Granite Skyes 
Vol 15, No 10. June 2006
 
SRSNH 2006 Next Gathering - June 25

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

Notes from the Musical Director

The first tune is a jig called Ninety Three Not Out.  It is by Will Atkinson,
1908-2003.  Will was from Northumberland and worked with his uncle, Geordie, as
a shepherd and rabbit catcher.  He also was a natural musician, playing mouth
organ, one row melodeon, and two and three row button accordions.  In the
1930's he formed a dance band to play for local dances.  Northumberland borders
Scotland and Scottish dance music, especially that of Jimmy Shand, influenced
his style.  He returned to mouth organ in middle age and that is the instrument
he is best known for.  On his 93rd birthday he played this jig while Alistair
Anderson wrote it down.  Will said, 'I like to hear this tune played as a
strict 6/8 march with a stately tempo of a highland pipe band.'  May we all
still be playing at 93!

Allen Browne sent me a CD of Paul Anderson playing tunes by Hector MacAndrew
and the sheet music for one of the tunes, The Falls of Bruar.  It is played in
a very legato manner with a sweet expression.  Hector MacAndrew (1903-1980) was
an influential Northeast fiddler.  He is best known for his interpretations of
the Gows’, Marshall and Skinner, to name a few.  Besides performing, he was a
teacher and an adjudicator.

We had a great afternoon May 28th with Barbara McOwen teaching some Angus Grant
tunes.  Here is the music for them.

June is the last of our sessions for the season and ends the sixth year of my
tenure as music director.  It is a position that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and
I look forward to each session.  However, I feel it is time that SRS begin to
look for a new music director.  No, I am not resigning, I am asking if there
are others who would like to participate, apprentice, learn what I do.  I will
definitely direct SRS for the coming year and it would be nice to have a smooth
transition into the next director.  I encourage members to try their hand at
choosing tunes, and running the session.  Send me an email or give me a call.
- Sylvia

Gala Concert CD is Done

The Gala Concert CD is done and will be available at the June session for $15
each.  This is a much improved difference between the little members-only self
made CD which we had for previous concerts and this one is enormous, beginning
with the recording and mixing level.  You could say this one was "done
right".  It was professional recording, involved 3 days of mixing the cuts,
professional manufacturing, with professional graphics and layout.  Sylvia says
"It has been an exciting project, and I hope you are all as pleased as I
am."   We now will have our own professional recording, which will be
available at the many events we perform at for audience members to purchase!


Games at Loon Mountain

The games at Loon Mountain and will be held Sept 22, 23, 24. The SRS is again
invited to play at the NH Games.  This year the games will be moving back to
Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH.  I have negotiated with the Games administration
and SRS will receive tickets as needed and 2 condos.  The SRS asks that anyone
wanting to stay at the condo be a member and be willing to play one session for
each night's lodging.  In addition, the cutoff date for getting housing and
tickets will be September 1.  We will be playing twice; the first time will be
on the large stage at 10 AM Saturday.  The second slot is yet to be determined.
Anyone who wants to sign up can either phone me 603-225-6546 or email me
smiskoe at aol.com.  Further details about the games can be found at
www.nhscot.org

SRNH Shirts

Is your SRS shirt looking tired, or are you a new member and don't have one
yet?  There are still a fair number of SRS shirts left, however they are all
size "Large".  As of May 31 there are 22 White Polo Shirts (17 with Green
Emblem, 5 with Purple) - all Large, and 21 T-Shirts (4 Purple, and 17 Green) -
all Large except for 2 of the Green, which are X-Large.  Prices are still only
$12 for the Polos and $10 for the T's.  I will be bringing some to the next
Gathering in June, but it is a good idea to let me know what you want
beforehand.  Contact Bruce Cobb; cobglas at juno.com or 603.435.6026.

Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle School 

This year we have Douglas Lawrence, Kimberley Fraser, Anne Hooper, Hanneke
Cassel, Ariel Friedman, and Troy MacGillivray.  Just a quick note to say that
there are still spaces left on the Island! August 5 - 12, 2006 at Thompson
Island.  Some of the classes are very close to full, so get in touch with the
Folk Arts Center as soon as possible. Call 781-662-7475, or email
fac at facone.org. We have great teachers set with super tunes, and a wonderful
camaraderie. This is the "cello" year; future years might feature another
instrument.  The website is http://www.scottishfiddle.org/bh 
Hope to see you there! (Barbara McOwen)

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.

