Gaelic College to offer summer school in US

Posted: 30 Dec 2003

By JULIE COLLINS - Cape Breton Post
ST. ANN'S - Since it was founded in 1938 by Rev. A.W.A. MacKenzie as a school devoted to the study and preservation of the Gaelic language, Celtic arts and culture, the Gaelic College has welcomed students from around the world, a major portion coming from the United States.

Director Sam MacPhee has been working with the Department of Education in Vermont and this summer will offer the Gaelic college's first satellite school at Shelburne Farms in Vermont. The only institution of its kind on North America, students from the world over travel to the Gaelic College to study.

"We've received approval from the board and everything is in place for the first satellite school to begin in August," said a delighted Sam MacPhee.

Shelburne Farms, located 10 km from Burlington, Vermont, is a not-for-profit education facility on the Vanderbilt Estates.

"It is an absolutely wonderful site for this type of school," MacPhee noted. "The administration and registration will be handled from the Gaelic College at St. Ann's. We will also supply highly qualified instructors. All the students need do is show up. We've already had inquiries, so filling the seats won't be a problem."

The satellite school will be equipped to handle between 100 and 150 beginner and intermediate students. The senior classes will only be available at the Gaelic College in St. Ann's.

"This new satellite school will help continue the growth of the Gaelic College and the preservation of the Gaelic language, music and culture."

The Gaelic College has been putting up record numbers over the past few years for its regular summer school sessions, and 2003 was no different. Top-calibre instructors offer programs in Scottish traditional disciplines including Gaelic language and song, music, dance and crafts.

More than 600 students took part in classes offered this year, another record for the college.

MacPhee was a bit surprised at the numbers because a lot of areas were down this past season.

"Our situation was no different when it came to visitors and tourism. Our overall visitor numbers were down but the student numbers were increased. This is a welcome trend, because the classes are our bread and butter."

He expects there will be about three weeks of down time early in the new year.

"We will begin in earnest to plan for the year's events, hiring instructors and getting information ready for the various courses and workshops."

The Gaelic College Pipe Band is busy during the winter months. The college is also host to numerous conferences, meetings and conventions.

Once March break rolls around, things will be in full swing at the college. Between 125 and 150 register for March break courses and usually all stay in residence.

"We always seem to get a big snowstorm each March break, so we make sure we are prepared."

MacPhee, who took over as director in 1992, said the past year has been a good one even with the drop in visitor numbers.

"The satellite school is an excellent step forward for the Gaelic college. Our festivals, conventions and elder hostels are at an all time high. The college continues to be involved with Celtic Colors, things are going great."