GRANITE SKYES
Volume 15, No. 4, December 2002

DECEMBER GATHERING
Sunday, December 29, 2002
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
1 Thompson St., Concord, N.H.

Approximate schedule:
1-3    December tunes
3-3:30    Refreshments
3:30-5    Requests, solos, jams


NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
  -- by Sylvia Miskoe

This month I'll start out with a march I learned from Jerry Holland 
at a recent workshop at Fiddler's Loft in Kingston, N.H. Jerry taught 
it using the two bars at a time method and then told the group where 
it was written out. The tune is named James Cameron. He was a baroque 
flute maker and his son Roderick commissioned Jerry to write a tune 
in his memory.

In Memory of Herbie MacLeod is another tune written by Jerry. It can 
be played either as a waltz or as a lament. After you have tried out 
the tune, change the fiddle tuning to AEAE and see if you like it 
better. Herbie Macleod lived in Arlington, Mass and was one of the 
SRSNH's earliest members and a great supporter of everything 
Scottish. He was a hospitable person and there is a story that Dan R. 
MacDonald came to visit for a few days and the visit extended to 
several months. Herbie died in 2000.

Bill Cook from Scotland sent me a pipe march he composed, The 
Stirlingshire Militia. He writes that it commemorates the regiment 
that at one time guarded the City of Stirling and was stationed in 
the Castle. Bill lives in Clackmannan. He has taught at the Stirling 
Summer School, directs the Stirling Caledonian Strathspey and Reel 
Society, and is often First Chair in the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra. 
SRSNH members enjoyed meeting him on their 1996 Scotland tour. He 
says to play the march as a Grand 2/4 Pipe March much the same as 
Donald McLean's Farewell to Oban.

There are two tunes from Ken Perlman's Prince Edward Island 
Collection. The Black Velvet Waltz is, to me, one of those slow, 
sensual tunes. It is quite different from many Scottish waltzes which 
are played more briskly. I suspect it made its way into the PEI 
repertoire from Canada or the USA. For a contrast try playing Black 
Velvet and then Come O'er the Stream Charlie. You will feel the 
differences.

Colonel Robertson has many forms. It is basically a pipe march but it 
is also the tune for a couple dance, The Roberts. Slow it down and 
change the accents and it can be a waltz. Slow it down even more and 
play it as an air and you will find you are playing the Massacre at 
Glencoe.

The retrospective for Book 3 has two good strathspeys on 3.1. They 
are old tunes, good for flings and quick moving strathspeys. The 
Marquis of Huntly's Highland Fling and Lady Madelina Sinclair.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
  -- by Cynthia Blaine, Secretary

Highlights from the last meeting, held November 26: Everything is on 
course for the Gala. We will be dedicating the Gala to the late Steve 
Avery. Bob Reed indicated that more musicians were needed for First 
Night Wolfeboro. The Audi is reserved for November 30, 2003 for next 
year's Gala. Ten postcards regarding potential trips to Scotland and 
Cape Bretton have been returned. The majority of members indicated 
they would like a trip to Cape Breton, although several would like 
trips to both Cape Breton and Scotland.

We are out of bound back music books. Books will not be available 
until sometime next year, although unbound back music will be sent on 
request. Back music mailings occur twice yearly, in January and July, 
thanks to Allen Brown, who puts lots of effort into this very large 
task.

There will be no April gathering this year, as last two Sundays in 
April are occupied by Easter and NEFFA.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, December 17, 2002. All meetings begin at 
7:30pm at the N.H. 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 cblaine@wadleighlaw.com.


GALA 2002-WHEW!
  -- by Katie Botsford, Sylvia Miskoe, Brian Mokler, et al.

Sylvia and Brian write: "John McNeil was a really rousing end to a 
great afternoon of Scottish music. Our thanks to all who participated 
-- musicians, ushers, dancers, and all the other volunteers -- for 
your help in making our 14th Gala Concert a memorable event. Some 
played, some helped behind the scenes, together it made the Gala a 
success. Perhaps we did not sell as many tickets as we'd hoped, but 
the audience was thrilled with our music and dance. The compliments 
started at the intermission and we have received many more in the 
days since. We had fun (we also worked very hard) and we certainly 
lived up to our motto: Having fun with Scottish music!"