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

World Fellowship Early Music Week 2006

From Sunday evening, June 25th to Sunday morning, July 2nd, 2006, the World
Fellowship in Conway NH offers musical instruction at a relatively low cost
($120 with  various lodging options ). The week-long "exploration" centers on
the Elizabethan/ Jacobean period. There are various tracks during the day for
voice, instrument and dancing and dancing every evening led by Leslie
Lassetter, well-loved, especially among less experienced country dancers.
There are also hiking and swimming activities for adults and children as well.
You can stay in the Lloyd Lodge, or near by cottages and farmhouses, or camping
adjacent to the Lodge.

From their web site: "Our week-long exploration centers on the Elizabethan/
Jacobean period, England's Golden Age, but places it in a wider historical and
geographical context.  Through playing, singing and dancing to this music, we
will sample its unique flavors and experience it in fresh and exciting
ways. Please join us!", and "In addition to our special children’s class, we
welcome older children with appropriate musical experience into our regular
classes.  Our faculty works hard to create stimulating and well-matched classes
for the week, so participants are encouraged to apply to the week early..."

For more information and there is plenty of info at:  http://tinyurl.com/ga2q8
and for all other World Fellowship events: www.worldfellowship.org , or contact
Andy Davis or Andrea Walsh, Co-directors, for questions and reservations
(email): reservations at worldfellowship.org
World Fellowship Center, PO Box 2280, Conway, NH 03818-2280 tel: 603/447-2280,
Looks like a fun week of fellowship in a beautiful location!

Elections and other Business at the next Gathering

At the next gathering the big annual general meeting will take place during the
break.  At this meeting the officers have to report to the whole SRS the status
of their areas.:

NOTICE TO MEMBERS OF ANNUAL GENERAL WILL BE HELD AT THE SESSION ON JUNE 25, 2006
AT THE BREAK  - 3:00 PM.    AT THE ANNICHIARICO THEATER,
(Thompson Street at South Main Street, Concord, NH)

   Agenda:
        1.  Call to order
        2.  Secretary's Report
        3.  Treasurer's Report
        4.  President's Report
        5.  Music Director's Report
        6.  Election Results
        7.  Any old or new business
        8.  Adjournment

Editors’ notes
 
I noticed Jerry Holland has been added to the Inverness Nova Scotia Ceilidh
School teaching lineup so I decided to write the director Janine Randall to let
her know she could put Jerry to work teaching guitar as well.  She wrote back:
"Jerry won't be teaching guitar! ;J  But having him instruct fiddle will allow
me to move the other instructors around with fiddle and piano......I think it
will be a lot of fun for the instructors and give piano students a lot
technique and variety too for a change! ;J So if anyone still doesn’t have
summer plans there’s still slots available for the week of July 10-14." (The
other instructors are Richard Wood, Kimberley Fraser and Troy MacGillivray).
 
Another summer activity more local and less costly is the 8th Annual CCC
(Celtic Camping Ceilidh!).  This is hosted by Sandy LaFleur, one of our guitar
players.  It’s a camping weekend starting Friday eve, Aug. 11 through Sunday
afternoon, Aug. 13 in rural Mason, NH.  It’s a weekend of music, song, dance
and frivolity with a decidedly Celtic flavor!  There will be Highland Games and
other types of fun.  Families are welcome.  It’s only $12/person includes
Saturday night's Stone Soup Feast.  I’ve seen pictures from previous years and
it looks like a lot of fun and music. Reservations are required.  Contact Sandy
Lafleur at (603)673-8497 or e-mail:  strumma at aol.com 

On a personal note:  I’ve enjoyed being your SRSNH Newsletter editor this
season.  I hope you all have a great and musical summer, and to those going to
Scotland, a wonderful trip. 

SRSNH EVENTS CALENDAR

8th Annual CCC (Celtic Camping Ceilidh!) Friday eve, Aug. 11 - Sunday
afternoon, Aug. 13 in rural Mason, NH.  A weekend of music, song, dance and
frivolity with a decidedly Celtic flavor!  Highland and other Games.  Families
welcome.  $12/person includes Saturday night's Stone Soup Feast.  Reservations
are required.  Contact Sandy Lafleur at (603)673-8497 or e-mail:
strumma at aol.com 

The exact date for the summer picnic at Sylvia’s has yet to be determined.
Once the date has been selected, an email will be sent out.  Hope you can
come, it’s a fun time!J

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 charter.net

SRSNH  Next Gathering: 
Sunday June 25, 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.