Hi everybody!
What a summer we've had! Hope everybody got as much out of NAFCO as I did. Wasn't that incredible!
I had lots of good comments about our performances at NAFCO and the Folk Festival from all sides - people especially were impressed with the fiddling and dancing at the same time!
Welcome Aboard to new STEP fiddlers Lauren Gosse, Leslie Amminson, Ben Delaney and Jean Patey.
CANADIAN FOLK MUSIC AWARDS
We've got some more performances coming up - Here's something to really get excited about! Another prestigious gig!
We have been asked by the Canadian Folk Music Awards to play on their gala show, which will be taking place November 23, at the Arts and Culture Centre.
Our role would be a tribute to Oliver Schroer, one of Canada's foremost fiddlers who died this summer of leukemia. Oli was a great fiddler and famous for turning young people on to fiddling. One of Oli's youth projects was called Random Acts of Violins - here's an example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdHBQ4uQM6E&NR=1
One of Oli's star students - Emlynn Stamm, will be coming the week beforehand to work with us on some music using his teaching techniques, which emphasized improvisation, rhythm, and creativity. Emlynn has worked with groups in BC and Ontario with great success. So not only do we get to play at the CFMA national conference awards gala, we also get a free workshop as well.
This will be an adventure, and a fabulous learning experience for everybody! Please let me know if you'll be unable to do this.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
The STEP fiddlers have been invited to perform at a benefit concert on Sunday afternoon, November 30. at St. David's Church. This is part of a series of concerts and events leading up to the Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, and all proceeds will go to Amnesty International.
Please let me know whether or not you are available to play in this concert.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Folk Festival
Hi everybody!
Re: Saturday's performance on the Neil Murray Stage, NL folk festival
Schedule
Anytime before the performance: Sign in at performers entrance to get your accreditation
2:00 meet in the performers tent to tune up.
2:30 Valerie Hewson performs on Neil Murray Stage
3:00 STEP fiddlers performance
4:00 Julia Bowdring and Cunla perform
Dress - tie-dyes and jeans or shorts.
We won't be doing I'll Hang My Harp, so cellos need not come (unless you want to! If you perform you get a pass into the festival so we'll use you somehow. Perhaps play Pierre.)
Remember that there are morning workshops at the Festival that you can get up close to the performers and hear them interact with each other - it's the best part of the festival!
The Festival lineup is available at nlfolk.com Check it out!
Christina
Re: Saturday's performance on the Neil Murray Stage, NL folk festival
Schedule
Anytime before the performance: Sign in at performers entrance to get your accreditation
2:00 meet in the performers tent to tune up.
2:30 Valerie Hewson performs on Neil Murray Stage
3:00 STEP fiddlers performance
4:00 Julia Bowdring and Cunla perform
Dress - tie-dyes and jeans or shorts.
We won't be doing I'll Hang My Harp, so cellos need not come (unless you want to! If you perform you get a pass into the festival so we'll use you somehow. Perhaps play Pierre.)
Remember that there are morning workshops at the Festival that you can get up close to the performers and hear them interact with each other - it's the best part of the festival!
The Festival lineup is available at nlfolk.com Check it out!
Christina
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Nafco Concert
Congrats to Maria, Valerie, Dominic and Danielle who did an excellent job on the Morning Show yesterday!
Ok, everybody! This is the big one!
For those of you who missed the rehearsal -- we have a new choreography for the Peak of the Topsail set - if you weren't at the rehearsal, you will be our "dance band" - Move over to stand by Ryan and play. We'll run over it at soundcheck tomorrow morning. When we play La Bastringue we will all bunch round the cloggers. Iona, can you please play the doll?
Sound Check 11:00 am.– 12:00 noon, Main Stage, Arts and Culture Centre Please be professional – no chatting onstage. We absolutely cannot waste one second of our time or the technicians time.
Concert 2:30 Please arrive at 2:00 to tune up.
Dress All black for Emile Benoit class; black and white for everyone else.
Free Pass Unfortunately the Conference can not afford to give us comps but we are entitled to one free pass each to the workshop of our choice I will have the passes later on Sunday afternoon – I will put them in the mailbox at 16 Maxse St. and you can come and get them at your convenience.