Rodney and Elvie sent their thanks for sharing the fun and the music.

An especially appreciated comment came from Ellen Avery: "Steve's 
daughters had a wonderful time at the concert and really enjoyed the 
performance. They both remember when Rodney Miller played at Deacon 
Brodie's and so that was an extra treat for them to see him and hear 
his thoughts on Steve. Thank you for honoring Steve at the concert. I 
will put the program with other things celebrating his life."

Special thanks go to Kevin Meyers, who stepped up to take on the very 
big job of House Manager on short notice. In case you didn't know, 
serving as the house manager is a difficult and essential job that 
Bill Fitzpatrick handled with grace and good will for many years, and 
Kevin graciously took over this year. The House Manager has to take a 
special training class, follow lots of Audi rules, show up often and 
at inconvenient times, can't play in the concert, and can't even be 
in the hall to listen. And, everyone who enjoyed NOT cleaning the 
Audi after the show should thank Kevin, because it was his discovery 
that it was possible, and beneficial all around, to have the Audi 
cleaned by someone besides us.

Evelyn Roberts took some really wonderful photos of the dress 
rehearsal and the concert, and posted them on the Web so that we 
could all enjoy them. There are a couple of them, in not-as-nice 
black and white, in the print newsletter. You can see them all, in 
glorious color, at http://jawsa.homestead.com/SRS.html. Thanks, Ev!

Katie Botsford sums it all up: "The SRSNH gala was a fine 
performance. All enjoyed Rodney Miller's beautiful, artful 
musicianship, which included tunes from Shetland, Cape Breton, Contra 
Dance and original tunes, including a waltz dedicated to his wife, 
Jane. Watching his daughter Elvie's upbeat piano accompaniment was 
delightful! Especially heartwarming was Rodney's ubiquitous smile, a 
reminder to us all to reach out to our audience.

"The gala opened with a tribute to Steven Avery, and was followed by 
Scottish dancing, lots of piping, singing, counting in Spanish and 
Gaelic, banjo and flute solo parts, and even a dancing broom! The 
participating musicians played a variety of upbeat and sometimes 
challenging tunes, from "hot reels" to slow airs to pipe tunes, at 
speed in B flat. Hopefully there was something for everyone: jigs, 
polkas, airs, waltzes and of course plenty of strathspeys and reels.

"There was also a nice geographic and historical depth to the 
program. We played tunes from 18th century Scotland, sang about 
Bonnie Prince Charlie, and played the 6:20 Two-step. There was music 
from Cape Breton, Prince Edward Island, and Galicia. Additionally, 
there was a good mix of relatively new tunes from the past two years, 
and some old favorites, such as Eyemouth Harbor, to name one example.

"In the end, I am reminded that the Gala is a great cooperative 
effort, involving many musicians and volunteers of all ages to pull 
it off. It's great fun to play in, and great fun for the audience. 
Thank you to all who helped make it happen!!"


MEMBERSHIPS RECAP
  -- by Barbara McOwen

Last month was verrra interrresting! I allowed as how, if you were a 
member last year (Sept 1 2001 through Aug 31, 2002), and found you 
had no music in your mailing last month, that you were in arrears and 
had better pay up right away, if you wish to continue as a member. 
Well, it turned out there was no music in the mailing at all, not to 
members, not to non-members, not to uncles of members, no one. 
Sometimes we take a little break in November because of the Gala, and 
this was one of those years. Sometimes the all-volunteer staff makes 
a little bobble and we apologize for the confusion. So let's try 
again! First, check your mailing label. If it reads 9/1/02 or before, 
you're no longer a member, according to our records (be sure to get 
in touch if we've bobbled that one too). If it reads 9/1/03 or later, 
you are a Member In Good Standing (and we appreciate your punctuality 
and your support). Next, if you were expecting music and didn't get 
it, you might want to check your records, and either send in a 
renewal, or get in touch if you have any questions.

