Dr Desmond Wilkinson
Lecturer

Introduction

My main research and performance activities comprise most of the musical genres popularly  understood as  'Celtic' folk music; but particularly Irish and Breton Music. Old timey and Quebecois traditions also fascinate me.  I  have an interest in the socio-polical and musical reality in areas of the Francophone diaspora -  including north Africa, and  I have eclectic tastes in music in general . My academic profile lies for the most part within the disciplines of  ethnomusicology and history . As a  performer I have toured widely both as a soloist, in duo with significant musicians from the Irish tradition such as Mairtin O'Connor, Gerry O'Connor and the group CRAN. I have participated in many of what are popularly understood as  'world music projects' both as  performer and (on occassion) coordinator.

Background

I joined the International Centre for Music Studies at the University of Newcastle in September 2005 as a Lecturer - my teaching activites  both in undergraduate and post-graduate reflect my research interests as above and my performance skill set. I had previously worked atthe University of Limerick and the University of Concordia in Montreal. I have been a professional musician since the late 1980s and have travelled extensively in this role throughout the Northern Hemispere. I am regarded internationally as a leading exponent of the 'timber flute' ( simple system wooden flute) and the tin whistle. I also sing in the idiom and play  fiddle, guitar, bagpipes and clarinet as second instruments. A qualified 2nd level teacher  I have worked in a variety of Secondary and grammar schools in Ireland and for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland as an 'artist in the community' during a particulary fractious period of the  'troubles' in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Head of Performance, BMus in Folk and Traditional Music
  • Instructor on Ensemble modules
  • Teach  flute, tin whistle and singing - repertory styles and technique. 
  • Module leader of Music Business module Sept 2005 until May 2009
  • Current DPD of masters in Music - also teach on this and the MA program. Post-graduate supervision.
  • Undergraduate programme Module leader:TOTI, Entrez dans la danse, and The Scope of Irish Music.
  • External examiner for Galway Universities PG diploma in Traditional Music Studies

Qualifications

  • B Ed, Queens University Belfast
  • MA in Ethnomusicology, Queens University Belfast
  • PhD in Ethnomusicology, University of Limerick

Previous Positions

  • Northern Ireland Arts council: Traditional music 'Artist in the community'.
  • Professional performer and arranger. Recording artist.
  • Part time Lecturer, Mary Immaculate college, University of Limerick.
  • Lecturer in  Celtic  Music studies at Concordia University Montreal, Canada.
  • Music teacer and Lecturer in English, ENSAAT, Lannion, Unversity of Rennes,France.

 

Memberships

  • PRS-IMRO - Performing Rights Society and Irish Music Rights Organisation
  • DEIS Committee: Grant awarding body Irish Arts Council
  • Committee Scientifique de l'Universite Bretagne Sud

Languages

I speak French and have some knowledge of Irish.

Informal Interests

Walking, gardening, ecolgical consturucton, travelling....some cycling ....some table tennis. Listening to and playing music.

Research Interests

  • Traditional music performance (flute, vocals , divers instruments)
  • Ethnomusicology
  • Musical traditions of Ireland, Brittany and North America.
  •  Irish Studies
  • 'Celtic'  studies, music and identity - The Francophone diaspora
  • World musics performance

Other Expertise

  • Experienced Performance project coordinator.
  • Experienced teacher and Educator both 2nd and 3rd level.
  • Experienced professional performer

Current Work

Recording projects:
*Cran. Traditional Irish musi and song in English and Gaelic.
*Old Timey and Irish Music - exploration of connections (supported by Arts Council of Ireland
* Solo album

Performance and touring

Ongoing research on  Traditional music - In particular the rea of 'Celtitude' and 'Bretonitude'. Publication (Pendragon Press) sceduled for completion in  December 2012

Future Research

  • Suitable environments and strategies for the passing on of vernacular folk music
  • Traditional Music in Quebec: Verncular folk music a liminal space for cultural negotiation
  • Berber/Amazight culture and its evolving role/importance in the Algerian state.
  • Breton music - adaptability of 'the raw bar' (the vernacular tradition) in an evolving social context. 

Postgraduate Supervision

Involved together with Dr  Simon Mc Kerrell in the supervision of  MA candidates.

Have acted as internal examiner for 3 Phd theses and 2 MA's to date.

Have acted as external supervisor (Phd)on one occasion to date during my time at Newcastle.

Continuing my role in Post Graduate supervision as DPD on M.Mus with effect from May 2011. 

Esteem Indicators

  • Received an award from the Irish Arts council for a performance project celebrating the links between Old Timey and Irish music/song.
  • Member of the 'commitée scientifique' of the UBS (Université de Bretagne Sud
  • Recorded work is featured on the Smithsonian institutes current 'folkways'series (Northern Ireland).
  • Continuing Performance activities take me regularly to prestigious venues on the European continent.
  • European consultant for bi-annual Montreal international festival of Celtic Music.
  • On the central contributory  team of the 'Companion to Irish Music' ( 2011 -ED Vallely Fintan). The major reference work that is the central pillar of Irish Music studies- currently a world wide phenomonen.

.

Recent work includes 2 major cultural visits involving Irish Musicians and Artists, a) Carnaval d'hiver Québec (2004) b)festival de danse traditionnel, François,Martinique (2005)(Fr) Member of Irish Traditional Music Archive, Merrion Square Dublin

Funding

  • Over the last 8 years I have received a total of 55,000 euros from the IHRSS (Irish institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences),the Irish Arts council, and the Department of foriegn affairs(culture Ireland)
  • The 3 principal projects involved,
  • a)the publication of aspects of my research,
  • b) Arts projects coordination and performance
  • c)travel awards enabling me to lead two separate groups of performers/sculptors to represent Ireland at international events in Québec and Martinique.
  • d)CETL - I  received funds £3000 from the CETL project at Newcastle for a performance/pedagogic project involving vocalists from Brittany(France).

 

  • Awarded bursary from Culture Ireland (March 2011) to a value of 5000 euros to take performance project (Buffalo Castle) to Frostburg state University's keynote music event September (14-17th 2011)

 

Keywords

Performance, Flute and fiddle, world music genres, ethnomusicology. Vocal traditions.

Undergraduate Teaching

I currently lead 3 Academic modules each year (Socio- historical options on Celticism, Traditions of these Islands and music or 'Irish Traditional music') and am involved in the assessment procedure of the Music Business ( with Northumbria University) module. In addition, I teach Ensemble performance skills to years 1 and 2 of the BMus Folk and traditional music cohort. I am also a co-ordinator of performance events assocciated directly (or indirectly) with the B.Mus in FTM. I currently have 7 students as 1:1 tutees on flute and Tin whistle and have a general role in consulting students on repertoire and skills development. I contribute lectures to other modules as deemed necesary.

Postgraduate Teaching

Currently DPD of the M.Mus. I  take a teaching role in the delivery of the CPR (Creative Practice as Research module ) and together with Dr  Simon McKerrell I deliver the teaching and supervision in the advanced Folk music/ethnomusicology component. Have acted as internal examiner for 4 Phd theses and 3 MA's to date. Have acted  as an external supervisor (Phd)on two  occasions to date during my time at Newcastle.