GRANITE SKYES
Newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire
Having Fun with Scottish Music
Volume 12, Number 9 -- May 2000

May 21 Gathering
Sunday Afternoon, 1-5 pm.
Tyler Matteson, Leader
Annichiaricho Theatre, S. Main St & Thompson Sts,
Concord, N.H.

Approximate schedule:
1:00 - 3:00  May's tunes
3:00 - 3:30  Refreshments & Jamming
3:30 - 5:00  Requests & Solos


================================

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
  -- by Tyler Matteson

I have chosen two types of tunes to present, one of which has not
been included in any SRSNH collection before, and another of
which we have only a few examples: a slow reel and a set of
"Border reels."

What I call Border reels are probably more accurately described as
"tunes in 3/2." They are ancient dance tunes (the oldest here is
circa 1733) and I have found that they make wonderful tunes for
Strip the Willow or any other loosely phrased dance. The 3/2 time
signature may seem intimidating, but try counting it as a waltz
(1,2,3) first and over-emphasizing the downbeat. (_1_,2,3)

I learned Go to Berwick, Johnny from Mike MacNintch, Pipe
Major of the Manchester Pipe Band. It is on his CD "The
Chanter's Song" and can also be found in F in the Gow Collection
of Scottish Dance Music. It is unusual because it has three parts,
and it is the only tune from the Borders that I know of that has an
odd number of parts. Bob and John is also know as Bobbing Joan
and I also found it in the Gow Book. The last border reel is called
The Goon Switch. My brother Myles never seems to find the "off"
position when he is in goon mode.

One of the great things about Border tunes is that they may be
played at just about any tempo. Berwick Johnny works nicely as a
smooth march at about 65-75 beats per minute. At the other end it
can be played as blistering reel (about 140 pbm.) Dance tempo
falls somewhere between 95 and 110.

The slow reel is just a reel played slowly. I fell on to the idea after
hearing so many slow airs that were pretty but not particularly
powerful. I found that it is sometimes hard to make a tune moving
without rhythm. A slow air can be moving if the listener is attentive;
then then he falls into a "trance" and when the tune is finished, he
"wakes up." This  is a tried and true method and a slow air played
well in this manner will more often than not win a competition. A
slow reel can have the same effect, except that because there is a
rhythm to follow, it can take you somewhere much more easily. The
tune I have submitted, The Unlucky Piper, is the first slow reel I
wrote, and will be on Clan Du's forthcoming album.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  -- by Sandy Lafleur, Secretary

Highlights from the April 12th Meeting. Note: Members wishing
a complete copy of the Minutes should contact the Secretary.

Gala 2000 - After much discussion it was decided that a "Call for
Proposals" would be issued to solicit ideas/plans from the
membership and others for an upcoming Gala concert. This concert
could be either this fall or at another time to be determined by the
person putting together the proposal. Margaret offered to word the
"Call for Proposals" which went out with the April mailing.

The Board discussed our upcoming Annual Business Meeting
which will be held at the May 21st gathering from 2:30 to 3:30.
The Meeting Agenda went out with the April mailing. The new
Board of Directors will be announced at this meeting. Ballots went
out April 14th to allow plenty of time for their return. Either mail
them or bring them with you to the gathering. Don't forget to vote!

Next Meetings: Wednesday, May 31st. All meetings begin at
7:30 p.m. and are held at the N.H. School of Scottish Arts in
Manchester, N.H. Please contact the Secretary if you need
directions. These meetings are open to all members.


NEW TUNES UPDATE
  -- by the Editor

Several people have written the Editor about Steve Cushing's tune
last month (Lament for Losing the Lottery). Steve offers this
comment: "My tune is a strathspey and it took the strathspey
category in the 1998 Scottish FIRE competition. Titles CAN be
misleading." Kathy Selby of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers
offers this explanation of the title: "Steve Cushing was lamenting
losing the lottery to get into Valley of the Moon 1998. He played it
for us all at VOM 99 (to which he won the lottery). As per usual,
he entertained us first with a hilarious monologue about how the loss
of the lottery led to the creation of this tune."


REVIEWER WANTED
  -- by Gail Birch

Maggie's Music sent me two CD's of Bonnie Rideout's newest
release called Scottish Fire. If someone would write a short article
giving your opinion of the CD, a copy is yours to keep. The article
should include why you like or dislike it, what you think of its
technical quality, its overall sound quality, and whether you would
recommend it for listening, learning tunes or techniques, or
whatever. Please direct a request for the CD to the editor; the first
comer receives the album.


