Granite Skyes
Volume 13 Number 9, May 2001

MAY GATHERING
May 27  Sunday Afternoon, 1-5 pm.
Sylvia Miskoe,  Leader
Annichiaricho Theatre, S. Main St & Thompson St, 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 Sylvia Miskoe 

For May, I have selected music from the collection of the
Orkney 
(Islands) SRS's sets: two polkas, a two-step and three
waltzes.  The Orkneys are to the north east of the northern
most part of Scotland.  Jan Gosse, whistle player from
Byfield, Massachusetts, vacationed in the Orkney Islands in
1999.  She met members of the Orkney Strathspey & Reel
Society and they invited her to spend an evening playing. 
Later they gave her some of their music collection.  It is a
fascinating collection of tunes, mostly Scottish but some
Irish and Quebecois.  I recognized a number of tunes after I
played them.  They have different names.  Along with the
usual jigs, reels and airs there are lots of hornpipes,
waltzes, polkas and two-steps.  There are some strathspeys
but not an abundance.  The Scottish Strathspey and Reel
Societies tend to organize their pages of music into sets of
similar tunes, i.e. three waltzes, 4 reels, 3 hornpipes,
providing ready made sets to play.   
I first learned The Rope Waltz from the Canterbury Country
Orchestra. 'Come Over the Stream, Charlie', is the name tune
for the Waltz Country Dance.  The first 16 bars of The
Shetland Twostep are almost the same as the tune used for
the Scottish Country Dance, Ian Powerie's Farewell to
Auchterardor.  I'll admit that I don't know much about
'two-steps' but I have noticed that they seem to be the 6/8
equivalent of the polka, which is 2/4.  There is often a
section in a different key.  The two polkas can be played
individually or one after the other. 

APRIL MUSIC CORRECTION
Notes on notes from the April session:
Chadwick's Bog - B part, 3rd measure, 2nd note:  B, not A
Compliments to Dan R. McDonald - 3rd measure, 6th note, A,
not C#; and, rhythm in  5th measure should be same as rhythm
in 1st measure.
Reested Mutton - B part, 6th measure, 4th note: D, not C#. 

 
THE REST OF THE STORY
Ron Wallace wrote in April to tell us that the slow air
"Wallace and Thomas" was written by Sherry Wohlers Ladig
from St. Paul, Minnesota for Gary Thomas and Ron when they
moved from Minnesota to California.  Our grateful thanks go
to Ron for reconnecting this lovely tune with its composer
and its story.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Carolynn Marsh, Secretary
Highlights from the April 25 meeting: 
The annual SRSNH business meeting will take place at the
next  Sunday gathering, May 27. Please see enclosed agenda
and summary of last year's meeting. Reports were very
positive from the most recent gigs at NEFFA and the Salem
Dance and  the southern NHHG will be coming soon in June
with more opportunities to perform. Can Loon be just around
the corner? Contracts, condos, passes and guidelines were
discussed for the NHHGs. Sylvia shared her exciting news
about the Gala 2001-it is a "yes" from Jerry Holland as our
featured artist. The Gala is coming together nicely with
Sylvia working on rehearsal dates and musician-friendly
music. Thanks also to Terry Traub for updating our website.
Check it out at www.srsnh.org. The BOD set in place a
process to update it monthly. The BOD and Don Young are also
investigating several possible grants.
Next Meeting: Wednesday May 23.  All meetings begin at 7:30
p.m. at the NH School of Scottish Arts in Manchester, and
are open to all members. Please contact the secretary if you
need directions.  Members wishing a complete copy of the
Minutes should contact the Secretary at whimsyhill@aol.com 

SOUTHERN NH HIGHLAND GAMES
-by Sylvia Miskoe
SRSNH will be playing for the Southern NH Games in
Greenfield.  Our performance is mid-afternoon, June 2.  We
get free admission for the day.  It is a pleasant, low-key
Games with lots and lots of good music, as well as the other
happenings of Games.  Directions for the Games are on the
Games website: www.snhscotcelt.org The SRSNH program will be
music largely from this year and I have posted it on the
SRSNH web site, www.srsnh.org If you want more information,
or want to sign up, please call me at 603-225-6546 or email
me at smiskoe@aol.com 

 
JERRY HOLLAND TO HEADLINE GALA 2001
We are delighted to announce that Jerry Holland will play
his blazing Cape Breton fiddle at SRSNH's 2001 Gala Concert
on November 25 at the Concord City Auditorium.   Sylvia
Miskoe is the music director, Steve Avery will be our MC,
Brian Mokler is the producer, and Mary Mokler will handle
the tickets.  The rehearsal dates have already been set and
the halls reserved, so mark your calendars now: 
Sunday October 28th (our regular October gathering, at
Annichiarico Theater;
Sunday November 4 at Annichiarico Theater;
Saturday November 17 at Concord City Auditorium; and 
Saturday November 24th at Lakeshore Farm. 