If you are getting this newsletter but aren't a member, we welcome 
new members at any time. The sooner you become a member, the sooner 
you can join in on all the fun! Best wishes to all, Barbara


CURRENT MEMBERSHIP RATES

Memberships (include newsletter, music, roster, tune lists, voting 
privileges, etc). One-Year Memberships Expire 9/1/03; Three-Year 
Memberships Expire 9/1/05:
      $20 - Individual Membership, North America
      $25 - Overseas Membership
      $32 - Family (two of everything)
      $55 - Three-Year Individual
      $88 - Three-Year Family

Supporting Membership (includes everything but the music):
      $15 - Supporting Member

Sponsors (includes everything but voting privileges):
      $50 - Friend or Non-Profit Corporate Associate
      $100 - Highlander or Corporate Associate

Newsletter Subscription (newsletter only; non-membership):
      $8 - Newsletter Subscription, North America
      $18 - Newsletter Subscription, Overseas

Please get in touch about other rates.


BOSTON HARBOR SCOTTISH FIDDLE SCHOOL
  -- by Barbara McOwen

Finally! A Scottish fiddle camp in New England! The Folk Arts Center 
of New England will be presenting a new one-week resident session, 
expressly for Scottish fiddlers. The dates are August 9-16, 2003, on 
Thompson Island, in Boston Harbor. Yes, it is an island, with ferry 
service provided! Thompson Island has a school with dorms, 
classrooms, dining facilities, trails (no cars), and an Outward Bound 
program on the outskirts. The fiddle teachers will be Angus Grant, 
Highland Fiddler from Fort William, Scotland; John Campbell, Cape 
Breton fiddler, of Maynard, Mass.; and Hanneke Cassel, Scottish 
fiddler, of Boston, Mass. All ages, all instruments, all levels are 
welcome. There will be lots of jam sessions and general music 
clinics, though most of the instrumental teaching will be directed 
towards the fiddle. Brochures will be available shortly; contact 
Marcie van Cleave at the Folk Arts Center for more information, and 
to be sure you'll be on the mailing list: 42 West Foster St., 
Melrose, Mass. 02176-3811, 781-662-7475, fac@facone.org, 
http://www.facone.org.


THE ANSWER TO THE TRIVIA QUESTION

Last month, we offered a trivia challenge: "There is a tune, Johnny 
Groat's House, that commemorates a particular place and person. For a 
lovely prize, please tell us what Johnny Groat's surname came to 
signify, and identify his house's most unusual feature."

Here's the answer, taken from the John o' Groats web site at: 
http://www.visitjohnogroats.com/history.htm: "A mound and flag pole 
near the John O'Groats House Hotel mark the site where Jan de Groot, 
a Dutchman, built his famous house in the reign of James IV (1488 - 
1513). His seven descendants quarreled about precedence and Jan de 
Groot solved this problem by building an octagonal house with eight 
doors, one for each of his seven sons and himself, and an eight sided 
table so that no one occupied the head of the table. Jan de Groot ran 
a ferry to Orkney and charged 2 pence a trip. The coin for this 
denomination became known as the 'groat.' Jan de Groot is buried in 
Canisbay churchyard where his tombstone can be seen, now moved to 
inside the entrance porch for protection against the weather. Over a 
period of time the name Jan de Groot has subsequently changed to John 
O'Groats."


AND THE WINNER IS --

The winner of the lovely prize, the RSCDS CD, "Celebrate 50 years of 
Dancing with the Boston Branch Royal Scottish Country Dance Society" 
is -- Mike Hebb, fiddler, mandolin player, and master of arcane 
knowledge from Vermont. No one got it exactly right, but Mike came 
the closest. His version of the Johnny Groat's House story involved 8 
de Groot families, 8 doors in an 8-sided house, and 8 separate 
tables. He also had some alternative answers about the significance 
of the surname: "John o' Groat's is a colloquial term for the most 
northerly point of Scotland. The cowry shell, Cypraea europaea, is 
locally known as "John o' Groat's bucky."

Anyone who is inclined to quibble with The Editor about her selection 
of the winner, or the accuracy of the purported facts portrayed as 
universally accepted truth for purposes of this trivia contest is 
hereby and forthwith advised to fugeddaboudit.