TARTAN THANKS
  -- Susan and Frank Woodward

A major thank you to everyone who participated in our Tartan Day
Concert in Bristol, N.H. last month. The high quality of everyone's
contribution and the joy with which it was delivered was palpable.
The special pleasure about the concert for me was that so many of
us turned out and played with such enjoyment. It felt like all the
SRSNH is supposed to be, great fun with Scottish music and an
audience that joined that spirit. A special thank you goes to
Ernestine Firth whose hard work and sponsorship on behalf of the
Family of Bruce made it all possible. Here is an excerpt from the
kind letter of thanks she sent.

"I am deeply indebted to all of you for sharing your talents with us!
Please extend my thanks in abundance to each and all for coming
up here and taking part in this _major event_ for us! You are all so
talented, and many of the audience have remarked on how you
showed you _enjoyed_ being part of the group. You showed a
warmth that couldn't help but spill over to the audience. We hope
you were pleased with how things went and that you, too, consider
the "Gala Scottish Tartan Day Concert" a _great success_! With
heartfelt thanks, Ernestine B. Firth."


SRSNH MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN _CELEBRATE NEW HAMPSHIRE_
  -- by Sylvia Miskoe

_Celebrate New Hampshire_, the re-creation of the _Smithsonian
Folk Life Festival_ that took place in Washington, D.C. last year,
will be held at the Hopkinton Fair Grounds in Contoocook, N.H.,
from June 7-11. The Festival will showcase New Hampshire
culture, crafts, ways of life and music. Several SRSNH members
will be taking part: Wilson Langlois, Megan Marsh, Sylvia
Miskoe, Justine Paul, Ryan Thomson, Brendan Block, Harvey
Tolman, and Gordon and Lezlie Webster.

Sessions begin each day at 10 am. On Friday and Saturday
evenings there will be dancing and concerts. For more information
call 1-800-215-5181 or see the web page at www.celebratenh.org.

Editor's addition: Ryan Thomson writes that, "Besides playing
with Sylvia, I've also been asked to play for Irish dances in the
children's area with Regina Delaney."


MAILING COORDINATOR RETIRING
  -- by Barbara McOwen

The June mailing will be my last mailing, as I'm retiring as Mailing
Coordinator as well as Music Director (mostly because I'll be away
a lot next year). As Database Manager, I will continue to send
labels each month to the new Mailing Coordinator. Also a
reminder: I am also retiring as Email Newsletter Editor -- the June
eNewsletter will be my last. Again, as Database Manager, I will
email each month's newsletter email addresses to the new  Email
Newsletter Editor, if any. The Board will have to let me know who
the new Mailings Coordinator and Email Manager are, by
September 1.


EDITOR'S MAIL POLICY
  -- by Gail Birch, Editor

It has come to my attention that three email addresses have been
circulating among people trying to communicate with the editor.
This creates a lot of confusion when I assemble newsletter articles,
and I often must sift through four or five versions of the same
correspondence. To separate what you want printed from personal
correspondence, please observe the following policy:

1.  Email addressed to me at gailicwear1@juno.com I treat as
business or personal correspondence. If it is not from someone I know 
personally, I automatically DELETE it, unread. Please do not send PR 
or newsletter items to this address -- they won't get printed.

2. Please DO send articles for the newsletter to
editorsrsnh@juno.com. Anything sent to this address may end up in
print, so if you don't want that to happen, you must say so if you
send it here.

3. My husband's address is jdbirch@juno.com. I do not read his
mail, so if you want me to see it, DO NOT send it to him. He helps
me format the newsletter, but he does not edit or assemble it, so
please do not clutter his email box with your articles.

4. Finally, please notice the cut-off date (middle of last page) for
calendar items for the next issue. That date is the earliest that our
readers will receive the issue, so it does not good to announce an
event after it has occurred. If you want to submit a review of an
event, that would be welcomed.

I hope this clarifies any confusion. I do appreciate correspondence to
the Editor and love to share your stories and comments, so keep
them coming!


Q.  What says in the corner yet travels around the world?
A.  A postage stamp!


SRSNH EVENTS

Gatherings on Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm, Annichiarico Music
Theater, Thompson & S. Main Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all
instruments, all levels welcome; free, with potluck refreshments.
May 21, June 25, September 24.