INTROS - can we do the intros as we did before? It would be great if they could be from memory! Here they are -
Rosemary
That was a set of dance tunes from the south coast of Newfoundland – two from Placentia Bay and two from Francois on the southwest coast.
Darhen
A Slow Air is a melody of a song, played on instruments. Our next selection comes from the singing of Philip Foley of Fogo Island, off the Northeast coast. It’s a beautiful song about lost love and it’s called I’ll Hang my Harp on a Willow Tree. After that we’ll play Genevieve’s Reel, composed by Dave Panting of St. John’s.
Jacqueline
Our next selection takes us to the Port au Port Peninsula, and Newfoundland’s French traditions. Our versions of La Bastringue and La Guenille come from the playing of Emile Benoit of l’Anse aux Canards. Darhen and Dominic are going to demonstrate some foot-clogging on this one. We’d also like to introduce Pierre Benoit, our dancer.
Julia
Next we’re going to play some single-tunes for you. Single tunes are unique to Newfoundland, and were used mainly for square dancing. This set of wonderful tunes comes from the playing of Luke Payne, a great accordion player who lives in Cow Head.
Anna and Danielle
In Newfoundland, “jigs” are often called “double tunes.” This set of double tunes comes from Placentia Bay. They're called The Peak of the Topsail, American 8 and Leo Bonnell's Crooked Double.
We got them from a tape that Mr. Wilf Wareham gave to our director, Christina Smith. They’re great tunes and we’d like to thank Mr. Wareham for collecting the tunes and for sharing them with us!
See you tomorrow, everybody!
Ok, everybody! This is the big one!
For those of you who missed the rehearsal -- we have a new choreography for the Peak of the Topsail set - if you weren't at the rehearsal, you will be our "dance band" - Move over to stand by Ryan and play. We'll run over it at soundcheck tomorrow morning. When we play La Bastringue we will all bunch round the cloggers. Iona, can you please play the doll?
Sound Check 11:00 am.– 12:00 noon, Main Stage, Arts and Culture Centre Please be professional – no chatting onstage. We absolutely cannot waste one second of our time or the technicians time.
Concert 2:30 Please arrive at 2:00 to tune up.
Dress All black for Emile Benoit class; black and white for everyone else.
Free Pass Unfortunately the Conference can not afford to give us comps but we are entitled to one free pass each to the workshop of our choice I will have the passes later on Sunday afternoon – I will put them in the mailbox at 16 Maxse St. and you can come and get them at your convenience.
INTROS - can we do the intros as we did before? It would be great if they could be from memory! Here they are -
Rosemary
That was a set of dance tunes from the south coast of Newfoundland – two from Placentia Bay and two from Francois on the southwest coast.
Darhen
A Slow Air is a melody of a song, played on instruments. Our next selection comes from the singing of Philip Foley of Fogo Island, off the Northeast coast. It’s a beautiful song about lost love and it’s called I’ll Hang my Harp on a Willow Tree. After that we’ll play Genevieve’s Reel, composed by Dave Panting of St. John’s.
Jacqueline
Our next selection takes us to the Port au Port Peninsula, and Newfoundland’s French traditions. Our versions of La Bastringue and La Guenille come from the playing of Emile Benoit of l’Anse aux Canards. Darhen and Dominic are going to demonstrate some foot-clogging on this one. We’d also like to introduce Pierre Benoit, our dancer.
Julia
Next we’re going to play some single-tunes for you. Single tunes are unique to Newfoundland, and were used mainly for square dancing. This set of wonderful tunes comes from the playing of Luke Payne, a great accordion player who lives in Cow Head.
Anna and Danielle
In Newfoundland, “jigs” are often called “double tunes.” This set of double tunes comes from Placentia Bay. They're called The Peak of the Topsail, American 8 and Leo Bonnell's Crooked Double.
We got them from a tape that Mr. Wilf Wareham gave to our director, Christina Smith. They’re great tunes and we’d like to thank Mr. Wareham for collecting the tunes and for sharing them with us!
See you tomorrow, everybody!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Saturday rehearsal cancelled
This Saturday seems to be a problem for many of us - less than half of us can make it, so Saturday's rehearsal is cancelled.
We *will* rehearse Thursday at 7:00, at Mmap, 2nd floor Arts and Culture Centre, go in the door to the right of the AC Hunter library entrance. We'll see if we need another practice - if it looks like we do, we'll try to squeeze another in before our gig on Sunday Aug. 3. We need to practice our stage-show - we want to look really professional. This will be an international audience!
