Granite Skyes
Volume 16 No. 9, May 2004

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, pro tem
 - By: Alice Backer

Hello SRSNH:

Greetings from New York! I am excited about leading the May session. It will be
so nice to see everyone again. I led the group at the March gathering in
1998. Gee, that seems like such a long time ago. Since then, I have retired
from my computer-programming career in Big Business. I am now teaching violin,
fiddle, viola and piano at a local music school. It is nice to have a job that
is almost stress free. Now, getting back to the SRS, when I led the group in
1998, the theme of the music was the Scottish/Bluegrass connection. This time I
will present some of my favorite pure Scottish tunes that this group has not
yet played. And, let me tell you, with your vast collection of tunes, this was
not an easy task. I chose three tunes that are somewhat well known and, in my
opinion, very memorable --- that is, "catchy" and easy to remember. The first
tune is a march called Yehudi Menuhin's Welcome to Blair Castle which was
written by Hector MacAndrew. This march technically has four parts, although
the third part is a variation of the first part and the fourth part is a
variation of the second part. Yehudi Menuhin (1916 - 1999) had one of the
longest and most distinguished careers of any classical violinist in the 20th
century.

Hector MacAndrew (1903 - 1980) was born in Fyvie, which is in the Grampian
Highlands of Scotland. His style of fiddle playing was a great influence to
many Scottish players and he was a frequent performer in concert halls, radio
and television. His dedication to the tunes and technique of the Scottish
fiddle was recognized when he hosted Yehudi Menuhin at Blair Castle in 1974 and
gave him a televised lesson in the Scots fiddle style, in particular the
Strathspey. I first heard Raymond Ellis perform a very moving interpretation of
this gem on one of his recordings.

The second tune is an 18th century Scottish jig called The Sailor's Wife. It is
a D-modal tune. It was first published in a collection by Robert Ross in
1780. It has somewhat of a haunting sound and pairs up well with The Muckin O'
Geordie's Byre and/or Balcomie House. I like to play it in the middle or at the
end of a set because the melody is so different, and as a result, it gives the
set a refreshing lift.

The third tune is Mrs. Jamieson's Favourite. This was written by Charles Grant
(1806 - 1892) from Banffshire. He was a well-known fiddler in the North East
and a student of William Marshall. He inherited Marshall's fiddle after the
death of Marshall. This is Grant's best-known composition. I have included the
music for an easy harmony part, which sounds particularly nice on viola and
cello. For all of the computer geeks out there, I put all of the music together
using a free downloadable music software package called "Finale Notepad 2004a."
This package has many (but not all) of the features of the full-blown Finale
software, which retails for over $600. So, enjoy the music and see you at the
end of May.  Mar sin leibh an drasda!  (Good-bye for now!)  Alice Backer

SRSNH ANNUAL MEETING
 
Just a reminder, the SRSNH Annual meeting with be held on Sunday, May 30, 2004
during our regular music session at the Annicchiarico Theater. If you have not
done so already, please mark your ballot, label the envelope "Ballot" and mail
it by May 25, 2004 to:

SRSNH
102 Little Pond Road
Concord, NH 03301 

If you are planning on attending May's session, you may turn your ballot in at
that time.

FLOWERS IN THE FIELD

Wilson A. Langlois the wonderful French-Canadian fiddler from Nashua, NH passed
away on Monday, May 10.  Wilson was always the life of the parties at Frank and
Susan Woodward's house and he will be missed. He is survived by his wife of
almost 50 years.

UPCOMING SRSNH ACTIVITIES 

SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE GAMES

We will perform in Peterborough on Friday June 4th at 7:30 PM. I have not
selected a program yet..  Please contact me if you are interested in
participating at SMiskoe@aol.com Mark your calendars.

CANCER SURVIVORS DAY 

Denise Robinson is looking for members to play at Cancer Survivors Day on
Sunday, June 6th from 12-2 at the Works Athletic Center, Route 108, Somersworth
NH.

Anyone interested in having fun, and giving the gift of life through music,
please call Denise at 679-1403, or email fiddledee@comcast.net.

HILLSBORO VILLAGE

The SRSNH has been asked to perform for the residents of the Village House
Nursing Home.  We are scheduled to perform on Sunday, July 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Anyone interested in performing should contact Sylvia at Smiskoe@aol.com.

ANNUAL PICNIC

The SRSNH Annual Picnic will be held on Sunday, August 29, 2004 at Sylvia's
home, 102 Little Pond Road, Concord, New Hampshire.  Festivies begin at 2:30
p.m. ending around 7:00 p.m.  Please plan on attending.  This is a lot of fun.
There will be a potluck dinner and a grill available.  Please bring your
instrument.  See you all there!

NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHLAND GAMES

The SRSNH has again been asked to perform at the Highland Games, which will be
held at the Hopkinton, New Hampshire Fairgrounds September 24 thorugh the 26th.
Times for performing have not yet been scheduled.  Mark you calendar.

