Granite Skyes
Volume 17 No. 2, October 2004

October Gathering
Sunday, October 31, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
- by Sylvia Miskoe

This month we will have a workshop on accompaniment by Beth Murray.  Beth
lives in Burlington, MA and is a dancer, dance teacher, piano teacher, and
pianist for Scottish Country Dancing.  Here's what she has to say about our
session:   What Can we Do with those Chords?

Are you a guitar player or keyboard player perplexed with the chords written
for Scottish music? Are you an accompanist looking for something more creative
to do other than um-chunk, um-chunk? Are you a melody instrument player curious
about chords and interesting back-up styles? Then here's a workshop for you!

Beth Murray has been playing chords for Scottish music for decades! Beth
recorded an album/tape titled, Boston Hospitality (released in 1987). She can
also be heard on several live recordings of the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club in
concert, as well as on several tracks on a Boston Branch sponsored CD,
celebrating the Branch's 50th anniversary in the year 2000. In addition to
Scottish country dancing, Beth is an active musician in the contra dance world
(Back Cove, a CD featuring Bill Smith on banjo, just released spring 2004) as
well as music for English dancing.

Beth has made a list of tunes from our repertoire.  She will select from this
list.  Yes, we both know it is larger than we can actually look at, but Beth
wanted flexibility in making the choices of the day.  She also made an outline
of various accompaniment techniques.  Both sheets are enclosed in the mailing.

Not everyone can come to the session, so I have included a Shetland air.  Twa
Fiddles at da Fireside was written by Tom Anderson.  Linda Keen, a pupil from
the United States, created these harmonies as she learned the tune from Tom.

NEW HAMPSHIRE HIGHLAND GAMES -- September 25 and 26th 
- by Sylvia Miskoe
 
'Excuse me, I just want to say how much we enjoyed your performance.'  'You
were the best part of the day!'  'When is your next performance?'

I heard these comments all weekend.  This year there were more members than
ever before playing at the Highland Games.  Members came from California, New
York, New Jersey, and even John Turner sat in on Saturday.  Forty-six signed up
for one or both days.  On Saturday in the NH Games tent, we didn't fit on
stage, about 20 sat in front of it.  Sunday morning we crowded into the Fiddle
& Dance Hall at 9:30; for a while there were more musicians than audience.
Later we returned to the NH Games tent for a final performance.  Time is always
strictly controlled, and SRS made an impression with our ability to get on
stage, set up and play with minimal wasted time.  We managed to end our
performances within moments of the allotted time.

In the competitions, Molly Traynor received a medal for best slow air in the
novice junior fiddle.  One of the busiest members was Alicia Lekas.  On Friday
she danced with her granddaughters in presentations for the Hopkinton Schools,
during the weekend she did whistle workshops for the youth program, and she
competed in the national dance, New England championships and group
choreography dancing.  She placed 5th in both the national dance and
championships competitions.

On the light side, while Alasdair played macarena rhythms in the Durgin Arena,
Cindy Blaine and Katie Botsford led a group in the movements of the dance.
Mini concerts provided much inspiration.  John Turner from Williamsburg, VA,
played and sang on the Wee Front Porch.  Paul Anderson from near Aberdeen,
Scotland, judged the open fiddle competitions and treated listeners to many
tunes by Scott Skinner.  SRS members met Paul, who played with us on our tour
in Scotland in 1996.  John Carmichael sang and played accordion in the Beer
Tent.  And of course Alasdair played and led workshops all weekend.  The
weather was perfect, too.  Be sure to check out Evelyn Roberts' web site for
photos.  I want to thank everyone for all their efforts.  It was one of the
best Games performances!!

UPCOMING GALA -- Sunday, November 28, 2004 
Sign up for the Gala!!
 
We had 46 people playing at the NH Games. 

Can we top that number? 

Sign up for the Gala, either at the session on the 31st or by emailing me at
smiskoe (at) aol.com or phoning me at 603-225-6546.  Music sets will be available at
the session on the 31st.  If you can't make that session, I will mail you a
set.

Our guest artist will be Rod Stradling.  Rod is a great accordionist now living
in Britain.  When he lived in Andover, MA, he was a regular at our sessions and
concerts.  Kip Ferguson will be MC.  The NH School for Scottish Arts will be
piping, drumming and dancing.  It's going to be a great afternoon so don't be
left out.

Advertising in the Gala Program 

"Do you have a business you'd like to advertise in the Gala Program?"

