Granite Skyes
Volume 16 No. 5, January 2004

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

Kevin Meyers has sent us a sampler of tunes from the Isle of Man which lies
between Ireland and the coast of England/Scotland. Here's what he has to say on
the subject:

You play Scottish music and probably some Irish music and you may even have a
Breton or Welsh tune in your repertory. But do you know any Manx music? You
know, that little island between Ireland and Scotland that was overrun by the
Vikings and is names for the Celtic sea god, Mannan MacLir. Probably not, but
that is not your fault. The music of her Gaelic neighbors, Ireland and
Scotland, has all but submerged the native Manx style. Plus, there were never
that many Manx emigrants to carry the native music around the world. So what
is different about Manx music? My correspondent on the Isle, Colin Jerry,
asserts the lack of a native bagpipe is the reason. Without the constraints of
the bagpipe's Myxolidian mode, the Manx were free to explore other modes and
accompaniments. Therefore, most Manx tunes are in either the Dorian or Aeolian
odes and only a handful are in the Myxolidian. Now I quote Colin:

"To most people these scales sound strange at first. It has persuaded a few
people that the Manx must have been melancholic in temperament. Superficially,
these scales to sound moody, but given a sympathetic harmonic treatment, they
are full of pleasant surprises."

There you have it. Different scales and accompaniment are what makes Manx music
different from her Gaelic neighbors. Colin also tells me that Manx tunes tend
to be simple melodies and are played slower than Scottish or Irish tunes. If
these tunes call to you and you would like to explore other Manx melodies, I
have good news for you. Colin sent me a stack of tunes that I will be delighted
to pass on to you.

GOODBYE TO A DEAR FRIEND
- by Elly Abelson

Johnny Cunningham passed away in New York City on December 15, quietly and
peacefully following a massive heart attack.. He died at home in Trisha's
arms. Trisha is Johnny's partner and love. He was only 46 years old. A wake
was held at the St. Mark's in the East Village in New York City . An additional
service will be held in Scotland at a later date.

Isobel and I have known Johnny since 1982, and, in addition to the effect it
will have on the Scottish music community, I feel a personal sense of loss. In
2001 he was the MC for Celtic night at Summerfest in New Bedford. Our son
Matthew was one of the performers on stage introduced by Johnny who noted that
he had known him since he was a child.

Johnny's brother Phil was the composer of the lovely aire Miss Rowan Davies
that we played at this year's gala.

Johnny was born in Portobello Scotland in 1957 and played the fiddle since the
age of seven. He delighted audiences worldwide with his wry humor and stories.
He was a founding member of Silly Wizard, the group that spearheaded the Scots
side of the Celtic revival in 1970's and 1980's. He has toured with his
brother, Phil Cunningham, both as a duo and with the Celtic "supergroup"
Relativity, which also featured Micheal O'Domhnaill and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill of
The Bothy Band. Johnny not only enjoyed a succcessful career as a solo
performer but was greatly in demand as an award-winning record producer. Among
other ventures he has toured with contemporary singer-songwriter and author,
Bill Morrissey, and crossed over into the world of rock 'n roll, appearing with
Hall & Oates. His own alternative band, Raindogs, made two successful CD's for
Atlantic/Atco Records, and toured with artists such as Bob Dylan, Don Henley,
and Warren Zevon.

Tricia recently prepared a web page for him at www.johnnycunningham.com For
more information, please visit the web site, which includes the opportunity to
send messages, thoughts, etc

SRSNH SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES IN 2004
- By Gary Hume

Could you use a financial grant to further your study of Scottish music?

If so, consider applying for a scholarship. The SRSNH Board of Directors has
appropriated funds for distribution by the Scholarship Committee to support
qualified members. Applications are now being received. The deadline for
applying in the first round of grants is February 28, 2004, and the deadline
for the second and final round is May 31, 2004.

Eligible activies include enrollment in a Scottish music camp, school or
festival, or to study or research traditional music. Eligible applicants must
have been SRSNH members for at least six months (or be a child of an eligible
member), must be at least ten years old, must have studied their instrument for
at least two years, must not be members or familes of either the SRSNH Board of
Directors or the Scholarship Committee, and must not have received consecutive
grants in the last two years.