OTHER UPCOMING SUMMER FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES

FOURTH ANNUAL JULY 4TH FIDDLE CONTEST!

There will be a Fiddler's Contest again this year at the New Boston, annual 4th
of July celebration on Thursday, July 4 at the Hillsboro 4H Fairgrounds in New
Boston, NH. A total of $650 in prizes will go to winners in three categories:
under 11, under 18, and open. The contest begins at 2:00 pm. Contestants are
encouraged to register in advance, but registration will remain open until 1:30
before the contenst begins. Come enjoy all the events of this historic annual
small town celebration from the 10:00 AM parade to the evening fireworks.

To register, arrange piano or guitar back-up, or for more information, contact
Frank Woodward (603) 487-2480; email: nhdancecaller@aol.com attn: Fiddle Contest

SIXTH ANNUAL CCC (CELTIC CAMPING CEILIDH) August 6, 7 & 8 in rural Mason, NH 

A weekend of jamming, singing and frivolity. "Hiland" Games, Saturday night
Stone Soup Feast. $12/person for the weekend includes Saturday's
Feast. Reservations are REQUIRED. For more information contact Sandy Lafleur:
(603) 673-8497 or e-mail - strumma@aol.com

THE FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Portland, Maine - The Center for Cultural Exchange, located in Portland, Maine,
celebrates its 20th anniversary and proudly announces the first annual Festival
of Cultural Exchange. Scheduled for August 6, 7 & 8, the Festival will be a
major summer event presenting an unprecedented array of performances from all
over the world.

Sixty-five artists and ensembles representing 25 countries will offer 160
separate performances at 10 locations during three festival days. Performers
include internationally acclaimed heroes of roots music, ethnic music and dance
traditions, and contemporary innovators; high energy jazz, rock and hip-hop;
music for dancing, and dance in performance; poetry, puppetry, theater, media
arts and performances for children.

Most performances will be indoors or undercover in tents: the Festival will
shine, regardless of the weather forecast. A single ticket ($20 advance/$25
doors, discounts for children 12 and under, seniors and groups) will allow
admission to any and all of the scheduled performances. Friday night will be a
gala Festival kick-off; The Festival will be open on Saturday and Sunday from
noon to midnight. For tickets and other festival information, please visit
their website at centerforculturalexchange.org or calll (207) 761-0591 x106


SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The deadline for applications to be submitted to the Scholarship Committee is
May 31, 2004.  Scholarship money is available for members to further their
study of Scottish music and culture.  There are now several summer programs in
New England, including the Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School, the Gaelic
College in Vermont, and the Maine Fiddle Camp.

Applications may be obtained from any members of the SRSNH Scholarship
Committee.  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 or Elias Abelson 603-431-7092
eafid@aol.com
Please remember to include appropriate supporting documents such
as brochures, catalogs or programs.

BACK MUSIC

Back music should be available for purchase by members by June's session.  The
cost of purchasing the music is not known at this time, but will be sold to
members at cost.  Music will be available in two volumes, Years 1 -6, and Years
7 - 12.  Music for Years 13 - 16 will be available, but not bound.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Cindy Blaine, Secretary

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on  April 20, 2004.   
Various summer activies and performances were discussed. 

The Board will work on making back music available for purchase by members, at
cost, by June's session.  The next Board of Director's meeting is scheduled May
25, 2004 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the NH School of Scottish Arts in
Manchester, and is open to all members.  If you need directions, please contact
me 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; Denise and Jim Robinson
Back Music: Cindy Blaine 
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, May 30, 2004.

Southern NH Games - June 4th, 7:30 p.m. Peterborough, New Hampshire

Cancer Survivors Day - June 6th from 12-2 at the Works Athletic Center, Route
108, Somersworth NH.


RECENT RELEASES

Hanneke Cassel has released a new CD Some Melodious Sonnet. Produced by Laura
Risk, the album is mostly new, original compositions, with some traditional
tunes and "covers" (including a TRIBUTE TO THE BEST ROCK BAND IN THE WORLD.)
Hanneke is joined by some of Boston's, Jamaica Plain's, Nashville's, and
Delaware's BEST including Rushad Eggleston, Christopher Lewis, Dave Wiesler,
Corey DiMario, Jake Armerding, Casey Driessen, and Aoife O'Donovan. There may
or may not be slight Scandanavian moments on the album...but it's mostly
Scottish..."because if it's NAE SCOTTISH, it's cr...... "

To order your VERY OWN PERSONAL copy, you can visit www.hannekecassel.com (and
coming soon...www.cdbaby.com).


CALENDAR

5/16/04

Acoustic Brunch from 11am to 2pm at the Starlight Lounge in Waitsfield. Contact
http://www.eclipsetheater.com.

Social Band at 4pm at the College Street Congregational Church in
Burlington. Sacred and secular works from the 14th century to newly composed
pieces in the shape-note tradition. Contact 802-86FLYNN,
http://www.flynntix.org, 658-8488 or http://www.socialband.org.