JULY 4TH FIDDLE CONTEST
Another reminder:  There will be a Fiddler's Contest at the
New Boston, NH 4th of July celebration on Wednesday, July
4.  There will be three categories - under 11, under 18, and
open - with cash prizes awarded in each, and all
contestants  get free admission to the celebration. 
Contestants are encouraged to register in advance, but
registration will remain open until 1:30 p.m. on the day of
the event.  The contest begins at 2:00 pm.
To register, arrange piano or guitar back-up, or for more
information, contact Frank Woodward at (603) 487-2480 or
e-mail yankee@grolen.com, attn: Fiddler's Contest. 

SALEM SCD PARTY
-by Jan Gosse
As a first time player for dancers I really did not know
quite what to expect.  Did I have to know all the tunes? 
What if I made a mistake?  Would someone point a finger at
me?  But since I had the pleasure of sitting between fiddler
Ryan Thompson and the Tartan Easter Bunny (aka Deirdre Rees)
all my fears were put to rest.  With their expert guidance 
I relaxed and let the music flow.  Because I had not learned
all the strathspeys I had the opportunity to watch those
dancers.  They were fabulous - such grace and precision,  I
was torn between wanting to dance and play.  Our band of
players recieved a rousing applause and calls for " encore,
encore" after Hal Robinson's Rant. We happily complied. The
evening started off with a pot luck supper which was a great
opportunity to mingle and meet many of the other players and
dancers.  I was quite impressed by the handsome kilts and
shirts made by some of these skilled women.  All in all the
evening was a successful event for both dancers and
players.  To sum it up
Flying fingers and flying
feet                                         Fitting
together in perfect sync.

SCHOLARSHIP TIME AGAIN
Summer SRSNH scholarships will be granted in August.  It's
not too early to prepare an application.  Contact any member
of the Scholarship Committee - Don Young, Chairman,
207-698-1571, Marjory Swope, 603-224-7676, and  Lynn
McElroy, 603-267-8812 - for guidelines and applications. 

SUMMER EVENTS
Just a reminder - there are no newsletters in July or
August, so if you have summer or September events you'd like
to see listed, you need to get the information to the editor
by June 1st for inclusion in the June newsletter.  Email is
the easiest way to get your news into the newsletter.  Send
it to ebassett@cheerful.com, or, if you must, mail it to
Ellen Bassett, 100 Hackleboro Rd., Canterbury, NH  03224. 


SRSNH OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, & COMMITTEES
Music Director:  Sylvia Miskoe
Board of Directors:  Sandy Lafleur, Pres.; Bob Reed, VP, Ed
Los, Treas., Carolynn Marsh, Sec., Ellen Bassett & Nancy
Kalinski, Members at large & Sylvia Miskoe, Music Director
Scholarship Committee:  Don Young, Chairman, Marjory Swope,
Lynn McElroy
 
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 27, June 24, September 30.

3rd Annual Southern NH Scottish Games and Celtic Music
Festival, Saturday, June 2, Oak Park in Greenfield, NH. 
Sign up with Sylvia Miskoe, 603-225-6546 or smiskoe@aol.com 

SRSNH Picnic, August 26, 3-7:30 pm, 102 Little Pond Rd.,
Concord, NH
NH Highland Games, September 14-16, Lincoln, NH

Gala Concert with Jerry Holland and the SRSNH Orchestra,
Sunday, November 25, Concord City Auditorium, Concord, NH

CALENDAR

Joe Burke and Anne Conroy Burke Concert, Saturday, May 19, 8
pm, Irish music on button accordions & guitar featuring
Tunes, Stories and the Traditions of East Galway, Doors open
7:15, House reception/session to follow concerts parking
off-street in field, please.  Pre-paid reservations only, 
limited seating.  (603)783-4383 with Visa/Mastercard or mail
check made out to: OSSIAN USA, 118 Beck Road, Loudon, NH
03307. Contact Mary Lou Philbin 783-4383

Fiddle Course, June 8-11, taught by Iain Fraser & Karen
Steven, Dornoch, Scotland, Karen.Steven@thurso.uhi.ac.uk 

Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance, June 22,
23, 24, includes traditional Scottish singers Allison
McMorland and Tom Spiers, Altamont, 518-765-2815
www.oldsongs.org 

Fiddle Contest July 4, 2 pm. Hillsboro County Fairgrounds,
New Boston, Contact Frank Woodward 603-487-2480 or e-mail
yankee@grolen.com, attn: Fiddler's Contest.  

