Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire

Granite Skyes 
Vol 15, No 8. April 2006 


SRSNH 2006 Gatherings: 
April 30, May 28 & Jun 25

1-5pm.  Free admission!  All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome; with
potluck refreshments.

NOTES FROM THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Music Director Notes
April 2006

Our April session will be led by Jerry Holland.  For those who do not know
Jerry, he is an amazing Cape Breton fiddler, excellent teacher, and warm kind
man.  Jerry is not sending any tunes in advance.  He likes to meet the group,
assess their abilities and needs, and then begin teaching.  We will have his
tunes at some point afterwards.
So, this month the tunes will be American from the square and contra dance
repertoires.  I am including some American tunes in our Scotland Tour program
and here they are, for everyone.
Whalen's Breakdown, Le Reel des Jeunes Maries and Eddie's Reel are traditional
tunes originally from Quebec, Canada.  The three jigs, Rock Valley, Little
Burnt Potato and Jimmy's Favorite are also down from Canada.  I have also heard
Rock Valley on some Scottish Dance recordings.  Whalen's Breakdown and Little
Burnt Potato were popularized by Canadian Maritime radio and TV fiddler Don
Messer.  These tunes are great for dancing and make you feel good when you play
them.

SRS at NEFFA

Our concert is in the Small Hall on Sunday at 3 pm.  We will have a practice in
the practice room at 11:00 am.  Also, I will have a practice at my house for
anyone who wishes on Wednesday April 19th at 7:30 pm.
We will be playing music from our Gala 2005 program.  We have a limited time so
be prepared to have me suddenly say "This is our last piece." 

If we can do everything we will do:
Marches!
Reels!
Bert Murray set
Caroline's Polka
Waltz tunes beginning The Four Marys
Mackintosh set
Waltzes beginning Anna
Finale!
Also we will do Annie Laurie with Susan.  That is #10.5 in the music collection.

Jerry Holland Returns!

Again, Cape Breton Fiddler and teacher, Jerry Holland, will be our guest at our
April 30th session.  He is a wonderful musician and a kind teacher.  Several
years ago he was our guest artist at the Gala and he also spent a weekend doing
workshop lessons and a small concert.  Sadly, the weather was bad and we had
only a handful of folks.  
We should have no weather problems in April.   Jerry is willing to do lessons
in the morning, either private ($45/hour), semi-private ($30/1.5 hour), or
large group ($25/1.5 hour, 5 persons).  If you are interested please contact
Sylvia who will organize them.
Come early to be sure you have a seat, or better still, bring your own chair.

SRS Board Meeting
 
The Nominating committee nominated the following candidates for the Board of
Directors positions that must be filled for this year.  Those nominate have
agreed to serve if elected:

  President:  Marianne Taylor
  Vice President: Audrey Danielson
  Member-at-Large:  Margery Swope
 
The following officers serve until 2007:
   Treasurer:  Bob Reed
   Secretary:  Connie Eppich
   Member-at-Large:  Betsy Woodman
 
The newly elected Board will fill any vacant positions, such as Music Director
and appointed Member-at-Large, as needed.

Also, a biography of Audrey Danielson was provided:
Audrey Marie Danielson is a private music teacher, freelance writer, artist,
and photographer. Audrey has won several awards for short stories, a picture
book, paintings, and photographs. She owns and teaches at Audrey's Music
World-Belisle Music, Bedford, NH. Audrey teaches classical violin, fiddle,
mandolin, banjo and guitar. Her Celtic group, the Emerald Strings, performs
throughout NH. She lives with her partner Roland Belisle and their small and
very bossy Shi Tzu, Gizmo.
Audrey became involved with the Strathspey & Reel Society of NH after having
attended a Gala four years ago. She was so impressed with the quality of the
group that she asked if she could join. Up to that time she had only played
Irish Celtic music. She decided that since she was Scottish, she should play
the music of her roots. She is thoroughly enjoying doing so.

Modernize your Granite Skyes!

Are you interested in receiving your Granite Skyes newsletter and the music by
email?  We can save a lot of money each month for the Society by doing this!
If you have already let Denise Robinson (our mailing maven) know that you'd
like this method, that's fine.  If not, please do contact her at:
fiddledee at comcast.net  and make sure she has your email address. 

Scholarship committee announcement

Last month I reminded everyone who is interested in a scholarship this year
that the criteria for consideration and the application form will be made
available this month. The application will require a description of the
activity, a brochure if available, cost of the program, and how SRSNH will
benefit from your experience. The deadline for filing this year is May 1. 

