October 2000
 
 Hello, Friend-of-Scottish-Music-Who-Is-On-The-Internet:
 
 Welcome to the email edition of Granite Skyes, the monthly
 newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire.
 This is sent out to all members with email, and to select others on
 our mailing list with email addresses. If you are not currently a
 member, and wish to subscribe to the paper edition, or to join the
 SRSNH, please get in touch. Members of the SRSNH will
 continue to receive their mailed paper copy of Granite Skyes. You
 can also read this and previous newsletters on the SRSNH web
 page, www.srsnh.org.
 
 If you really don't wish to receive any future email editions, please
 reply with a simple email message to me at Eafid@aol.com, or to
 the Database Manager: Barbara McOwen, at bmcowen@world.std.com
 and you will be removed from any future email distributions. If you're
 not a member and wish to continue to receive the mailed paper copy
 from time to time, you might mention that.
 
 Thanks! And hope you enjoy seeing the Strathspey & Reel Society
 news!
 
 Elias Abelson
 SRSNH Email Editor
 Eafid@aol.com


GRANITE SKYES
Newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire
Having Fun with Scottish Music
Volume 13, Number 2 -- October 2000


OCTOBER 29 GATHERING
Sunday Afternoon, 1-5 pm
Sylvia Miskoe, Leader
Annichiaricho Theatre, S. Main St &
Thompson Sts, Concord, N.H.

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


NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
--by Sylvia Miskoe

This month's tunes are all by contemporary people about
contemporary people: a jig, a reel and two strathspeys.  Bob
McQuillin's Reel is by Aly Bain.  Bob is a well known and
beloved contra dance pianist who lives in Dublin, New
Hampshire.  Aly Bain grew up in Shetland, now resides in
Edinburgh, and has been the leader and fiddler of The Boys
of the Lough for over 30 years. They first met at the Fox
Hollow Folk Festival in Petersburg, NY,  in 1973. Bob says
that they met on the hillside after the concert and played
tunes till 5 a.m. They've been friends ever since.  The tune
is from The Nineties Collection.  Bob actually spells his
name 'McQuillen'.

I have selected two tunes by Muriel Johnstone.  We already
have one of her tunes in our collection: Eyemouth Harbour. 
Muriel began playing piano at age 6 and has never stopped. 
Since 1977 she has been the arranger of the tunes published
in the RSCDS books.  She plays solo, with Alasdair Fraser
and other Scottish Country Dance Bands.  The Pogo Stick is
from the Allanton Collection, and was written as part of a
set commissioned for the late Mark de Lemos of San
Francisco.  Mark's friends described his dancing as having a
pogo stick start.  It is the name tune for a dance titled
Summer's End which was devised by Ron Wallace, of the San
Francisco Branch, when he taught at the Summer's End dance
weekend in Hillsboro, New Hampshire.  Mrs. Alice Anderson can
be found in A Score and More, tune written by Muriel
Johnstone.

Mr. Dolph Morris is by Pete Kier, accordionist with Jack
Rennie's Thistle Band, which is based in the Los Angeles
area.  Dolph is their bass player.  It is the lead tune for
The Capetown Wedding and was published in the RSCDS Book
#39. These two strathspeys can be played together, in either
order. 


CHECK YOUR LABEL
--by Barbara McOwen, Memberships

Yes, all members, please check your mailing label. If the
date reads "9/1/00" you should treasure this Newsletter --
it will be your last for a while. (We send occasional
newsletters to former members and other Very Important
People on our mailing list.) If there's no date that means
you're not a member. If you suspect there's something amiss,
please get in touch with me right away (781-648-3955,
bmcowen@world.com).

To renew your membership, or to join, send $14 to the SRSNH
at 102 Little Pond Rd, Concord, N.H. 03301. Other common
rates are $24 for a family, and $40 for three years. 


BOARD OF DIRECTORS' NEWS
At the Saturday morning session presented by  SRSNH at the
New Hampshire Highland Games, Sandy Lafleur, President,
presented Barbara McOwen with a framed photo and certificate
of appreciation for her years of hard work and dedication as
SRSNH Music Director.  

Highlights from the September 19th Meeting, taken from the
minutes prepared by Carolynn Marsh, Secretary:
  
The meeting was hastily relocated to Nancy Kalinski's home
due to an unexpectedly locked door. Apologies to anyone who
came to the meeting and did not find the directions left at
NHSSA's door.

