Granite Skyes
Volume 16 No. 4, December 2003

December Gathering
Sunday, December 28, 2003
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

January Gathering
Sunday, January 25, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

February Gathering
Sunday, February 29, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

March Gathering
Sunday, March 21, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

May Gathering
Sunday, May 30, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

June Gathering
Sunday, June 27, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH


NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
-by Sylvia Miskoe                                           

First, a huge thank you to everyone who played in the Gala Concert and made it
a musical success. I've had many compliments on the program and how well the
ensemble sounded.  Flow Gently Sweet Afton, suggested by Susan Christie
Woodward, was one of the songs played.. Here it is with all the words for
everyone to enjoy. Robert Burns wrote the lyrics in 1786 and set them to a tune
called Afton Water. He dedicated it to Mrs Stewart of Afton, Ayrshire. Burns
was writing about his great love, Mary Campbell.  Kingussie Flower is an early
19th century tune with a dance of the same name. If you slow it down you can
make it an aire. You'll also find it is quite similar to the English dance,
Childgrove which is dated 1701.

Sometimes I have to play a tune because of its name. Snouts and Ears is one of
these.  I've heard Scottish Country Dance Bands playing it. It's a neat tune
whether or not you like the title. Mount Stewart House is another nice tune
often heard in Country Dance sets.  Tom McVicars is a tune I found in a Colin
Dewar collection. Colin leads one of the most popular Scottish Country Dance
bands. While the tune notes say it is Irish, I think it is permissible to
include it in the collection since a Scot plays it. It reminds me of Scollay's
Reel.

MARCH IS ORIGINAL TUNE MONTH
-by Sylvia Miskoe                                           

Just another reminder, that March is the month for original tunes, one per
member. Please send me your tune, by January 15, 2004. It can be manuscript or
a computer program. If you're not sure about how to format it, I can give you
some help.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Cindy Blaine, Secretary

We are on track for the Gala.  There will be a recording made for archival
purposes.  March's gathering has been changed to March 28th instead of the
21st.  The Audi is reserved for next year.  The next Board of Director's
meeting is scheduled on December 16th beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the NH School
of Scottish Arts in Manchester, and is 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 cmbfiddler@yahoo.com ?


UPCOMING GIGS

First Night Wolfeboro - Sign up for First Night in Wolfeboro. We have a
one-hour slot and will play music from the Gala. Bob Reed is in charge of
non-musical details, I am in charge of the musical details. Last year was lots
of fun, let's do it again. Anyone who would like to participate should contact
Bob Reed at at 603-569-9424 or skprbob@worldpath.net

Merrimack Valley Winter Scottish Country Dance - The SRSNH will play for the
Merrimack Valley Winter Scottish Country Dance Party. This will be at the
Bedford, New Hampshire Town Hall on Saturday, February 21, 2004, if you have
never played for a dance before, now is your chance. There will be a nice pot
luck supper beforehand. Remember, when you play for a dance you always get a
standing ovation. I'll have the sign-up list at the December gathering or you
can send me an email at SMiskoe@aol.com
 

GALA 2003
- Ellen Bassett

The Gala was, by virtually all measures, a smashing success.  We had dry
weather and reasonable temperatures, a comfortably large and happy audience,
great guest performers, plenty of willing and cheerful volunteers, a nice
selection of music for the ensemble, and we raised a tidy sum for the
scholarship fund.

Hanneke Cassel and Chris Lewis played some spectacular sets on their own,
provided the tunes for gravity-defying Highland Dance Boston, and joined the
ensemble too - all with such grace and good cheer that everyone felt at ease
with them right from the start.

Highland Dance Boston (Robert McOwen, Abbie McQuarrie, Nicola Houston, and
Margaret Lepley) was simply fantastic - they danced with infectious joy, and
made it look easy.

Songs from Susan Christie Woodward and Kip Ferguson, piping by Johnny Bassett
and a set by the younger fiddlers, with solos by Keegan Chasse, Ashley Jennings
and Seamus Carey rounded out the program.