The criteria and form may be found on the SRSNH website under membership
heading. Use the link: http://www.terrytraub.org/srsnh (then go to "Membership"
and scroll down) to get to the form. The form and related material may be sent
to me for receipt no later than May 1, at the following address: Elias Abelson,
100 Eastwood Drive,  Portsmouth, NH 03801. Any questions call me at
603-431-7092. The committee, Katie Botsford, Linda Amundsen, and I will begin
our review of applications after the May 1 deadline.

Elly Abelson
Chair, Scholarship Committee

Games at Loon Mountain

The games have moved back to Loon Mountain and will be held Sept 22, 23, 24.
SRS is invited to play but I do not know any other details.   I expect we will
have 2 condos as in the past, and a fixed number of tickets.  There will be a
deadline for signing up for tickets. Trust me, I will keep you all posted as I
find out schedules and arrangements. Hopefully I will meet with the management
later this month to learn more details. - Sylvia

Concord House Concert and Workshop

On May 20th Lissa Schneckenburger, Scottish /Irish fiddler will be performing
somewhere in Concord at a House Concert. This concert is open to the interested
public. There will also be 2 workshops offered one for fiddlers and one for
guitarists. This workshop will be broken into 2 groups so this will be an
excellent opportunity for mandolin, bass, or bouzouki players too! The
Workshops will be held May 20th, 3-5 PM fee 15$. The House Concert is at 8PM
entrance 10$ WHAT A DEAL! For details and locations please call ANA at 228-5535
or e-mail: aphauser at excite.com Reservations needed for both events.

JULY 4TH FIDDLE CONTEST!

New Boston's Fiddler Contest is back again this year at the (6th) annual 4th of
July celebration at the Hillsboro 4H Fairgrounds in New Boston, NH.  A total of
$650 in prizes will go to winners in three categories: under 12, under 18, and
open. The contest begins at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 4th. Contestants are
encouraged to register in advance, but registration will remain open until 1:40
before the contest 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 back-up, and volunteer to help, or for more information,
contact Frank Woodward (603) 487-2480; email: nhdancecaller at aol.com, Subj:
Fiddle Contest

Editors' notes

Last month I mentioned, April 29 will be a great night for good music.  You can
go see Buddy MacMaster and Liz Carroll in Cambridge MA or you can go to the
CanAm Footstompin' Music Fest in Lexington MA.   Well I got an update on the
CanAm show.   The McDades won't be able to make the trip from Edmonton, and
"JOE CORMIER & THE WEDNESDAY NIGHTERS" will fill the spot on the lineup. Joe is
from Cheticamp, has lived most of his life in Waltham MA.  Joe once played in
the "Cape Breton Symphony" along with Angus Chisholm, Wilfred Gillis, Winston
"Scotty" Fitzgerald and Jerry Holland. Jerry and Joe were the young guys.  You
can see the updated CanAm flyer (in webpage size) at:
http://www.patiorecords.com/musicfest2006.html

In addition to Sylvia, thanks to Mike Vose,  Frank Woodward,and Elly Abelson
for their contributions to this months' newsletter.  Input is welcome from
anybody.  Have you been to a good local dance, are you playing out somewhere,
or just have something to say?  Drop me an email at jackieaxe at earthlink.net. 

SRSNH EVENTS CALENDAR

Music for Music Concert Series
Concerts at St. Mary's High School, 27 Bartlett St, Westfield MA  Shows start
at 7:30PM doors opening at 7:00 Call 413-562-6569 to reserve or for
info. Advanced Tickets $14, $18 at the door Kids (6-12) $6 and $9 under 6 free.
- April 22, 2006 NYC Irish traditional at its best! Marie & Martin Reilly & friends.
- May 20, 2006: A Cape Breton Ceilidh with Derrick and Melody Cameron.

Patio Records presents 10th Annual Healing Garden Music Fest Canadian and US
performers from the maritimes to the Prairies.  Footstompin' acoustic music:
Celtic, folk, bluegrass, country, French-Canadian, and more!
Featured headliners: J.P. Cormier (Cape Breton), Five2 (Ithaca), Terry Tufts
(Fitzroy Harbour, ON), The Laws (Gananoque, ON), and, Joe Cormier (Cape
Breton)!  Saturday, April 29th; Time : 7:30 PM, at the National Heritage
Museum's Maxwell Theater, Lexington MA, 33 Marrett Rd,  Tickets : $18 in
advance, $22 at door, $ 2 discount for Canadian-American Club members, WUMB
members, and students.
 Website: www.patiorecords.com
Email : musicfest at patiorecords.com

Childsplay Benefit
Buddy MacMaster and Liz Carroll are doing benefit concerts for Childsplay in
Cambridge, MA: Sat April 29 8pm ($25) and in Portland, ME: Fri April 28 7:30pm
($20).  To order tickets by mail, send a SASE to Childsplay, c/o Lamey, 27
School St, Natick Ma. 01760. Portland show tickets also at Bull Moose Music
Outlets (addition $2 surcharge), at the Rosemont Market and Bakery, 559
Brighton Ave Portland, and at the door.  More info: http://www.childsplay.org
email: rchilds618 at aol.com. 	