Repertoire for the NAFCO gig -
Walt Hallett's etc.
I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel
La Bastringue
Luke Payne's Tunes
Peak of the Topsail, etc.
I know we've played these rather a lot lately! We will be doing some different repertoire for the Folk Festival - but for this gig we want to hit them with our very best stuff.
Can everybody please practise the Rufus tunes for Thursday, that I passed out at the recording session? We might try them out at the Folk Festival.
Don't forget to pick up a pass to the NAFCO workshops!
See you all on Thursday.
We *will* rehearse Thursday at 7:00, at Mmap, 2nd floor Arts and Culture Centre, go in the door to the right of the AC Hunter library entrance. We'll see if we need another practice - if it looks like we do, we'll try to squeeze another in before our gig on Sunday Aug. 3. We need to practice our stage-show - we want to look really professional. This will be an international audience!
Repertoire for the NAFCO gig -
Walt Hallett's etc.
I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel
La Bastringue
Luke Payne's Tunes
Peak of the Topsail, etc.
I know we've played these rather a lot lately! We will be doing some different repertoire for the Folk Festival - but for this gig we want to hit them with our very best stuff.
Can everybody please practise the Rufus tunes for Thursday, that I passed out at the recording session? We might try them out at the Folk Festival.
Don't forget to pick up a pass to the NAFCO workshops!
See you all on Thursday.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
NAFCO/ The Morning Show /Folk festival
Hi everybody!
I've tentatively booked two rehearsals:
10:00 am Saturday the 26th
7:00 pm Thursday the 31st.
at Mmap (Arts and Culture Centre, 2nd floor. Go in the door next to the AC Hunter Library - the door that used to lead to the Art Galleries - and go up one flight. First door on the right.)
Please let me know as soon as you can whether or not you can be there. If there are too many "can'ts" I may try to reschedule.
The Morning Show - on CBC!! We have been asked to publicise NAFCO. I need five volunteers from the Emile Benoit class. We have to be at CBC studios corner of University Ave. and Paton St. at 8:00 am on Friday Aug. 1
Folk Festival! Our time on the Neil Murray Stage is 3:00 pm on Saturday.
NAFCO is looking for volunteers. Call Tiffany Pollack, volunteer coordinator, 737-3661.
NAFCO workshop schedule has now been posted - visit http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/event_sched/workshopsched.php
This is a *Great Deal!* sign up and go to as many as you can!
I've tentatively booked two rehearsals:
10:00 am Saturday the 26th
7:00 pm Thursday the 31st.
at Mmap (Arts and Culture Centre, 2nd floor. Go in the door next to the AC Hunter Library - the door that used to lead to the Art Galleries - and go up one flight. First door on the right.)
Please let me know as soon as you can whether or not you can be there. If there are too many "can'ts" I may try to reschedule.
The Morning Show - on CBC!! We have been asked to publicise NAFCO. I need five volunteers from the Emile Benoit class. We have to be at CBC studios corner of University Ave. and Paton St. at 8:00 am on Friday Aug. 1
Folk Festival! Our time on the Neil Murray Stage is 3:00 pm on Saturday.
NAFCO is looking for volunteers. Call Tiffany Pollack, volunteer coordinator, 737-3661.
NAFCO workshop schedule has now been posted - visit http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/event_sched/workshopsched.php
This is a *Great Deal!* sign up and go to as many as you can!
Monday, July 7, 2008
NAFCO
All about NAFCO!
On the website you'll find all kinds of info. http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/conference/
Workshops are going to be *fan*tastic* (I've had an advance peek) and well worth the price! Go to as many as you can! Information is here http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/event_sched/workshopsched.php
The workshop schedule will be posted in a few days.
You'll find a schedule and list of performers and concerts on the website. I've looked at the concert schedule - I'm really afraid I'm going to have to go to *all* of them, they are all so good!! Go to as many as you can - you'll probably never get another chance to hear so many fabulous internationally famous fiddlers all at once in the same place!
Our performance will be the afternoon of Aug. 3. on the concert entitled "Fresh Fiddles." Rehearsal info will be posted soon!
