch is available, We are able to accept cash, debit or credit. We prefer card over cash.

Will I be able to sit beside my friends?

Yes, it’s an open area and in the public so you can set up your blanket or chair anywhere you like. We do ask that you be mindful of others around you and not setup chairs right up front and block people behind you. 

Will there be bathrooms available?

Yes, bathrooms with either hand sanitizer or soap and water will be available. There is the public bathroom right on the beach by the lagoon as well as the bathroom in the Memorial Hall which will be open on weekends. 

Where do I park?

We highly recommend parking in the overflow lot by the Village Office at the corner of Hot Springs Road and Miami River Drive. It’s free and not that far of a walk to all our sites(2-4 mins). There is parking along the streets on Harrison, but the ones closest will have paid parking in effect and spots are hard to find. 

Will seating be provided?

Not for the beach! Think of it like a day at the beach, but with great live music playing. We encourage people to bring blankets and low-back chairs to sit in. 

What do I need to bring?

We recommend everyone bring a chair or blanket, of course, a water bottle, a hat, sunscreen and maybe some snacks! Some change is good, so you can buy your Beach Stage Button easily ($2) but we take card too! And dress for the weather. There is shade at the beach, and we provide a tent for some coverage, but once it’s filled, it’s filled. Pack like you’re spending the day at the beach!

Gabe's Gibsons Fiddle Camp is back for its fourth year! The 2024 camp is happening from Friday, July 26th to Sunday, July 28th at Chaster House on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Gibsons, BC.

Here's what's on offer:

• Friday, July 26th kicks off with a house concert at 7 pm in Bonniebrook.
  
• Saturday, July 27th and Sunday, July 28th will feature workshops at Chaster House, right by the waterfront across from scenic Chaster Park. These days will include classes and an open-to-all outdoor house concert.
  

The camp has three streams led by three instructors:

• Accompanists (guitar, piano, ukulele, etc)

• Intermediate/mixed ensemble (for melodic instrumentalists)

• Advanced ensemble (for melodic instrumentalists)

This camp welcomes musicians of all ages who are keen on ensemble playing and learning new fiddle tunes and sets. It's focused more on adults and teenagers, and while kids are allowed, they need a minimum of 2 years of playing experience and must be accompanied by a parent.

A word of advice: book accommodations and ferry reservations soon as they tend to fill up quickly. Ferry reservations for those dates are already filling fast!

Register Here

Let's meet the 2024 Camp Instructors:

Trish Horrocks

Trish draws on a wide variety of experience as a teacher, performer, and lifelong student of music. She has taught widely at music camps and workshops across Western Canada, and spent many years teaching at remote fly-in communities in the Northwest Territories. Trish believes that every decision made by an educator needs to be made with the student’s joyful success as the ultimate goal. This philosophy has shaped the way she writes arrangements for student ensembles: the end result is music that is fun to play, sounds great, and reinforces important musical skills. Trish holds a BMus from Western University in London, Ontario. She has also completed several units of Suzuki teacher training as well as as the Suzuki Principles in Action course.

Geoff Horrocks

Geoff has a special interest in the educational needs of the adult student, and is also widely known across Canada as a premier accompanist for fiddle players. Pianists can gather many interesting chord ideas by listening to his unique accompaniment style on the

recordings found on this site. Geoff’s exciting chord colours are often the foundation of the ensemble arrangements we create for string ensembles. He spent several years teaching piano and fiddle at music camps all over Canada and continues to be in demand as a clinician. In addition to piano, Geoff plays fiddle, mandolin, and guitar and sings.

Gabriel Dubreuil (violin)

Gabriel Dubreuil is a musical polymath: a fiddler, composer, multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and more. Graduating from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Jazz performance and American Roots music, Gabriel's talent expanded further. He's not just a musician but a driving force behind Early Spirit, a Celtic-rock band. Their second studio album, "The Hollow Tree," showcases collaborative brilliance—lyrics by Knutson, fiery fiddle parts by Dubreuil, and engaging bass lines and percussion. While rooted in folk and tradition, this album delves into fresh influences and exciting collaborations.