Finest Kind at 7pm in the Music Recital Hall at the University of Vermont in
Burlington. Co-sponsored by the Lane Series and the Events for Tom Series. An
Event for Tom. Contact Mark Sustic mrksustc@together.net.

Chulrua (Paddy O'Brien, Patrick Ourceau and Pat Egan) at 7pm at the Old
Firehouse Stage on Route 140 in Tinmouth. Contact Brendan@brendataafe.com.

Featurefolk open mike hosted by Rob Williams at the Starlight Lounge in
Waitsfield. Contact http://www.eclipsetheater.com, robw@acmecoalition.org or
496-7787 x24 after 6pm.

5/17/04

Chulrua (Paddy O'Brien, Patrick Ourceau and Pat Egan) at 7pm at the
Hooker-Dunham Theater in Brattleboro. Contact Brendan@brendataafe.com.

5/19/04

Open Mike Night (acoustic) from 7pm to 9pm at the Second Congregational Church
in Jeffersonville. 3rd Wednesdays. Presented by the Cambridge Arts
Council. Contact Fred Brauer at 644-5721.

5/21/04

Will Danforth at 8pm at the Fullerton Inn on the green in Chester. Contact
875-2444.

Spencer Lewis at the Old Firehouse in Tinmouth.

5/22/04

14th Annual Medieval Country Fair (Children's Concert with Robert Resnik and
Marty Morrissey at 11:30am) at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in
Jericho. Contact rresnik@vpr.net, http://www.GoodShepherdJericho.org or
899-3932.

Bruce Molsky at 7:30pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church on West Street in
Rutland. Possible workshop on Appalachian fiddle style from 1pm to 4pm in
Shrewsbury. Contact Brendan@brendataafe.com.

Susannah Clifford Blachly with Colin McCaffrey, Sarah Blair, Lewis Franco,
Kristina Stykos, Tom MacKenzie and others at 7:30pm at the Plainfield Town Hall
(CD Release Concert for 'Girl In The Photograph' by Susannah Clifford
Blachly). Contact Susannah 426-3955.

Paul Asbell at 8pm at the Fletcher Union Meeting House. Contact Jon Bondy
849-2782 or jbondy@sover.net

Notre Dame de Grass at Club One (1186 Crescent) in Montreal. Contact 514-524-9225.

Family and Contra Dance with Cuckoo's Nest (7pm for family dance, 8pm for
contras and more) at Tracey Hall in Norwich. 4th Saturdays. Contact Rick
Barrows rbarrows@cs.dartmouth.edu.

5/23/04

Acoustic Brunch with Scott McCallister from 11am to 2pm at the Starlight Lounge
in Waitsfield. Contact http://www.eclipsetheater.com.

Eric Johnson with Paul Asbell at 7pm at the Eclipse Theater in Waitsfield.
Contact http://www.eclipsetheater.com.

5/26/04

Natterjack at 7:30pm at Lost Nation Theater in City Hall in Montpelier. Part of
the Vermont Perfomer's Showcase Series. Contact 229-0492 or
http://lostnationtheater.org.

5/27/04

2nd Annual Farewell Reunion concert hosted by Mark Sustic and featuring Pete
Sutherland, Will Patton, Rachel Schattman, Jim McGinniss, Northern Routes, the
Foothills Fogies, Fiddleheads and others beginning at 7pm at Grace Church in
Sheldon. Benefits the Tom Sustic Scholarship Fund. Contact
mrksustc@together.net.

5/29/04

Jenny Whiteley at Club One (1186 Crescent) in Montreal. Contact 514-524-9225.

Contra Dance with Linda Leslie (caller) and Atlantic Crossing (musicians) at
8pm at the Capitol City Grange in Montpelier. 1st, 3rd and 5th
Saturdays. Presented by the Contra Dance Umbrella. Contact Todd or Cindy
744-6163.

Old School Freight Train at 9pm at the Eclipse Theater in Waitsfield. Contact
http://www.eclipsetheater.com.

5/30/04

Acoustic Brunch from 11am to 2pm at the Starlight Lounge in Waitsfield. Contact
http://www.eclipsetheater.com.

Featurefolk open mike hosted by Rob Williams with Gregory Douglas at 7:30pm at
the Starlight Lounge in Waitsfield. Contact http://www.eclipsetheater.com,
robw@acmecoalition.org or 496-7787 x24 after 6pm.

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 May 6, June 3 and July 1.  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

1st Saturdays - Contra dance 8-11pm, Town Hall Petrborough, N.H. (However there
will be no contradance on the first Saturday of June.  There will be a contra
dance on May 29 this year. For more information: (phone): (603) 525-3883, (603)
525-4432; Email: fiddleheads@adelphia.net

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.  For more information, call 603-487-2480 or NHdancecaller@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.

A REMINDER: Deadline for June articles is June 1, 2004.  No calendar dates
before June 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 by 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