The Board addressed several housekeeping issues.  Work on
the 1999 Gala Video is proceeding, and releases for
performers and music are being sought.  Should there be
discrepancies in membership fees, it was agreed that Ed Los,
Treasurer, would be the person to resolve them.  Additional
expenses for the NH Highland Games were approved.  The SRSNH
Financial Statement was approved, and a copy of it is to be
included for all members with the October Newsletter.
Two potential performance dates in 2001 were discussed.  An
SRSNH Retreat, for workshops and jamming, is being
investigated; no firm plans yet on either of the gigs or the
retreat.

The Board met in executive session to discuss contracts.  No
motions or decisions were made in executive session. 
Next Meetings:  Thursday, October 19 and Wednesday, November
29.  All meetings begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held at the NH
School of Scottish Arts in Manchester.   Please contact the
Secretary if you need directions.  These meetings are open 
to all members. . (Note: Members wishing a complete copy of
the Minutes should contact the  Secretary at
whimseyhill@aol.com) 


NH HIGHLAND GAMES FIDDLE AND ALL-INSTRUMENT COMPETITIONS
-by Livia Kohn

At the NH Highland Games, Sept. 15-17, several competitions
were held where SRSNH members participated and excelled. 
First was the New England Regional Fiddle Novice, Junior,
and Open Competitions on the evening of Friday, Sept. 15.  
The Novice Competition was held at 6 pm.  Renowned Montana
fiddler Janny Kirk served as judge, with Tom Moscarillo as
MC.  A total of eleven players participated.  Boston Fiddle
Club member Cecily Morrison and  SRSNH  member Jane Law took
top honors in the senior novices.

The Junior Competition ran simultaneously with the Novices. 
Here the famous Elke Baker, who also played in concerts,
workshops and with SRSNH at the SCD Ball during the Games,
presided, with Livia Kohn as MC.  Six players performed. 
SRSNH's Brendan Carey Block and Emerald Forman took first
and second place.  Emerald, with the rest of Clan Du, opened
for the Battlefield Band in the Millenium Concert Tent
immediately after competing.  The Most Promising award was
given to SRSNH player Sarah Jaffer.

The Open Competitition began at 8:30 and had a total of five
players.  Karen Steven, renowned fiddler from Scotland,
judged, with FIRE representative Jan Tappan as MC.  SRSNH
member Jared Lee took fourth place, and honors for best air.
All competitions were well attended, Lafayette Room being
quite full at times, proceeded in a timely fashion, and
created a supportive and positive atmosphere.

The National Fiddle Competitions were held on Saturday,
Sept. 16, beginning at 12 noon.  Final results were only
clear by about 8:30 that evening.  It was a long haul for
all concerned.  The three judges, Janny Kirk, Elke Baker,
and Karen Steven, worked hard, writing extensive, and often
very supportive and helpful, comments on the players'
sheets.  The MC, Isobel Abelson, and the steward, Elly
Abelson-both SRSNH members-provided the support for a smooth
competition.  The SRO audience was patient and the players
spent the judges' decision time by jamming away happily. 
Two heavily frosted chocolate cakes, moreover, delivered to
celebrate the 25th anniversary of the competition, created a
welcome diversion and re-energized judges, players, and
workers alike.

First was the National Junior championship.  Brendan Carey
Block took first place, and Emerald Forman took second.  The
National Open championship followed.  Here previous title
holder Jeremy Kittel from Michigan emerged again as the
winner.  

The All Instruments competition was held on Sunday, Sept.
17, at 9:30 am.  Seven players participated on a variety of
instruments.  It was judged by Susie Petrov and Mike
MacNintch, who were of very good cheer, very flexible, and
intent that everybody have the most fun possible. 
Registration was organized by our own Sabrina Matteson, and
Tom Moscarillo served as MC.  The audience consisted of
about twenty well-wishers.  All of the competitors, as Susie
Petrov pointed out, were excellent in their own way and all
well deserved the medals they received.  SRSNH's Myles
Matteson took top honors in the junior competition on small
pipes.   It was a lighthearted and cheerful occasion, and a
good time was had by all.

Competition Results, listed in order of place (special
awards in parentheses):

New England Regional Fiddle Competition:
Junior Novice:  1. Hannah Dean; 2. Janine Lesperance  3. 
Abbie MacQuarrie

Senior Novice:  1. Cecily Morrison; 2.  Jane Law

Junior:  1.  Brendan Carey Block (best march, best
strathspey); 2. Emerald Forman (best selection); 3. Leanne
Smith (best air); 4.  Shelby John Trevor;  Aaron Hauptman
(best air) ;Sarah Jaffer (Most Promising)

Open:  1.  Thad Sze (best reel, best selection); 2. Nora
Garver (best strathspey); 3. Karen Billmers; 4.  Jared Lee
(best air)