English-Scottish Session at Pinewoods, July 2-6, 2001; for
more information call Howard Brezner, Registrar,
518-456-1731, or www.geocities,com/SoHo/Courtyard/8534/ 

Pinewoods Scottish Sessions , July 6-14:, Music classes will
be taught by Pat Clark (U.K.), Liz Donaldson (MD) and
Barbara McOwen (MA). Spaces limited. Mary Ellen Scannell, 97
Birch St, Lynn, Mass. 01902, 781-593-5949, scannell@gis.net 

Kate Chadbourne (Harvard Celtic department), speaks about
Irish fairy legends, including songs in Gaelic, Wednesday,
July 18, 7:30 PM,  Natick Center for the Arts, 31 Main St.
(Rt. 27) 1.5 blacks North of Rt. 135.  For information, call
508-879-0361 or e-mail lake@gis.net 

Summer programs in Scottish music, dance,  & culture at
University of Stirling,
http://www.stir.ac.uk/daice/summer.htm

Contra dances with New Boston Fancy: 
May 12, June 9, August 11  - Francestown  Town Hall, 8:00
pm,    603-547-2955
May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17   Holderness Town Hall,
8:00 pm,    603-536-3887
June 16- East Concord  Community Center, 8:00 pm,   
603-746-2388
July 21-  Enfield Shaker Museum Contra Dance series, 8:00
pm,    603- 632-7810 
July 28 - Tamworth Town Hall, 8:00 pm,  603-323-7342

Clan Du concerts:
For more information, call 603-736-8185
Friday, June 1, 6:30 to 8:30 PM - Portsmouth Brewery, 56
Market St., Portsmouth NH in celebration of the Brewery's
10th anniversary.
Friday, July 13, 7 PM - Central Pennsylvania Festival of the
Arts, Main Stage, State College, PA
Saturday, August 4, 6-8 PM - Barnstead Summer Concert Series
Barnstead, NH
Saturday, August 25, 1-2 PM - Queechee Highland Games,
Queechee, VT
 
MEMBERS, DON'T FORGET-
Send in your ballot!
   
SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

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

3rd Sundays - English dancing, 7-9:30 pm., 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. , Canadian American Club,
Watertown, MA. Peggy Morrison, (978) 858-3792.

Mondays - Slow jam, 7-9pm+, Fiddler's Loft, 19 Marshall Rd.,
Kingston, NH. $5/night, Albert Brien (603) 642-5434,
Fidlerloft@aol.com .
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, Park Avenue
Congregational Church, Arlington Hts., MA. Info:
(617)-522-5887.

3rd Tuesdays - sessions with hired teachers, variety of
traditions, 6:30-8pm, First Cambridge Baptist Church,
Cambridge, MA donation, 617-522-5887

2nd & 4th Tuesdays- "Play Togethers" with Michael Kenney,
1st Cambridge Baptist Church, 5 Magazine St., Cambridge MA
617-492-7323

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

1st Wednesdays - Jam session, 7pm., K of C Hall, Elm St.,
Milford, .3 from oval. 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., Chandler
Library, Nashua, NH. Loren Wright (603) 891-2331.

1st Thursdays:  Contra dance, Dover City Hall, 8:00 -
Lamprey River Band, guest callers and musicians invited. $5;
Peter Yarensky 603-664-2513.

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

1st Fridays: Contra dance, Windham, NH Town Hall, ½ mi. W of
exit 3, I-93; Neil Harvey 603-890-8907

2nd Fridays: Contra dance, Kittery, ME Grange Hall (now
called the Left Banke), 8:00 - various bands. $6

3rd Fridays - Contra Dances, 8-11pm, Town Hall, Kensington,
NH; $6; Claire 603-772-3558

3rd Fridays - Square and Contra Dances 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, Town Hall, Milford, NH.
Open band. Sylvia Miskoe, (603) 225-6546.

Saturday afternoon - play fiddle with John Campbell at his
home in Maynard, Mass. For specifics, John 978-897-7031.

Saturday afternoons - Community Traditional Music Sessions, 
3-6, Fox Library, Arlington, MA., May 19, June 2.; $1 per
person for hall rental. Laura at (781) 646-7522, or call
781-643-3603

2nd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8-11, Francestown, NH, Town
Hall.  Frank Woodward, (603) 487-2480, yankee@grolen.com 

4th Saturdays - Contra dance, Dover City Hall, 8:30 -
various bands. $7, 603-659-7038.

A REMINDER: Deadline for June articles is June 1.  No
calendar dates before June 12 will be included.