Business card sized ads are just $17 for member ads.  Please send your ad copy
before Nov. 10th to: Sandy Lafleur, P.O. Box 1053, Amherst, NH 03031.  Contact
Sandy at: strumma (at) aol.com

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
by Katie Botsford

Dear SRS NH:
 
First I want to thank SRS for giving me the scholarship to the first year of
the VT Gaelic College--held this August at Shelburne Farms, VT. Quite frankly I
am still reeling from the experience, literally and figuratively.

The first day up there I was nervous, didn't expect to know anyone or what the
schedule would be. I was very glad to see Connie, Kylie and Tim from SRS, and
spent the first night walking around the beautiful grounds--right on the Lake
Champlain Bay--while listening to piping and fiddling and more piping into
nightfall. In the morning, I discovered that Jeanne Van Order was also there,
and we took three fiddle classes together. The first was in a white tent
outside the castle-like buildings, with Sandy MacIntyre, a veteran fiddler from
Toronto. He had us play some jigs, and explained bowing and some
ornamentation. We asked lots of questions! With Sandy, we played new tunes every
day, including duets, the usual MSR, jigs, and some by J Scott Skinner which I
have heard on Alasdair Fraser's recordings--including the Acrobat and the
Mathematician.

Then on to Jennifer Roland. Her sound was wonderful, beautiful; her playing
lively and soulful. She spent much of the week explaining different types of
ornamentation, with us trying out double stops, warbles, hammer ons, slides,
etc. At the end of the week, she introduced us to some pieces her sister had
written. But she may best be remembered by the moment during an evening dance
where she "fell through the cracks" of the stage while playing, didn't
miss a beat-- and kept those feet dancing too!

Our third class of the day was with Dara White. When asked about how to do
'cuts', she found us a piece, McNabb's Hornpipe in 4 parts, with plenty of them
to work on! She was a great teacher , very solid, very responsive, attentive to
the needs of the class while making sure we kept on track. We really came away
with a sense of having learned something we could perfect at home. Throughout
the week we also worked on two strathspeys, discussed how the tempos can be
slower or faster depending on character and context of the music (and the
player!), how strathspeys tend to have more ornamentation than reels, more on
bowing techniques for reels and strathspeys (including some examples of 'the
up-driven bow').

In the afternoon, I opted to take a class in step dancing, which was
surprisingly aerobic, and a lot of fun. When we had a community Dance on Wed
night, we all knew the three formations and the basic reel and jig steps to
them, and could help others keep up! I also managed to add in a class on
beginning Gaelic and went home saying gle mhath! and sin e! and Tha mi sona! to
my family.

By the end of the week I was exchanging email addresses, hugging organizers and
dance teachers good-bye, and wondering how to keep alive what I had learned and
experienced in such a short but full week! I was so inspired by the whole
experience, that at the library back home I checked out a History of Scotland
and a Gaelic language course on tape, and then signed up for lessons in Cape
Breton Fiddling for the Fall. I've probably gone a bit over the edge--but
enjoying it thoroughly !

Again, I want to thank SRS for this enriching experience--what a treat to spend
a week with all ages of harpists, dancers, pipers, drummers, singers and
linguists from Canada, the USA and Scotland!

A SPECIAL INVITATION

I would like to invite SRSNH members to attend the concert "Out on the Edge"
sponsored by the RSCDS Boston Branch.  The date is November 13, 2004.

We will feature the fine fiddling of Boston's wonderful young players.  Four
members of the ensemble have been nominated to receive the 2004 Boston Music
Award!

I hope you will consider attending the concert.  Feel free to bring guests to
welcome and expose them to our rich tradition of music and dance.

Check out our website for more information:

http://www.rscdsboston.org/NovConcert2004/index.html

Thank you very much,

Susie Petrov


OTHER FUN AND USEFUL INFORMATION

Here is a review of a new tune book:

The Fiddler's Throne
 
First there was the New England Fiddler's Repertoire by Randy Miller and Jack
Perron.  Next there was the Portland Collection by Sue Songer.  Now Randy has
compiled a new collection titled The Fiddler's Throne.  There are 375 tunes -
jigs, reels, marches, waltzes - from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Cape Breton,
and of course, New England.  Some tunes are 'trad'; others have known composers
from the 18th to the 21st century.

Randy has done a perfectionist's job of arranging the tunes by tempo, and
alphabetically.  In addition, there are notes on the tunes and composers, a
bibliography and a discography.  There are 14 tunes composed by Ralph Page and
28 by John Taggart.  Most contra dance collections include only tunes with two
parts.  This collection has a number of tunes with three and four parts.  Great
for a session or a square.