National Fiddle Competition:
Junior:  1.  Brendan Carey Block (best march, strathspey,
reel); 2. Emerald Forman; 3. John Napier (best new
competitor for strathspey & air); 4. Leanne Smith; 5. Ruth
Howe (best set)

Open:  1. Jeremy Kittel (best reel, march, strathspey; tied
for best set); 2.  Lissa Schneckenburger (tied for best
set)   3.  Colin Fischer (best air);   4.  Laura Cortese; 
Katie Campbell (Most Promising)

All Instruments Competition:
Novice:  1. Cecily Morrison, small pipes; 2. Erica Lebow,
cello; 3. Beth Stafford, flute

Junior:  1.  Myles Matteson, small pipes; 2. Ross Carnie,
shuttle pipes

Senior:  1. Angus MacPhail, accordion; 2. Dianne Wilson,
vocals

Watch for more NHHG news in the next issue - Ed.  


GALA CONCERT - "A CROFTER'S STORY"
- by Gail Birch

We have assembled most of the players and dancers for the
concert, but we still need you!  We are still looking for
dancers, actors, backstage hands, lobby sales table
personnel, a cast party organizer, and props (a 35ft length
of large gauge rope, a hoe, a pig costume, some sailor
hats,  2 tartan blankets and/or a make-shift stretcher, some
bar stools and beer mugs.)

Bob Reed is keeping the database of players and performers,
so if you haven't signed up yet and are going to, please
send your name, address, instrument(s) and whatever else you
would like to volunteer for to him at skprbob@worldpath.net
. 
The show's details are being worked out now, and final
touches will go in at the October 22 rehearsal. It will be a
lot of work, but a lot of fun as well. I hope to have many
of the usual players, as well as a lot of new faces. Join in
this our millennium show, and it will be our finest yet. 


BOSTON BRANCH CONCERT - CALEDONIAN COMPANIONS

The  Boston Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance
Society presents its 7th annual concert, "Caledonian
Companions,"  on Saturday November 4 in at the Museum of Our
National Heritage in Lexington, MA.  Directed by SRSNH
member Robert McOwen, and featuring Hanneke Cassel, fiddler,
Tony Cuffe, singer, Alasdair Gillies, piper extraordinaire,
and other fine musicians including SRSNH members Terry Traub
and Margaret Lepley, this is one not to miss.   Advance
tickets are recommended; call 781-483-3323. 


IRISH/CELTIC SESSIONS AT THE BARLEY HOUSE
-by Tim Herrick

SRSNH members and friends are invited to the Irish/Celtic
Sessions every Tuesday in Concord, NH at The Barley House
Restaurant and Tavern (132 North Main Street), 7:00 to 10:00
PM.  The format is very informal--our content is mostly
Irish with other Celtic genres mixed in - Scottish, Cape Breton, etc.  
We also sometimes include Scandinavian, Old-Time American, 
and other tunes. We welcome all levels of musicians at this session,
and we regularly have at least one or two high-level players
and a couple of beginners attend. Our focus is fun and
learning. We end the session at 10:00 PM unless a large
group is still wanting to play beyond that time. Within
reasonable limits, the pub provides some gratuity of
drink/food to all musicians showing to play/sing. The
session is mostly tunes, but we have some song as well.  

 
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. October 29, December 17.

A Crofter's Story, SRSNH Gala Concert 2000, featuring
Castlebay and the SRSNH Orchestra.  Sunday, November 26,
3:00 p.m., Concord City Auditorium, 39 Green St., Concord,
NH.  All seats reserved, $15, $12, $9; for tickets call
603-286-8211 between 8 am & 8 pm, or mok@worldpath.net .

  
CALENDAR 

Contradance with New Boston Fancy, October 20, 8 pm,
Holderness, NH Town Hall  603-536-3887

Living Tradition Concert with Patty Furlong & An Rua October
21, 8 pm, Ossian's Loft.  $15 resv/only
Mary Lou Philbin, 603 783-4383

The Exiles , October 21 in Rockland, MA to benefit the
Rockland Emergency Food Pantry. CelticArtists@aol.com .