None of it would have been possible without the volunteer efforts of many
people.  Everyone who helped in any way deserves a huge thank you, but there's
not enough space here to do everyone justice!  Art Ketchen from Celtic Beat
Magazine handled all the publicity, and it is thanks to Art's efforts that we
sold so many seats.  Hanneke was also very generous with her time for radio and
newspaper interviews.  Cal Gardner not only fed us all well at every rehearsal,
at the concert, and at the after party, but also filled in wherever I needed
help.  Kevin Meyers managed the house on show day, an absolutely essential
task.  Stephanie Gardner took charge back stage and made everything run like
clockwork.  Sandy Lafleur produced our flyers and the gorgeous programs.  The
Friedrich family handled the sales table in the lobby most efficiently.  Mary
and Brian Mokler handled the tickets, and kept the database going.  Brian also
helped me immensely by sharing his experience and patiently listening to my
whining.  Bruce Cobb and Ev Roberts made sure our Web presence was up to snuff,
and Ev provided her photos for publicity.  Kathy Thompson faithfully took notes
for us all at every rehearsal.  Most importantly, Sylvia Miskoe picked great
tunes, and patiently led us through them.  Thank you, everyone!

It was a pleasure to work with everyone to bring Gala 2003 to life.  I had fun,
the audience had fun, and I hope you all did too.  If you missed it, mark your
calendar now for next year's Gala - November 28, 2004! ?

"Let's move some fiddlers back, and put the winds over here."  Ellen, cheerful
in red tunic and exuding calm and competence, surveys the space available.
"Front row--pull your music stands back so the Highland dancers won't trip on
them."

"Where shall I warm up?" Johnny hoists his pipes.  "In the bathroom," comes a
suggestion.  "If he warms up in the bathroom, he'll split his eardrums,"
someone else points out.

A few announcements: "Sell tickets!" It's Mary, pleading. "Sell tickets, or
we'll be playing to ourselves." Bob says, "there's still time to sign up for
Wolfeboro, first night."  But first we have to get ready for November
30. "Let's try that transition," says Sylvia.  "Count one, two, and then play
the pickup notes."

Mary Ann says sternly: "You know this music. The second time around, for each
tune, some of you could stand up--and smile.  In fact, we'll all stand for The
Reconciliation.  Everyone got that?"  "Wear makeup," Sylvia reminds, "or you'll
look like ghosts."

A totally open ensemble. The instruments range from a Renaissance cornett to a
pair of wooden spoons.  The players come from eight?-nine?-decades of life.
Some can whip out those sixteenth notes like crazy and others are content to
play the first note of every measure.  How this thing can fly is a mystery, but
on the day of the Gala, fly it does.  Sylvia, smile more dazzling than ever,
leads into A Stirling Fiddler's Welcome, and we're off.  Our very own stirling
fiddlers-Bruce and Brian and Marge and the whole team-don't let us down.
Underpinning everything, Sandy and Bob and Frank and George and Mary Ann and
the rest of the stalwart rhythm section provide oomph.

Guest artist Hanneke Cassel, who charmed the group in rehearsal, captivates the
house with her skill and intensity.  Boston Highland Dance lends high energy
and color.

Ashley and Kegan and Seamus and the other members of the Youth Ensemble deliver
centuries-old tunes and give us confidence that civilization as we know it will
be passed on.  Barbara's polka invites dancing in the aisles.  Susan's clear
voice rings out, and Kip adds historical drama to his duties as announcer.

Two weeks after the show, a friend who was in the audience reports: "I looked
down the row where I was sitting, and every foot was tapping."

Afterwards, mountains of pizza appear--thanks to Cal who once again fuels and
cheers us.  Viva Cal! Viva SRSNH! - Betsy Woodman

The following are excerpts from some of the comments and thanks from various
audience members who enjoyed the Gala:

Barbara McOwen: It was truly wonderful hearing my tunes played by the whole
orchestra.  Not just one, but two! I think my nephews were impressed
too. Thanks so much!

David Morley: [I] had a wonderful time! All my friends in the Audi. enjoyed the
performance. Great job!

From Deirdre and Chris Rees: Thank you all for a great job.  My mom loved you.
Thanks to all who spoke to her.  It was her first gala.  She always eyes my two
old Morris accordions with suspicion.  Glad she saw that "somebody" could play
them well.
 