The cover of the book has a drawing of a fiddler's throne for indeed this is a
piece of furniture sometimes found in New England dance halls.  For information
on ordering your copy, write Randy Miller, 17 North Rd, Alsead, NH 03602, or
603-835-7889, or jrmiller (at) sover.net.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Nancy Normand, Pro Tem Secretary

The Board welcomed Nancy Normand and Connie Eppich, who will serve as members
at large.  The Board voted to publish the treasurer's reports in the monthly
newsletter.  Music for the Gala will be available at the October 31 session.
 
SRSNH OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, & VOLUNTEERS
Music Director:  Sylvia Miskoe
Board of Directors: 
Marianne Taylor, President
Don Young, Vice President 
Ed Los, Treasurer  (Term expires May 2005)
Cindy Blaine, Secretary (Term expires May 2005)
Len Buswell, Member at Large 
Nancy Normand -- Member at Large (Term Expires May 2005)
Connie Eppich -- Member at Large (Term Expires May 2005)
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 

SRSNH EVENTS

Gala -- Sunday, November 28, 2004  2:30 p.m. Annicchiarico Theater, Concord, NH

CALENDAR

Lissa Schneckenberger & Phantom Power, Corey DiMario & others: Concerts and
Dances see: www.lissafiddle.com

Spirit Fiddle: The schedule is busy, and actual
performance times are often not set until the last weeks. Here are the highlights for the next
several weeks, and more details are available on the website at  www.spiritfiddle.com 
Spirit Fiddle Performances:
	Oct 15 - Friday - Boston Museum of Fine Arts in Boston MA
Oct 16 - Saturday - Marblehead Pumpkin Festival in Marblehead MA
Oct 23 - Saturday - CF Foundation Wine Tasting in Nashua NH
Nov 5 - Friday - Karen's Climb Foundation Benefit Concert in Nashua NH
Nov 13 - House Concert in Maine, may be rescheduled to Dec 11
Nov 19 - Friday - Boston Museum of Fine Arts in Boston MA
Nov 21 - Sunday - Charity Night at the Hanover Mall in Hanover MA
Nov 27 - Saturday - Holiday Stroll in Nashua NH

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 (at) 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, NH 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 (at) unh.edu.

Wednesdays -- Fiddle on Wednesday -- open jams -- alternate between Ashland, NH
(Booster's Club) and the Gordon-Nash Library, New Hampton ( 7 PM )

1st Wednesdays -- Jam session, 7 pm, Foodee's, in the Milford Oval, Milford,
N.H. Sandy Lafleur 603-673-8497 or strumma (at) aol.com.

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

Thursdays:  Acoustic Open Mic  7:30 PM  -- Green Martini -- 8 Pleasant Street
Extension, Concord, NH  (host:  Duane D'Agnese)

First Thursday of every month:  Dance -- Dover City Hall -- Peter Yarensky &
Sarah Mason calling & teaching;  Music by:  Lamprey  River Band; 8 -- 10:40 PM
cost:  $7 /$5 students; more info & directions :  664-2513 or peter.yarensky (at) unh.edu

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

Fridays -- Press Room, Portsmouth, NH -- Irish Music sessions (open) -- 4:30 PM
or so to when the music upstairs starts (9 PM)

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, NH Open band. Frank
Woodward  603-487-2480

1st Saturdays -- Contra dance 8-11pm, Town Hall Peterborough, N.H.  For more
information: (phone): (603) 525-3883, (603) 525-4432; Email: fiddleheads (at) adelphia.net

Saturday afternoon - play fiddle with John Campbell at his home in Maynard,
MA. 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.

Second Saturdays  Dance -- Gilmanton, NH Town Hall (Academy Building)
(intersection Rtes 107 & 14) -- 8 -- 11pm.  info:  (603) 267-7227; Sept. 11 --
Music:  Bill Perry, Patrick Horning, Dave Medritz; Caller:  Byron Ricker;
Oct. 9 Old New England, Caller:  Don Primrose; November 13, Randy Miller &
Friends, Caller: Sue Hunt; Dec. 11 -- Two Fiddles, Caller:  Dudley Laufman

2nd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8-11pm, Francestown, NH Town Hall.  Frank
Woodward.  For more information, call  603-487-2480 or NHdancecaller (at) aol.com 

Third Saturdays -- Dance -- East Concord, NH Community Center 8PM   info: dwh (at) nhvt.net

4th Saturdays - Contra dance, Kingston, NH, 8:30 pm - various bands. $7, 603-750-7506.

Saturdays -- Acoustic Outfitters, Stratham, NH -- AMS -- open

A REMINDER: Deadline for November articles is  November 1, 2004.  No calendar
dates before November 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 (at) yahoo.com in text only format. Email subscription is
free; send request to bmcowen (at) world.std.com.   The SRSNH Web Page is maintained
by Terry Traub, http://www.srsnh.org