On the website you'll find all kinds of info. http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/conference/
Workshops are going to be *fan*tastic* (I've had an advance peek) and well worth the price! Go to as many as you can! Information is here http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/event_sched/workshopsched.php
The workshop schedule will be posted in a few days.
You'll find a schedule and list of performers and concerts on the website. I've looked at the concert schedule - I'm really afraid I'm going to have to go to *all* of them, they are all so good!! Go to as many as you can - you'll probably never get another chance to hear so many fabulous internationally famous fiddlers all at once in the same place!
Our performance will be the afternoon of Aug. 3. on the concert entitled "Fresh Fiddles." Rehearsal info will be posted soon!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
A Grand Success
Hi everybody!
Last night I left all the thanking to Jean Hewson, our delightful emcee. But so many people put so much effort into this concert, I want to thank everyone, and make sure everyone recognises the contributions made. I don't have emails for all the Celtic Fiddlers nor individual Gillam fiddlers, so please pass along this message!
The biggest and warmest thanks to Erin McArthur, who is currently on the Nafco organizing staff. Erin is in largest measure responsible for the grand success of this concert - she covered promotion almost single-handedly, even down to creating that fabulous poster. She got the audience for us, even liasing with a brownie pack from Conception Bay - the whole pack came to the concert! She put together the program, (humourously prompting us to contribute the bios before it went to press!) printed the tickets, and contributed her vast knowledge of concert-organizing logistics, gently reminding us all of when we had to do what, and did we forget this or that? And it was Erin's kindness and consideration of the performers that provided the big bowl of candy and the water backstage. So from all of us, Erin, Thank you.
Thanks to our good-natured and skillful stage manager, Frank Parsons, who kept us all in order and on time, and our articulate and amiable emcee, Jean Hewson. Thanks to Mun Music School staff Jennifer Hart and Brad Cooper who were the epitome of professionalism, catering to all our needs. Special thanks to sound-tech Brad, who, without knowing any of the groups or getting a sound-check from any of us, made us all sound great! Thanks to Darhen Sing, youth representative on the Organizing Committee, and to Theo Stylianides and Maria Bath for consenting to be interviewed and photographed for the Telegram. Kudos to Maria for an excellent interview!
Thanks to the intrepid Roy Duffenais, who is touring 15 youngsters from Northern Manitoba across Newfoundland They had to drive 12 hours just to get to an airport, and take a deour to avoid a forest fire. It was this visit that inspired the concert in the first place! Thanks to Korona Brophy and the Celtic Fiddlers, and the fabulous Peter Duchemin and Evelyn Osborne - (your performance was magic, in more ways than one!) and to all the Step Fiddlers.
Special thanks to the "parental units" (as my brother puts it!) of the performers. It's your dedication and support that has brought all these wonderful kids to such heights of skill. Thanks to all parents who helped set up, sold CDs and tickets, handed out programs, or offered help - Janet Hewson, Krista and David Vokey Sing, Colette Phillips, Glenda Elsworth, George Stylianides, Sophia and Kevin Redmond. I'm sorry I can't put names to those people from the Celtic Fiddlers and the Frontier Fiddlers who pitched in setting up drums, etc. - but your contributions are no less valued and appreciated!
Last of all, thanks to Anna Kearney Guigne and the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, who enthusiastically leapt on board of this idea and gave us the stage and the support to produce this wonderful concert.
I hope I haven't left anyone out - (If I have, Erin will tell me!) Thanks everybody, for all your contributions to a wonderful evening.
Sincerely,
Christina Smith
Last night I left all the thanking to Jean Hewson, our delightful emcee. But so many people put so much effort into this concert, I want to thank everyone, and make sure everyone recognises the contributions made. I don't have emails for all the Celtic Fiddlers nor individual Gillam fiddlers, so please pass along this message!
The biggest and warmest thanks to Erin McArthur, who is currently on the Nafco organizing staff. Erin is in largest measure responsible for the grand success of this concert - she covered promotion almost single-handedly, even down to creating that fabulous poster. She got the audience for us, even liasing with a brownie pack from Conception Bay - the whole pack came to the concert! She put together the program, (humourously prompting us to contribute the bios before it went to press!) printed the tickets, and contributed her vast knowledge of concert-organizing logistics, gently reminding us all of when we had to do what, and did we forget this or that? And it was Erin's kindness and consideration of the performers that provided the big bowl of candy and the water backstage. So from all of us, Erin, Thank you.