Jon Thunberg: Thanks again for a most enjoyable Sunday after Thanksgiving. Your
little sneeze at the end was a nice touch.  I was pleased to hear the woodwinds
getting a bit more opportunity to be heard than I remember from past concerts.
Hanneke Cassel is a terrific fiddler and has a great stage personality (and
probably off-stage too). Her early classical training shows.  Hope you had a
great after-show party. All the best.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

The following is a report from Mike Hebb on his participation at the Gaelic
College of Celtic Arts:

Kathy and I drove up in one day on Friday, 806 miles, to be there for CBFA
(Cape Breton Fiddlers Association) concert taking place at the Gaelic College
of Celtic Arts that weekend.  The director, Eddy Rodgers, provided us with
tapes and music in advance so we would be practicing the seventy-five tunes all
summer to be prepared.  The CBFA concert was attended by nearly one hundred
fiddlers with workshops on Saturday and concert on Saturday afternoon and more
concert Sunday afternoon and evening.  We had workshops with David MacIsaac and
Stan Chapman.  Fr. Francis Cameron came out of his way to introduce himself to
us.  He seems to be a man fueled by fiddle music.  The concert is like a big
talent show and anyone can play, but the level of talent is world class.
Brenda Stubbert and Kinnon Beaton did some numbers together.

We both had some surprise compliments: When Kathy was leaving a workshop, she
heard someone say "Who WAS that girl?"  And Saturday while I was practicing in
our room at the college, someone knocked on the door and said , "Oh, we thought
David MacIsaac was here."

During the week at GCCA, I took four classes a day, advanced fiddler with
Kimberly Fraser and a novice piano accompainment class.  In addition to
learning new material, we worked mostly on droning in Eddy's class, and with
Kim, we did tunes with two and three flates and worked on warbles.  The Bee's
Wing, The Banks Hornpipe, A Boy's Lament for his Dragon, Little Pickle,
Homeward Bound, The Yetets of Mukart, Cameron got his Wife Again, Susan Cooper,
and Trip to Dublin are a few of the favorites I keep playing.  I would like to
warmly thank SRSNH for their help in making this trip possible.  Best to All.
Mike Hebb

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 
Bruce Cobb, Frank Woodward & Marianne Taylor, Members at Large 
Scholarship Committee: Gary Hume, Chair;  Susan Willoughby & Elly Abelson
Memberships, Email Newsletters: Barbara McOwen
Webmaster: Terry Traub
Mailings: 
Back Music: Allen Brown; 
Newsletter Editor: Cindy Blaine 
Photographer: Evelyn Roberts
T-shirts: Bruce Cobb 
Refreshments: Calvin Gardner, Christina Brown 

SRSNH EVENTS

Gatherings on Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm, Annicchiarrico Music Theater, Thompson
& S. Main Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome;
free, with potluck refreshments. December 28, 2003, January 25, 2004, February
29, 2004, March 21, 2004, May 30, 2004, and June 27, 2004

Wolfeboro First Night  December 31, 2003, St. Episcopal Church, Wolfeboro, NH

Merrimack Valley Winter Scottish Country Dance - Saturday, February 21, 2004,
Bedford, New Hampshire Town Hall

OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST

Robert Burns Dinner and Scottish Concert with Silent Auction - Saturday,
February 7, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. at the Boston Marriott Newton in Newton,
Massachusetts Featuring Iona, Highland Dance Boston, Tulach Ard Pipe Band,
Robert Burns Readings and Songs

Cost per person is $55.00.  Reservations must be made by January 28, 2004.  For
more information visit: www.tulachard.org/burns-supper.htm E-Mail:
burnsights @ tulachard.org or call Marilyn Costello at 508-362-8165

11th Annual Snowball All-Day Contra Dance at the Peterborough Town Hall,
Peterborough Town Hall Dance from Noon to Midnight Admission $18.00.  Featuring
Nightingale w/ Steve Zakon-Anderson; Big Bandemonium w/George Marshall; Air
Dance w/Dan Pearl and The Reckless Ramblers w/ Cis Hinkle.  For more
information call 603-525-3883 or e-mail FIDDLEHEADS @ ADELPHIA.NET

For those members who live outside of New England, or who plan to travel in the
upcoming months, here are some events, which may be of interest:

The Wintergreen Concert Series presents the finest Canada has to offer through
a series of intimate concerts at Club One, 1186 Crescent Street, Montreal
Canada, (514) 393-1663:

Garnet Rogers -  Saturday, January 24 2004 
Lynn Miles -  Saturday, February 28 2004, 
ames Keelaghan, - Tuesday, March 30 2004
Maria Dunn, Saturday, April 24 2004. 