Congratulations to Mike and to all who sent in entries! And thanks to 
Sylvia for sending the trivia that prompted the question. Sylvia adds 
that the tune "Johnny Groat's House" is a dancer's favorite.


SRSNH OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, & VOLUNTEERS
Music Director: Sylvia Miskoe
Board of Directors:
      Sandy Lafleur, President
      Bob Reed, Vice President
      Ed Los, Treasurer
      Cindy Blaine, Secretary
      Ellen Bassett, Bruce Cobb, & Frank Woodward, Members at large
Scholarship Committee: Marjory Swope, Chair; Lynn McElroy, Gary Hume
Memberships, Email Newsletters: Barbara McOwen
Webmaster: Terry Traub
Monthly Mailings; Sabrina Matteson
Makeup Mailings: Allen Brown;
Newsletter Editor: Ellen Bassett
T-shirts: Bruce Cobb
Refreshments: Calvin Gardner, Christina Brown


SRSNH EVENTS
Gatherings on Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm, Annicchiarico Music Theater, 
Thompson & S. Main Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all instruments, all 
levels welcome; free, with potluck refreshments December 29, January 
26, February 23, March 30, May 25, June 29. No April gathering.

First Night Wolfeboro, N.H., December 31, 2002; festivities begin in 
the afternoon, end with fireworks at midnight. We perform at 7 & 9 pm 
at Kingswood High School Auditorium, and then we're free to enjoy New 
Year's Eve on the shores of beautiful Lake Winnepesaukee. Sign up 
with Sylvia Miskoe.

NEFFA, Friday April 25 through Sunday April 27: SRSNH will play a 
concert; details yet to be determined.


CALENDAR
1st Annual Pittsfield, N.H. Fiddle Contest, December 13, 2002, Open 
and Youth (under 17) divisions, cash prizes for first 3 places in 
each. Registration & Silent Auction begin at 5 pm, Youth competition 
at 6, Open to follow division, free for audience and participants. 
Scenic Theater (home of the Pittsfield Players), Depot St., 
Pittsfield, N.H. Sponsored by the Pittsfield Youth Workshop. Silent 
Auction, raffle, and refreshment sales support the PYW music 
programs. For more information contact Pittsfield Youth Workshop, 
P.O. Box 206, 2 Depot St., Pittsfield, N.H. 03263 Phone 603-435-8272 
Fax 603-435-8272 Email: pyw@metrocast.net Website: 
www.metrocast.net/~pyw

Holiday Contradance, Friday Dec. 20: Town Hall, Kingston, N.H. Peter 
Yarensky, Sarah Mason, Lamprey River Band. Seacoast Holiday dance, 
festive attire encouraged. Pot luck refreshments during the break. 
8-11, $6, 603-770-7988.

Clan Du, Sunday, Dec. 22, 7-9 pm, free, at Borders, Fort Eddy Road, 
Concord, N.H., for more information contact Swamp Road Music, 95 
Swamp Road, Epsom, N.H. 03234 603-736-8185 or at 
clanduband@hotmail.com

Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend, January 17-19 2003, Memorial Union 
Building, University of N.H., Durham; with callers Linda Leslie, Tony 
Saletan and musicians Airdance (Rodney Miller, Mary Cay Brass, Marko 
Packard, and Stuart Kenney); Old New England (Bob McQuillen, Jane 
Orzechowski, and Deanna Stiles); and Phantom Power (Lissa 
Schneckenburger & Bruce Rosen) Highlights: Grand Dance Saturday 
evening; contra and square dancing all day; workshops on music, 
dance, calling. Information: 603-659-7038, 603-463-7771 or 
603-664-2513

A Night of Scottish Music and Dancing, commemorating Robert Burns, 
Saturday, January 18, starring the Marlettes and Stuart Anderson, and 
the Pipes and Drums of the Worcester Kiltie Band, with Martin Kelly , 
Aine Minogue, and Laura Scott. Mechanics Hall, 321 Main St. 
Worcester, Mass., reservations required, order soon. Dinner & concert 
$42, concert only $25. For dinner tickets, send check payable to 
Worcester Kiltie Band and SASE to the band, 41 Alton St., Walpole, 
Mass. 02081; for information or concert tickets call 508-752-0888

Burns Supper, Scottish Concert and Silent Auction, Saturday, February 
1, 5pm, Boston Marriott Newton, featuring Tulach Ard Pipe Band, 
Highland Dance Boston, Jerry Holland, Halali, and readings and songs 
from Robert Burns. $50 per person for dinner and concert. Make 
reservations by January 24. Information and reservations at 
www.tulachard.org/burns-supper.htm, email burnsnight@tulachard.org, 
or call Marilyn Costello at 508-362-8165.