Reoccurring Events

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.  Come early and enjoy the
great food!

2nd Sundays - English dancing, 5:30-7:45pm, Presidential Oaks, Pleasant St,
Concord NH $6, or $5 for ECDSNH members.  Judith Ackerson 603.934.2543 or
jnoska at cyberportal.net. 
1st, 2nd & 3rd Wednesdays-Scottish Country dance, 7-9 pm, Church of the Good
Shepherd, 214 Main St, Nashua NH.  $3.  Also, 4th and 5th Wednesdays-Scottish
Country dance, 7-9 pm, Chandler Library, 257 Main St., Nashua, NH. Free. More
info: Loren Wright 603-891-2331, NashuaSCD at comcast.net, or
www.homepage.mac.com/lonwright/NashuaSCD

3rd Sundays- Gaelic Club, 3-7pm, Canadian American Club, Watertown MA FROM
Cassie Hansel, Peggy Morrison, 978-858-3792.

Mondays - Contra dance, 8-10:30, callers & musicians welcome to take a
turn. Nelson NH Town Hall, $3 827-3732.

Tuesdays - Irish/Celtic Sessions at The Barley House Restaurant and Tavern, 132
North Main St Concord NH 7-10:00 pm.  603-229-0083.

Wednesdays (2nd) - Canadian Jam Session: mixture of French, English Canadian
and New England fiddle. $2; 7:30-10:30; at the Durham NH Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship (corner of Madbury Rd & Woodman Ave) Info: 664-2513 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 (7PM)

Wednesday "Slow Jam"- Concord Community Music School; 7:30-9PM voluntary
donation; info: 226.1966 or cordway at cmusicschool.org.

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

1st Thursday every month: Dover, NH City Hall - Contra/square Dance with the
Peter Yarensky & Sarah Mason calling and teaching, music by the Lamprey River
Band. Beginners welcome; all dances taught. Guest musicians and callers
welcome. 8:00-10:40, $7, students $5. Info/directions: Peter Yarensky,
603-664-2513 or peter.yarensky at unh.edu.

Fridays - Press Room, Portsmouth, NH - Irish Music sessions (open) - 4:30-9:00
PM

Fridays - Seacoast Scottish Country Dance class, Greenland Parish Hall on Rte
151, Greenland NH, 7:30-9:30 pm, thru 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), 8pm- 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. (phone):
(603) 525-3883, (603) 525-4432; Email: fiddleheads at adelphia.net.

Play fiddle Saturday afternoon with John Campbell at his Maynard MA home. For
specifics,  John 978-897-7031.

Saturday Afternoons, Arlington MA (781-643-3603 for info and dates) Trad Music
Sessions, from 3:00 to 6:30 pm at the Fox Library, corner of Mass Ave &
Cleveland St.  $1 

Second Saturdays Dance - Gilmanton, NH Town Hall (Academy Building)
(intersection Rtes 107 & 14) 8-11pm.  info: (603) 267-7227; Dec 11 - Two
Fiddles, Caller: Dudley Laufman

2nd Saturdays - Contra dance, 8-11pm, Francestown, NH Town Hall.  Frank
Woodward.  For info: 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 778-9711 www.aomusicshop.com
October through May on the first and third Saturdays of the month, 2-5 pm. 

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 Jack Langley. 
All items welcome, depending on space available; If you have something to
include in this news letter, you can email or phone.  Deadline for submissions
is the 1st of the month.  Afterwards, if the submission is still relevant it
will be considered for the next issue.

Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire
Newsletter Editor
Jack Langley
26 Buttonwood Drive
Hollis NH 03049
603.465.4022
jackieaxe at earthlink.net

SRSNH  Next Gathering: 
Sunday April 30, 2006          
1-5pm.  Free admission.  All ages, all instruments, all levels welcome; with potluck refreshments.  At the 
Annicchiaricco Music Theater: 1 Thompson St. at South Main St.  Take I-93 to
Exit 13 or 14.  Take South Main St to Thompson, 2 blocks south of Pleasant St
(Rts 202/9), 1 Block north of the Capital Center for the Arts.  Free parking on
the street. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE RESIDENT'S LOT.