Beyond his band commitments, Gabriel serves as the Executive Artistic Director for Vancouver’s North Shore Celtic Ensemble, nurturing the city's budding talents. His musical journey spans across North America, playing with renowned artists such as Burna Boy, X-Ambassadors and many more, performing with folk music's finest, and shaping the next generation of musical talents in Vancouver.

Camp fees:

Camp fee + concert (after june 1)	$185.00
Early Bird registration +concert (before june 1)	$160.00
NSCE member  Early Bird  (before june 1)	$150.00
Saturday only	$100.00
House concert only	$25.00

Schedule:

Day 1 - Friday, July 26 (house in Bonniebrooke, Gibsons)

7:00 - House concert

Day 2 - Saturday July 27 (Chaster House, Gibsons)

10:30-12:30 - Classes

12:30-1:30 - Lunch

1:30-3:00 Class

3-3:30 Break

3:30-5 Class

5:30-late - Outdoor potluck picnic and Jam!

Day 3 - Sunday July 28  (Chaster House, Gibsons)

10-11 - Class

11:15-12:15 - Class

12:15-1:45 - Lunch at the beach

1:45-3:00 - Beach jam!

3:00 - pack up

Testimonials from 2023:

“Thanks for a great gathering of violin enthusiasts and for boosting my skills forward.”

“Gabriel brought fantastic energy and enthusiasm to this weekend camp on the Sunshine Coast. Together with instructors Daniel Lapp and Craig McGregor, he created a fun and relaxed atmosphere that put everyone at ease, providing both beginner players and advanced fiddlers and musicians with the opportunity to learn and grow musically.”

“I had lots of fun at this camp. Instructors were great and so was the group. I took away several useful learnings after the weekend, and enjoyed the jam sessions. Gabriel and Bobby were welcoming hosts. I'd recommend this camp for folks who love fiddle tunes and who can make it out to the Sunshine Coast.”

Register Here

The third annual NSCE Fiddle Camp is a four-day camp for beginner violinists looking to explore the rich tradition of Celtic fiddle music in a fun, interactive, and creative way. Students will meet for four hours each day to learn, play, and build community together. At the end of the week, players will have an opportunity to perform what they have learned for their families.

• Ages 7-12

• For players with no previous experience or less than one year of experience

• Players learn the fundamentals of playing the violin, viola, or cello & are given an introduction to the Celtic fiddle tradition

• Players traditionally learn to play by ear using call-and-response listening exercises and games

• Players discover the importance of musicianship and ensemble through interactive games and activities

• Students will participate in group games, sports, walking field trips, arts & crafts, and other activities

• Upon completion of the NSCE Fiddle Camp, players will be ready to join the NSCE Intro to Fiddling group class in September 2024

Join Us for an Unforgettable Musical Adventure! - Embark on an exhilarating journey into the heart of Celtic fiddle music at the third annual NSCE Fiddle Camp in beautiful North Vancouver!

Discover the Magic of Celtic Fiddling - Dive into the vibrant world of Celtic melodies, rhythms, and traditions in an immersive four-day experience designed especially for aspiring violinists.

Ignite Your Passion - From absolute beginners to budding virtuosos, our camp offers a welcoming space for all entry-level musicians wanting to explore, create, and flourish under the guidance of expert instructors from the renowned North Shore Celtic Ensemble.

Forge Lifelong Connections - Immerse yourself in a supportive community of fellow music enthusiasts, where collaboration and camaraderie flourish alongside the music.

Experience the Thrill of Performance - Showcase your newfound skills and musicality in a heartwarming finale performance, sharing the joy of Celtic fiddling with friends and family.

Ready to unleash your inner fiddler? Secure your spot today and let the melodies of the Celtic tradition sweep you away at NSCE Fiddle Camp 2024! Register through this event here!