Mòd Chesapeake

Fàilte is furan oirbh gu Mòd Chesapeake, comharrachadh air òrain, cultar, agus dualchas na Gàidhlig.

A warm welcome to you all to The Chesapeake Mòd, a celebration of Scottish Gaelic song, culture, and heritage.

Saturday, 12 August 2023: 10 am – 5 pm (doors open at 9:00 am)
St. Vincent Pallotti High School, 113 St. Mary’s Place, Laurel, Maryland 20707
Mòd Chesapeake is sponsored by
Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir,
Gàidhlig Photomac, and
An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach
This event is generously supported by a grant from
An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach.

What to Expect

• At Mòd Chesapeake, you can learn Scottish Gaelic songs and stories and experience the performance of Gàidhlig song in the competition.  However, there is much more to the Mòd than workshops and competitions.
• We want to encourage people to learn Gàidhlig and use it in every part of their lives. Mòd Chesapeake is offering a Master Class for anyone who has not been in a Mòd but wants to improve their Gàidhlig singing, and, perhaps, be in the next Mòd.
• Gàidhlig is all about community, and Mòd Chesapeake is an opportunity to be included in a very passionate, inspiring community of Gàidhlig learners at all levels, from the fluent to people who are just starting out. There’s a place for you here. You may see old friends, but you are certain to meet new ones.
• If you are a learner of Gàidhlig, Mòd Chesapeake is an opportunity to use the language in a community, if only for one day.

The Schedule

Doors open at 9 am – Check-in, get some coffee or tea, and meet everyone.

Morning Workshops – Begin promptly at 10 am

10 am:
Introduction to Gàidhlig (beginners)
Gàidhlig Conversation (intermediate/advanced)

11 am:
Scottish Gaelic Songs – everyone will learn a couple songs that will be sung at the Song Sharing
Competing at a Mòd: What to Expect – (Want to sing at a future Mòd? This session is for you.)

The Competition – Starts at 1:30 pm following lunch

A communal Song Sharing will follow the competition and awards ceremony to conclude our day

Fees

Registering by 1 August:
General Admission: $25
Competitors: Additional $20

Registering after 1 August:
General Admission: $35
Competitors: Additional $20

The admission fee includes all workshops, the competition, snacks, and lunch.

You may register and pay the admission fee online by clicking the Register Here button below, or by sending a check made out to Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir to Sgoil Gàidhlig, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043. Competitors, please review the Additional Competitor Information for additional requirements.

Questions? Write to us at sgoilgaidhlig@gmail.com

• Register Here

  Our Adjudicators

  

  Scott MacIlleMhoire (Morrison)
  Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir
  Co-founder, Vice President, Ceannard Sgoile (Head of School)

  

  Liam Ó Caiside (Cassidy)
  President, An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach
  Board of Trustees, Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir
  Co-founder, Gàidhlig Photomac

What is a Mòd?

Originally the word Mòd referred to a court held by a Scottish Gaelic chief or lord for settling disputes over rent and other matters. Today it refers to a competition in Scottish Gaelic song, poetry, and prose. The first modern Royal National Mòd, the premier Gàidhlig cultural event in Scotland, was held in 1892 in the town of Oban.

The Royal National Mòd is a huge event that moves around Scotland each year, drawing thousands of people for a week of song, language, and music competitions. An Comunn Gàidhealach Ameireaganach —  American Scottish Gaelic Society (ACGA) established the U.S. National Mòd in 1988 along similar, if smaller, lines. ACGA built the U. S. National Mòd as a celebration of Scottish Gaelic language arts. These are arts that use the language as their medium: song, poetry, storytelling, writing, drama. At the Mòd, participants may compete for prizes and awards in several categories of Gàidhlig song, in reciting Gàidhlig poetry, and in storytelling in Gàidhlig. But many people attend for fun, friendship, and to share their interest in Scotland’s Gaelic culture.  ACGA also awards special prizes for original poetry and literature in Scottish Gaelic.

Mòd Chesapeake is one of the regional gatherings within the network of the ACGA and the U. S. National Mòd.

You may register and pay the admission fee online by clicking the Register Here button below, or by sending a check made out to Sgoil Gàidhlig Bhaile an Taigh Mhòir to Sgoil Gàidhlig, 5158 Ilchester Road, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043.  Competitors, please review the Additional Competitor Information