Hitting the Right Note for Our Town

Article from the Knaresborough Post
25/11/11

Traditional Irish and Celtic folk music shop, Flaithulach (fla-hoo-luck) on Knaresborough High Street has attracted lots of interest since it opened its doors to the public in April this year. Selling musical instruments music accessories, CDs, books, tutorial materials and gifts, owner, Heather Emmett is delighted to be in the town and told the Knaresborough Post that not only has interest been building slowly locally, but there's repeated interest and support from further afield too.

"We have people coming in not only from the local area but from Harrogate and beyond, Durham, Teesside and the North of England."

"I came to Knaresborough to start this business after spending time visiting Ireland having taken up the Uilleann Pipes. I so much enjoyed the Celtic music and community approach to music over there and the fact that music is readily accessible to all ages, I was keen to start something like that here in Knaresborough, although obviously on a small scale. Ironically, my Granddad, being of Irish descent, started the first 'Paddy's Night' in Knaresborough with the St Patrick's Ball and it turned into quite a large community event at the town hall."

"I think the community will lend itself well to this and people are willing to open their minds to music here. I've had both children and people in the 80s taking up instruments for the first time having discovered the shop. People have also said the shop has rekindled their passions for music."

Heather's career has always focused on music and sound. She learnt to play the saxophone when she was seven and is a fully qualified music teacher, with an MA (distinction), PG Cert (distinction), PG Dip Mus, and Certificate of teaching from the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). Her work has taken her into a wide variety of roles within sound design and music including working on TV documentaries, commercials, games and films. She has worked freelance for the USA and Canada as well as travelling extensively accross the UK and Ireland. Before opening the shop, Heather did session work for international percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. Heather has also written and published two books.

Instruments on sale at the shop include acoustic guitars, concertinas, whistles, Celtic pipes, bodhrans, harmonicas, recorders, ocarinas, wooden fifes suitable for Irish and folk music...Heather also sells bouzoukis, mandolins, banjos and ukuleles. The business is an official dealer for popular brands such as Lag, Ozark, Tony Dixon, Sweetheart, Elfsong Whistles and Suzuki Harmonicas and also retails a wide selection of top brand strings and accessories such as Martin, D'Addario, Shubb, Rico, Vandoren etc.

Tuition is available during the day and evenings, with after-school sessions a popular choice for young musicians.

Visit Flaithulach at 12A High Street, Knaresborough or call 07952 834994
or email info@flaithulach.co.uk