Strathspey and Reel Society of New Hampshire » Articles

SRSNH on TV

bwoodman — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:14:41 +0000

Seventeen SRSNH members took part in Concord Community TV’s Fifth Annual Arts Telefest on March 29 at the Concord High School. The program included classic jigs by Marshall and Nathaniel Gow and a set of traditional hornpipes. SRSNH dancers Alicia Lekas and Pauline Collins contributed an exuberant burst of color.

Save the Hornpipe!

srsnh — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:14:07 +0000

“Save the Hornpipe!” That is the cry and motto of the N.H.P.S – the National Hornpipe Preservation Society. Hornpipes are lovely tunes generally written in 2/4 or 4/4 time nowadays, that have a jaunty “dotted rhythm” characterized by a dotted eighth note followed by a sixteenth note. They are also an “Endangered Species” as hornpipes are being “Reelized” at an alarming rate!

One reason for this “Reelization” seems to be the desire to play them at a faster, reel tempo – hence obliterating the poor dotted notes. Generally, contra dance fiddlers are the most serious offenders here. Another contributing factor is the habit of writing out the tune as a reel to save writing all those dotted and flagged notes. When done this way, it is only good form to at least remember to put the word “hornpipe” in the notes. One should NEVER delete the word hornpipe if it appears in the title. Ex.: Harvest Home rather than Harvest Home Hornpipe.

How many wonderful hornpipes have been lost? One can only guess. One of the hallmarks of a hornpipe are the last 3 notes of the A and/or B parts of the tune that go: bump, bump, bump - Look through your music – YOU may discover a long lost hornpipe!

Fortunately there are now nearly 50 members of the N.H.P.S. nation wide – some are also SRSNH members! These brave souls have sworn to do their part to save the hornpipe by playing hornpipes, sharing the story of the hornpipe, and by (gently) correcting a musician who plays a hornpipe as a reel. This last bit of heroism should be undertaken cautiously as currently the Society does not have any insurance to cover medical claims that may result.

The Fall Membership Campaign is in full swing at this time! Persons interested in becoming lifetime members of the N.H.P.S. should see Sandy Lafleur or contact her at strumma@aol.com Membership is $2 and includes a “Save the Hornpipe” button. There are no other dues or meetings. No, there is not as yet a Web site – this is a “Society” NOT an “Organization” . . . .

My prediction is that many years from now musicologists will look back on this grass roots movement, which started in southern NH, as an important event in musical history! You can be part of that!

–Sandy Lafleur
Chief Cook and Bottlewasher, N.H.P.S.

Serenading Soggy Sanbornton Shoppers

srsnh — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:00:55 +0000

On September 12, Jack, the market master met me as I pulled into the parking lot. He performed a short song(1) and dance(2) about how he now realized why, despite his readings of the weather forecasts and maps, it was already raining on the market – the SRSNH was playing and bringing some Scottish weather to complete the experience. Because we were on a porch (”constructed with people like you in mind”), the rain didn’t put a damper on the music. But it was definitely cooler than during the August monsoon, when the market was moved to the drier and warmer Town Hall.

The August 8 market day had seen our biggest turnout yet. We numbered 14 musicians, including seven fiddles. The September performance was smaller but still enlivened a grey afternoon.

The potluck suppers afterwards also differed significantly. August was our typical large group with a wide variety of foods, cold drinks, and conversation as we sat on the porch and watched the storm clear. In September there were just a few of us at the table beside the fireplace with our mugs of tea.(3) But the food and conversation were just as pleasant.

We’ll be playing at the Farmers’ Market again next summer – why not join us for music and all the rest? If you’re lucky, George Randall will enliven the day with a few of his unique observations.

In addition to making music, at the September market we made up words. We discussed what the collective noun for jigs should be. What do you think: a juxtaposition of jigs, or a jigathon?
————–
(1) A modest lament in a jocular minor.
(2) A sort of shuffle suitable for a retired colonel whose feet are getting wet.
(3) Are there other discriminating souls who think the proper tea for such weather is a well smoked Lapsong Souchong?