Granite Skyes
Volume 17 No. 3, November 2004

December Gathering
Sunday, December 26, 2004
1-5 pm, Annicchiaricco Theater
Concord, NH

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
- by Sylvia Miskoe

There is no music for the month of November. We are all getting ready for the
Gala Concert on November 28th.  If you are not playing but you would
like to be a part of the concert, we are looking for volunteers for that
afternoon - ushers, assistance with tickets, bringing snacks and helping at
that table during intermission.

People often ask me how I create a dance arrangement, so I thought I'd take
this opportunity to tell you a little about how I do it.  It's part experience,
part creativity and part luck.  Sometimes the dance has a specific tune and I
have to choose similar tunes to match the 'name' tune.  Other times the
directions just read "a good jig."  I have a large library of music and I
listen to lots of recordings and keep a list of tunes that should get played.
There are only two rules for making a set:

First rule - A tune should be followed by another tune that is in a different key.

Second rule - Do not move down one step.

Let's look at Sugar Candie, a popular Strathspey.  I have done three different
arrangements for this dance but the last one is satisfactory enough that I
probably won't make a fourth. The name tune is the Earl of Angus and Arran by
William Marshall and it is in F.

There are lots of possibilities for the next tune.  You can go down to D, or D
minor, up one step to G, or up to A or A minor.  Theoretically, you can also go
to F minor, but there are very few tunes in F minor and probably fewer people
who enjoy playing them.  I chose The Gareloch, (SRS 8.34).  It is in G.
Nice move from F to G.  The dancers will get a lift as they start their 2nd
round.  The 3rd tune can be in A, A minor, G minor or D.  I pick The Marquis of
Huntley , (SRS 6.35) also by Marshall.  It's a powerful G minor tune, just
right for the new top couple's first round.  Now for the 4th tune. 

In theory G minor can be followed by A, A minor or C or D.  The 4th tune has to
move both to the 2nd tune, which is in G, and to the 1st tune., which is in F.
I already have a G and a G minor tune.  If I pick a tune in A, it will move to
a G tune.  Not the best choice.  That leaves a D tune.  I look through my list
of D tunes and see one I like a lot, Mr Muir MacKenzie's Favorite.  It has a
very traditional feel and should work.

There it is.  The final test - do the other musicians like playing these tunes
and will the dancers enjoy them?  No complaints from anyone.  This set is a
keeper!

UPCOMING GALA -- Sunday, November 28, 2004 
- by Sandy Lafleur

The 16th Annual Gala Concert Approaches!

Sunday afternoon at 2:30, November 28 will see Scottish flags flying out front
of the Concord City Auditorium to the skirl of the pipes!  In the front lobby,
Clan members can "check in" to have their clans formally recognized during the
concert.

Kip Ferguson will MC an exciting and colorful program of Scottish music,
dance and song.  Our featured performer this year is accordionist Rod Stradling
from the U.K.  The School of Scottish Arts pipe band will play for their own
Scottish dancers.  Our Music Director, Sylvia Miskoe, has put together a lovely
program of music for our Ensemble to play - nearly 50 musicians this year!

If you don't have your tickets yet, contact Mary Mokler ASAP at (603)286-8211
or e-mail her at: SRSNHgala at aol.com Tickets are $15, $12 & $9.  What a
wonderful Thanksgiving weekend tradition for the whole family!

For those of you who are participating rehearsal are:

Sat. 11/13 at the Audi.
Sun. 11/21 at the Annichiaricio
Sat. 11/27 at Lake Shore Farm

Dress for the Gala Concert is nice - black, white & tartan.

Thanks!  Sandy

BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
-by Cindy Blaine

The Gala is on track.  We still need volunteers for ushers and selling tickets
at the door.  We will be playing at Wolfeboro First Night.  We will be
performing from 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the All Saints Epsicopal Church.  Anyone
who would like to participate should contact Bob Reed at at 603-569-9424 or
skprbob at worldpath.net

CONGRATULATIONS

to SRS member Jim Robinson for taking 2nd place in the violin makers
competition sponsored by The Violin Makers Association of Arizona
International.  Jim entered two violins and a cello (his first).  His cello
placed 2nd in the tone category, with a 2nd place overall.  His violins placed
5th and 13th overall.

There were over 100 instruments entered from all across North America.  Jim has
a string shop in NH, Renaissance Strings, where he builds and repairs bowed
instruments.  He is the assistant to the instructor Karl Roy, Master Violin
Maker from Mittenwald Germany, at the Violin Craftsmanship Institute at UNH.
You may see the award and visit the gallery page.

Outstanding.  Congratulations again Jim.

IN THIS SEASON OF THANKSGIVING

A Big "Thank You":
 
To Beth Murray for the accompanist workshop she taught at our October session.
It was both fun and informative!

And a special "Thank You" to:

Cal Gardner.  Cal always keeps us well fed preparing tea and snacks at our
monthly sessions.  Cal's efforts and participation in the SRSNH, if not always
acknowledged, are always appreciated!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL SRSNH MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS. Gobble Gobble.


SRSNH OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, & VOLUNTEERS
Music Director:  Sylvia Miskoe (May 2006)
Board of Directors: 
Marianne Taylor, President (May 2006)
Don Young, Vice President  (May 2006
Ed Los, Treasurer  (Term expires May 2005)
Cindy Blaine, Secretary (Term expires May 2005)
Len Buswell, Member at Large (May 2006)
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

First Night  Wolfboro -- December 31, 2004 9:00 p.m.

CALENDAR

Two Cape Breton Nights of Square Dancing, Step Dancing and Music onThanksgiving
Weekend featuring Buddy MacMaster, Kinnon and Betty Lou Beaton on:

Nov 26 - Friday from 7:30 p.m. -- midnight at the Canadian American Club, 202
Arlington Street, Waterton, MA

Nov 27 - Saturday from 7:30 p.m. -- midnight at the French American Victory
Club, 193 Elm St., Waltham, MA.  Tickets are $13.00 per night.  Call
781-893-2884 for further info.

Spirit Fiddle Performances - more details are available on the website at
www.spiritfiddle.com Spirit Fiddle Performances:

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

Child's Play Concerts -- for more detail, check out their website at www.childsplay.org

Child's Play Performances:

Dec 2 - Thursday Brattleboro, VT The Latchis Theater 7:30 p.m. or info, contact
Peter Amidon at (802) 257 - 1006

Dec 3 -- Friday Portland, ME   Portland High School 7:30 p.m. For
info, contact Eli Berry at (207) 845 - 2140 or (508) 653 - 3482

Dec 4 -- Saturday Somerville, MA Somerville Theater 8:00 p.m. For info, contact
Mary Lamey (508) 653-3482

Dec 5 -- Sunday Lexington, MA Museum of Our Natl. Heritage 2:00 p.m. For info,
contact Mary Lamey (508) 653-3482

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.  Second 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.

Wednesday "Slow Jam" -- Concord Community Music School -- 7:30 -- 9 PM starting
Oct 13, 2004 -- voluntary donation; info: 226 1966 or cordway at ccmusicschool.org

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.

Saturday Jam Session -- Acoustic Outfitters -- Stratham, NH  (778-9711
www.aomusicshop.com) from October to May 1st and 3rd Saturdays. 2-5PM

A REMINDER: Deadline for December articles is  December 1, 2004.  No calendar
dates before December 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 comcast.net
The SRSNH Web Page is maintained by Terry Traub, http://www.srsnh.org