Sunday May 28: Fremont Meeting House Celebration, Fremont,
N.H. (near Exeter). SRSNH to perform 12:00 - 3:00; contact
Barbara McOwen for signups and info.

Sunday June 3: Southern New Hampshire Highland Games, Oak
Park, in Greenfield, N.H. SRSNH to perform between 11:15 and
around 3:00; contact Barbara McOwen for signups and info.

Friday-Sunday September 15-17: New Hampshire Highland
Games, at Loon Mountain, Lincoln, N.H. SRSNH to perform
Saturday morning, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, and also for
additional events; contact Barbara McOwen for signups and info.


CALENDAR

Thursday May 18 and 25: Fiddle classes with Ryan Thomson at
Traip Academy in Kittery, Maine. Beginners class, 6:30-7:30 pm
(no experience); intermediate 8-9 pm (a little experience). Topics
include a little Celtic, Cajun, and Bluegrass. Kittery Adult
Education and Registration. Info: 207-439-5896, or email at
adulted@rwtraip.kittery.k12.me.us

Saturday May 20: Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival,
Westerly High School Athletic Field, Westerly, R.I. Info: Sally at
401-348-9109 or msscot@edgenet.net

Sunday May 21, NHECDS English Spring Ball, Lake Shore
Farm, Northwood, N.H. Dinner at 4 pm, dancing 6 - 9:30 pm,
with dessert at 7:30. Susan Kevra, prompter; music by Pleasures of
the Town. Dances will be walked through and talked through as
requested. Dinner and dance $28; dance and dessert only $17;
ECDS members $2 discount. Info: David Bateman, 603-886-
5071 or dbateman@net1plus.com and Marianne Taylor, 603-463-
771 or taylorgorman@juno.com.

Sunday June 4, Atholl Highlanders and a Kirkin' o' the Tartans.
Parade at 3:30 through Athol, formal reception in the evening.
Athol, Mass. Info: Thomas Kussy, 978-249-3849.


SURVEY QUESTION

Is this newsletter:

a.  too short -- you would like to see more stories and info;
b.  too long -- you don't read it all or stories are too long;
c.  just right -- you like the length and amount of content.

Email your opinion to the editor -- we'd like to hear from you.


WEBSITES OF CELTIC INTEREST

The Editor received a barrage of additional websites in response to
those posted last month, so here is another list.

www.maggiesmusic.com with over 33 albums distributed
worldwide and throug mail order on the web

http://folk-tales.com/cool_venues.html" -- Your Guide to Cool
Music Venues

http://www.celticmusic.com/alfonso_bodhrans/" -- Albert Alfonso
Bodhrans

http://www.ceilidhtrail.com/welcome.html" -- Ceilidh Trail School
of Celtic Music -- Inverness

http://www.ceolas.org/artists/index-us.html" -- Celtic Musicians:
North America

http://www.destinationmaine.com/beer/irishpub.htm" --
Destination: Maine

http://www.music-for-robin.org/links.htm" -- Links to folk music
sites

http://www.songsea.com/guestbook/ma.html" Song of the Sea's
Folk Groups, Teachers & Players ...

http://www.ceolas.org/instruments/bodhran/bodhran.html" -- The
Bodhran Page

http://www.kilt.ca" -- KILT Online

http://www.ceolas.org/ceolas.html" -- Ceolas celtic music archive

http://www.minogue.com/" -- Aine Minogue

http://www.macmastermusic.com/" -- Natalie MacMaster

http://www.escape.ca'~skinner/chieftains/chief.html" -- The
Chieftains website

http://www.mv.com/ipusers/celticbeat/index.html

http://www.mapleleafmusic.com -- A music store in Brattleboro,
Vt., selling fiddles and accessories; has an excellent collection of
Scottish, Irish and Cape Breton tune books

www.capebretonet.com/music/stubbert/welcome.html -- Brenda
Stubbert

www.capebretonet.com/music/holland/index.html -- Jerry Holland

www.ossianusa.com -- OSSIAN USA website

www.electricaardvard.com -- Electric Aardvark Records, a
complete web-based marketing and distribution portal, allows
visitors to read about bands, view digital pictures, and even listen to
free (MP-3) music clips of the bands represented.


FUNNY DEPARTMENT
  -- Reprinted by permission

[Picture of a highlander blowing up a cat, with a bagpipe lying on
the floor.]

"Unfortunate incident in the home of an absent-minded bagpiper."


SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

2nd Sundays - English dancing at the Old Concord Hospital,
Pleasant Street, Concord, N.H.; 6:30-9:30 pm. $6, or $5 for
ECDSNH members. Call Judith Ackerson 603-934-2543
jnoska@cyberportal.net

3rd Sundays - English dancing, 7-9:30 pm. at the Portsmouth
Ballroom. Portsmouth, N.H. $6 or $5 for ECDSNH members. Call
Dave Bateman 603-886-5071

3rd Sundays, 3-7 pm - Gaelic Club, at the Canadian American
Club, Watertown, Mass. Info: Peggy Morrison, 978-858-3792

Mondays, 7-9+ pm - Slow jam at Fiddler's Loft, 19 Marshall Rd,
Kingston, N.H. $5/night. Info: Albert Brien, 603-642-5434,
fidlerloft@aol.com

Tuesdays - Scottish Country Dance, 6-8 pm at the Fitchburg
Library, Main St., Fitchburg, Mass. Gail Birch 978-597-
8016

1st Tuesdays - Slow Jams in Cambridge, Mass, 6-7:30. Info: Nica
at 617-522-5887

Wednesdays 7:30 pm, Concord, N.H. - SCD class at the Odd
Fellows Home, Pleasant St. Contact 603-225-6546

1st Wednesdays, 7 pm - jam session at the K/C Hall, Elm St.,
Milford, 1/3 mile from oval. Info Sandy Lafleur 603-673-8497

2nd Wednesdays, 7 pm - Swedish fiddle night at the home of
Nancy Kalinski. Call or email for directions,
swedishfiddler@hotmail.com or xxx-xxx-xxxx

Wed or Thurs - Scottish Country Dance 7-9 pm in the Chandler
Library, Nashua, N.H. Call Loren Wright 603-891-2331

2nd & 4th Thursdays, 7-9 pm - Beginner Jam, Fiddler's Loft, free,
19 Marshall Rd, Kingston, N.H. $5/night. Info: Albert Brien, 603-
642-5434, fidlerloft@aol.com

2nd Fridays, Contra dance, Town Hall, Milford,.N.H. Various
bands. Contact Dave Bateman, 603-886-5071;
david.b.bateman@lmco.com

3rd Fridays - Square and Contra Dances presented by Roaring
Jelly, Lexington, Mass. Susan Elberger, Caller, and Debby Knight,
Music Director. To dance or join band, call 781-944-3544,
www.toc.lcs.mit.edu/~slonim/rjelly.html

4th Fridays, 8pm. Milford Contra Dance with open band. Contact
Sylvia Miskoe, 603-225-6546

Saturday afternoons: play fiddle with John Campbell at his home in
Watertown Mass. Call John for specific dates and times 617-924-
1837

2nd Saturdays, Contra dance at Francestown Town Hall 8-11,.
Call or e-m for info Frank Woodward, (603) 487-2480 or
yankee@grolen.com

Saturday afternoons, Arlington, Mass. Community Traditional
Music Sessions at the Fox Library, 3-7 pm: May 27, Jun 10. Info:
Laura, 781-646-7522


A REMINDER: Deadline for May articles is Friday, June 2. No
calendar dates before June 15 will be included.


PUBLISHERS MESSAGE

Granite Skyes is the newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of
New Hampshire. It is published approximately 10 times a year,
once a month between September and June. Subscription is $6/yr
($10 overseas). Membership is $14/yr for an individual domestic
membership; please inquire about other rates. The newsletter Editor
is Gail Birch, and the Publisher is Jim Birch. All items welcome,
inclusion is dependent on space available; send in by the 1st of the
month for inclusion in the mid-month mailing. The Email
Newsletter Editor is Barbara McOwen; subscription is free; contact
Barbara McOwen. The SRSNH Webmaster is Terry Traub,
http://www.srsnh.org.


SRSNH GATHERINGS
* Sunday May 21
* Sunday June 25
* Sunday September 24

Sundays, 1-5 pm
Free admission. All ages, all
instruments, all levels welcome;
free, with potluck refreshments
Annichiarico Music Theater
1 Thompson St, at S. Main St.
Take Rte 93 to Exit 13. Follow
signs to downtown Concord.
Turn left onto Thompson, park
on the right or on State St. or
Main St (not in the Residents
parking lot).


STRATHSPEY & REEL SOCIETY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
102 Little Pond Rd.
Concord, N.H. 03301
603-225-6546
smiskoe@aol.com
www.srsnh.org