For more information on this series, contact Matthew Large and Rebecca
Anderson, Hello Darlin' Productions, 514.524.9225 or
hellodarlinproductions @ hotmail.com

A workshop with:
Alasdair Fraser (fiddle) and Muriel Johnstone (piano)
for all musicians

Saturday, March 13, 2004 
10 am-4 pm
Albany Veterans Memorial Building 
1325 Portland Ave., Albany, CA

Alasdair & Muriel are world-renown for their powerful playing of traditional & original 
tunes. 

Alasdair, Muriel & the workshop musicians will play for a dance that evening.
The dance begins at 7 pm and is in the same location as the workshop.

$45 (includes lunch and evening dance)
Some scholarships may be available.

Information: Heather MacKay at 510/653-7507 or hmackay @ sbcglobal.net 


Spud Blossom Special Musical Retreat for Students and Families - Prince Edward Island, 
Canada
August 14 - 21, 2004;
August 21 - 28, 2004.  

Registration and accommodations deposit requested by January 9, 2004.   For more 
information contact 
Myra MacLeod at www.myramac.com 


NEW RELEASE

Jeff Baker - "Live at the Cu na Mara" is a compilation recording of a year's
worth of Traditional Irish sessions at the Cu na Mara pub in Bristol, NH.
Featuring great local talent as well as a few international guests, the 1track
release has something for everyone - from Sean Nos singing, driving tune sets
and airs, to a surprise "Rock and Roll" ending by song great Shannon Aaron.
It's live, it's fun, and it's the "real craic" of traditional Irish music.

The "Carey Street" studio recording features Heather Gilmer on fiddle and
vocals, Jeff Moore on guitar and vocals , and Jeff Baker on flute and whistles.
Released in early November, the recording has been called "beautiful tunes,
great playing" by Liz Carroll, and "Great Stuff" by John Williams.  The release
includes reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes, aires and sings by this solid group of
traditional Irish musicians, along with our usual surprises.

Either of these recordings can be obtained through Jeff Baker Irishflute@juno.com 

CALENDAR

1/2/04 - Pete Sutherland at FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT
1/17/04 - Randal Bays and Daithi Sproule at FlynnSpace in Burlington. VT
1/25/04 -  Jerry Holland and Johnny Cunningham at FlynnSpace in Burlington. VT 
2/16/04 -  Les Charbonniers de l'Enfer (Michel Bordeleau, Jean-Claude Mirandette, Michel 
Faubert, Normand Miron and Andr‚ Marchand) at at FlynnSpace in Burlington, VT

SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

2nd Sundays - English dancing, 6:30-9:30 pm., Presidential Oaks,  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 - 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, $3 827-3732.
Tuesdays - Irish/Celtic Sessions at The Barley House Restaurant and Tavern, 132 North 
Main Street, Concord, N.H. 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  603-229-0083.
Wednesdays -Canadian Jam Session: We play a mixture of French and English Canadian fiddle
tunes as well as some New England tunes and tunes of other origins.
$2 donation requested to cover the rent. Every Wednesday from 7:30 - 10:30 at the Durham,
NH Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (corner of Madbury Rd. and Woodman Ave.). For more 
information call 603-664-2513 or or peter.yarensky @ unh.edu.
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  - of every month Country Dance: Dover, NH City Hall - Upcoming dates Feb. 
5.  No dance Jan. 1 due to the holiday. with Peter Yarensky & Sarah Mason calling and 
teaching, music by the Lamprey River Band. Guest musicians and callers
welcome. 8:00 - 10:40, 
$6. 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, 1/2 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. Frank Woodward  
603-487-2480
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,  All sessions are on 
Saturday afternoons from 3:00 to 6:30 pm at the Fox Library, corner of Mass Ave and 
Cleveland St in East Arlington, Ma. Admission is $1 per person.  Call 781-643-3603 for further 
information and upcoming dates.
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, pygarus@aol.com
3rd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8 pm, East Concord Community Center, $5
4th Saturdays - Contra dance, Kingston, NH, 8:30 pm - various bands. $7, 603-750-7506.

Wishing You all a Happy Holiday Season and New Year !

Some Great Photos of the Gala from our friend Evie Roberts.  Thanks Evie!

	A REMINDER: Deadline for January articles is  January 1.  No calendar dates before  
January 16th 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 Cindy Blaine. All items welcome, depending on space
available; e-mail by the 1st of the month for inclusion in the mid-month
mailing to cmbfiddler @ yahoo.com 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