Music from Northumberland & the Orkney Islands, with Wrigley
Sisters, Pauline Cato, & Tom McConville, October 26, 7:30
pm, Regent Theater, Arlington MA, 781-862-7837

Caledonian Companions, Boston Branch Concert with Hanneke
Cassell, Tony Cuffe, Alasdair Gillies and Four on the Floor,
November 4, 3 pm & 8pm, Museum of Our National Heritage,
Lexington, MA  781-483-3323

The Exiles November 10, premiere at O'Leary's Irish Pub,
Brookline, MA.   CelticArtists@aol.com 

Kate Rusby with John McCusker,  November 19, 8 pm, Museum of
Our National Heritage, 33 Marrett Rd., Lexington, MA,
781-862-7837


MORE WEBSITES OF CELTIC INTEREST

http://music-for-robin.org - contains a calendar of Celtic
events, updated weekly, provides information about the
Celtic concert series produced by Music for Robin and an
extensive list of producers and venues with phone and
internet information.

www.bodaich.com - web site for Bodaich, a traditional Irish
band with SRSNH's  Rich Block on guitar and bass and Jeff
Baker on flute , fife, and (go, Jeff!) vocals.

www.theexiles.com - The Exiles - traditional Irish trio

www.electricaardvark.com - on-line record store for
independent musical artists. 

www.nhssa.org - NH School of Scottish Arts

www.srsnh.org - the new improved address for SRSNH


SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

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

3rd Sundays - English dancing, 7-9:30 pm., at the Portsmouth
Ballroom. Portsmouth, NH, $6 or $5 for ECDSNH members. Call
Dave Bateman (603)886-5071 or dbateman@net1plus.com .

3rd Sundays - Gaelic Club, 3-7 pm. at the Canadian American
Club, Watertown, Mass. Info: Peggy Morrison, (978)858-3792.
Mondays - Slow jam, 7-9pm+, at Fiddler's Loft, 19 Marshall
Rd., Kingston, NH. $5/night. Info: Albert Brien
(603)642-5434, Fidlerloft@aol.com .

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

Tuesdays - Irish/Celtic Sessions at The Barley
House Restaurant and Tavern, 132 North Main Street,  Concord,
NH 7:00 to 10:00 PM.  (603) 229-0083

1st Tuesdays - Slow Jams, 6-7:30pm. in Cambridge, Mass.
Info: (617)-522-5887.

Wednesdays - Merrimack Valley Scottish Country Dancers, SCD
classes, beginning Sept. 6:  children's class at 6 pm,
adults at 7:30 pm at the Odd Fellows Home, Pleasant St.,
Concord, NH Contact Brenda Janssen, (603) 226-2739.

1st Wednesdays - Jam session, 7pm., at the K of C 
Hall, Elm St., Milford, .3 from oval. Info: Sandy Lafleur
(603)673-8497. 

 3rd Wednesdays - Swedish fiddle night, 7pm., at the home of
Nancy Kalinski.  Call or e-mail for directions,
swedishfiddler@hotmail.com

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

2nd and 4th Thur - Beginner jam, 7-9pm, Fiddler's Loft (see
Monday's info), free

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 - Contra Dance, 8-11pm, at the Town Hall,
Milford, NH. Open band. Contact Sylvia Miskoe, (603)
225-6546.

Saturday afternoon - 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, 8-11, at Francestown, NH, Town
Hall. Call or e-m for info  Frank Woodward, (603) 487-2480
or yankee@grolen.com .

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

A REMINDER: 
Deadline for November articles is Friday, Nov.
3. No calendar dates before Nov. 15 will be included.


PUBLISHERS MESSAGE
 
Granite Skyes is published monthly (10 issues) between September 
and June by the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire. 
Subscription $6/yr ($10 overseas). Individual domestic memberships 
cost $14/yr; please inquire about other rates. Edited by Ellen Bassett. 
All items welcome, depending on space available; e-mail by the 
1st Friday of the month for inclusion in the mid-month mailing to 
editorsrsnh@juno.com in text only format. Electronic Editor is Elly Abelson. 
Email subscription is free. The SRSNH Web Page is maintained by 
Terry Traub, http://world.std.com/~ttraub/srsnh.


SRSNH OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  
Music Director: Sylvia Miskoe
 
President: Sandy Lafleur

Vice President: Bob Reed

Secretary: Carolyn Marsh

Treasurer: Edward Los

Members-At-Large: 
Ellen Bassett
Nancy Kalinski 


SRSNH GATHERINGS 2000

Sunday, October 29
Gala Concert, November 26
(no November gathering)

Sundays, 1-5pm.
Free admission. All ages, all
instruments, all levels welcome;
potluck refreshments. Angela 
Annichiarico Music Theater
1 Thompson St, at S. Main St.
Exit 13 or 14 off I-93. 
Take S. Main St. to Thompson St., 
2 blocks S of Pleasant St. (Rts. 202/9), 
1 block N of Capitol Center for the Arts. 
Park on S. Main, S. State, or in the lot 
across Thompson St. from the theater. 
Do not park in the resident's lot.


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