To apply, obtain an application form from any of the scholarship committee
members and return it postmarked by February 28, 2004 to Gary Hume, 41 Flutter
St., Nottingham, NH 03290. Please remember to include appropriate supporting
documents such as brochures, catalogs or programs.

If you have any questions, or to obtain an application form, contact any of the
following committee members: Gary Hume 603-679-5795, 603-769-6774
(Fx. Library); Susan Willoughby, 603-435-9965 swilloug @ worldpath.net; Elias
Abelson 603-431-7092 eafid @ aol.com

FIRST NIGHT WOLFEBORO
- by Sylvia Miskoe

SRSNH played for a packed audience at the Wolfeboro, NH, First Night on
December 31st. Seventeen members made up the orchestra. We played our Gala
Concert music minus the soloists' sets. Johnny Bassett piped himself down the
center aisle and then played Train Journey North and Barbara's Jig to
enthusiastic clapping. Later he came back with his fireside pipes for Lezlie
and Gordon's Waltz and the Ass in the Graveyard. At 5 PM, producer Bob Reed
discovered that the promised piano was not forthcoming. A panic call to Sylvia
and Justine Paul saved the evening as Justine brought her keyboard. Among the
compliments we received, one stands out: "I love your multi-generational
approach."

NEFFA 2004

The SRSNH has been tentatively scheduled to play at NEFFA on Sunday, the 25th
of April, at 3 PM. Everyone is welcome and we will play the Gala music. If you
are interested, signup is at the next session on January 25, 2004.

DO YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE THE GRANITE SKYES EACH MONTH?

We are still in need of a mailer to do our monthly mailing for the newletter.
This is a very important job, which entails making copies of the music and
newsletter and mailing them out to members each month. At the present time,
your friendly newsletter editor and secretary is doing the mailing as well and
needs a hand. If you are interested in volunteering, please e-mail me at
cmbfiddler @ yahoo.com.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Cindy Blaine, Secretary

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on Tuesday,
December 16, 2003.

The SRSNH will play at the Scottish Country Dance Winter Party in Bedford, New
Hampshire on February 21, 2004. There will be a potluck dinner and should be
lots of fun! Members who are interested in performing should contact Sylvia
Miskoe at 603-225-6546 or smiskoe @ aol.com

The Perth Strathspey & Reel Society would like to visit New England for ten
days from Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 31, 2005. They would like to
perform at various venues during their stay. If any member has a suggestion,
please contact a SRSNH board member.

The next Board of Director's meeting is scheduled on January 20, 2004 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

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; vacant
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, Annicchiarico Music Theater, Thompson
& S. Main Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome;
free, with potluck refreshments. Next gathering Sunday, January 25, 2004.

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

CALENDAR

1/17/04 - Randal Bays and Daithi Sproule will appear in a concert of
traditional Irish music on Saturday, January 17th, 2004 at 7:30pm at FlynnSpace
in the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, Vermont. Tickets
($17.50 advance, $20 day of show) are available by calling 802-863-5966 or
on-line at http://www.flynncenter.org/regional/sustic.html.

1/18/04 - Irish fiddle and guitar workshops from 2pm to 5pm at the College
Street Congregational Church in Burlington. To register contact Malcolm Sanders
at mmsander @ zoo.uvm.edu or 859-0417.

1/21/04 - Open Mike Night (acoustic) from 7pm to 9pm at the Second
Congregational Church in Jeffersonville. Presented by the Cambridge Arts
Council. Contact Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

1/22/04 - Gregory Douglass with Salad Days at Higher Ground in
Winooski. Contact 654-8888 or http://highergroundmusic.com.

1/24/04 - 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

1/24/04 - Andy Webster at 8pm at the Music Box in Craftsbury. Contact 586-7533.

1/24/04 - Garnet Rogers at 8:30pm at Club One (1186 Crescent Street) in
Montreal. Part of the Wintergreen Concert Series presented by Hello Darlin'
Productions. Contact 514-524-9225 (information and reservations),
http://hellodarlinproductions @ hotmail.com, or 514-393-1663 (Club One).

2/7/04 - 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

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 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.

PHOTOGRAPHS OF FIRST NIGHT WOLFEBORO COURTESY OF EVELYN ROBERTS!

A REMINDER: Deadline for February articles is February 1, 2004. No calendar dates
before February 16 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