NEFFA -- The New England Folk Festival Association's 59th annual 
festival, April 25, 26, 27 at Natick High School, Natick, Mass. A 
weekend full to overflowing with music, dance, crafts and food from 
all over the world. For more information visit www.neffa.org

Bonnie Rideout and the City of Washington Pipe Band, Saturday May 3, 
2003, Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord, N.H., 8pm; for more 
information contact www.ccanh.com, or call the box office at 
603-225-1111.


SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES
Please, if you know of any changes in any of these regularly 
scheduled events, please let the Editor know at ebassett@ttlc.net - 
thanks!

2nd Sundays - English dancing, 6:30-9:30 pm., Howard Auditorium, 99 
Pleasant Street, Concord, N.H. $6, or $5 for ECDSNH members. Judith 
Ackerson 603-934-2543, or jnoska@cyberportal.net; 
http://people.star.net/blw/dance/english.html

3rd Sundays - English dancing, 6:30-9 pm, Woman's City Club, 375 
Middle St, 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, Mass. Peggy Morrison, 978-858-3792.

Mondays - Contra dance, 8-10:30, callers & musicians welcome to take 
a turn. Nelson, N.H. Town Hall, $3; 603 827-3732.

Mondays - Slow jam, 7-9 pm+, Fiddler's Loft, 19 Marshall Rd., 
Kingston, N.H. $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, N.H. 7-10pm. 603-229-0083.

1st Wednesdays - Jam session, 7 pm, Foodee's, in the Milford Oval, 
Milford, N.H. Sandy Lafleur 603-673-8497.

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

1st Thursdays: Contra dance, Dover City Hall, 8pm. 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.

Fridays - Seacoast Scottish Country Dance class, Greenland Parish 
Hall on Rte 151, Greenland, N.H., 7:30-9:30 pm, through end of June, 
Laurie Stevens 603-773-9795.

1st Fridays: Contra dance, Windham, N.H. 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 pm - various bands. $6.

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, 8-11 pm, Town Hall, Milford, N.H. 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, Arlington Comm. Traditional Music Sessions, Fox 
Library, Mass Ave & Cleveland St., 3:00 pm to 6:15 pm, various dates, 
at the Fox Library, corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Cleveland 
Street in East Arlington, Mass. $1 per person. For more information, 
call 781-643-3603.

2nd Saturdays, Contra dance, 8-11 pm, Town Hall, Gilmanton, N.H., $5 
per person, $10 family

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

3rd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8 pm, East Concord Community Center, $5 
4th Saturdays - Contra dance, Dover City Hall, 8:30 pm - various 
bands. $7, 603-659-7038.


SRSNH GATHERINGS 2002-3
Sunday, December 29
Sunday, January 26
Sunday, February 23
Sunday, March 30
No April gathering
Sunday, May 25
Sunday, June 29

1-5pm. Free admission. All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome; 
free, with potluck refreshments.

Annicchiarico Music Theater, 1 Thompson St, at S. Main St. Take I-93 
to Exit 13 or 14. 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.

A REMINDER: Deadline for January articles is January 3. No calendar 
dates before January15 will be included.

Granite Skyes is published monthly (10 issues) between September and 
June by the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire. Subscription 
$8/yr ($18 overseas). Individual domestic memberships cost $20/yr; 
please inquire about other rates. Edited by Ellen Bassett. All items 
welcome, depending on space available; e-mail by the 1st of the month 
for inclusion in the mid-month mailing to ebassett@ttlc.net in text 
only format. Email subscription is free; send request to 
bmcowen@world.std.com . The SRSNH Web Page is maintained by Terry 
Traub, http://www.srsnh.org