Thanks to our good-natured and skillful stage manager, Frank Parsons, who kept us all in order and on time, and our articulate and amiable emcee, Jean Hewson. Thanks to Mun Music School staff Jennifer Hart and Brad Cooper who were the epitome of professionalism, catering to all our needs. Special thanks to sound-tech Brad, who, without knowing any of the groups or getting a sound-check from any of us, made us all sound great! Thanks to Darhen Sing, youth representative on the Organizing Committee, and to Theo Stylianides and Maria Bath for consenting to be interviewed and photographed for the Telegram. Kudos to Maria for an excellent interview!
Thanks to the intrepid Roy Duffenais, who is touring 15 youngsters from Northern Manitoba across Newfoundland They had to drive 12 hours just to get to an airport, and take a deour to avoid a forest fire. It was this visit that inspired the concert in the first place! Thanks to Korona Brophy and the Celtic Fiddlers, and the fabulous Peter Duchemin and Evelyn Osborne - (your performance was magic, in more ways than one!) and to all the Step Fiddlers.
Special thanks to the "parental units" (as my brother puts it!) of the performers. It's your dedication and support that has brought all these wonderful kids to such heights of skill. Thanks to all parents who helped set up, sold CDs and tickets, handed out programs, or offered help - Janet Hewson, Krista and David Vokey Sing, Colette Phillips, Glenda Elsworth, George Stylianides, Sophia and Kevin Redmond. I'm sorry I can't put names to those people from the Celtic Fiddlers and the Frontier Fiddlers who pitched in setting up drums, etc. - but your contributions are no less valued and appreciated!
Last of all, thanks to Anna Kearney Guigne and the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, who enthusiastically leapt on board of this idea and gave us the stage and the support to produce this wonderful concert.
I hope I haven't left anyone out - (If I have, Erin will tell me!) Thanks everybody, for all your contributions to a wonderful evening.
Sincerely,
Christina Smith
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Recording session update
Bravo! Well done everybody! It was an exhausting day but we accomplished a great deal. Thanks to all for your hard work! Special thanks to George Stylianides whose calm presence helped keep us focused and who supplied a pizza at lunchtime for a herd of hungry recording artists!
Don't forget about next weeks concert -Fiddle For'em- at the DF Cook recital hall. We will be first on the program, at 7:00 pm. Please be in the Choral Room by 6:15 to tune and run through a couple of numbers. The consensus is that everybody will wear black and black - Rufus Guinchard class included. Ladies, if you have a nice scarf, of any colour, please bring it. Guys, please wear any solid colour tie. We can see what the effect will be - and this may help us choose colours to order from Abbyshot.
We have a 20 minute set - we'll do the set we did for Shallaway plus one more - how about Mason's Apron?
Don't forget about next weeks concert -Fiddle For'em- at the DF Cook recital hall. We will be first on the program, at 7:00 pm. Please be in the Choral Room by 6:15 to tune and run through a couple of numbers. The consensus is that everybody will wear black and black - Rufus Guinchard class included. Ladies, if you have a nice scarf, of any colour, please bring it. Guys, please wear any solid colour tie. We can see what the effect will be - and this may help us choose colours to order from Abbyshot.
We have a 20 minute set - we'll do the set we did for Shallaway plus one more - how about Mason's Apron?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Fiddle For'Em
Another prestigious gig!
We'll be sharing a concert at the School of Music Recital Hall on Saturday June 7 at 7:00 pm. The other performers will be the Celtic Fiddlers, the Frontier Fiddlers of Gillam, Manitoba, and Evelyn Osborne and Peter Dushemin. This is a benefit concert for (and sponsored by) the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, which will take place here in August.
We'll need to arrive at 6:30 to tune up and run through a couple of numbers. Watch the blog for further info!
We'll be sharing a concert at the School of Music Recital Hall on Saturday June 7 at 7:00 pm. The other performers will be the Celtic Fiddlers, the Frontier Fiddlers of Gillam, Manitoba, and Evelyn Osborne and Peter Dushemin. This is a benefit concert for (and sponsored by) the North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, which will take place here in August.
We'll need to arrive at 6:30 to tune up and run through a couple of numbers. Watch the blog for further info!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Recording session update
RECORDING SESSON NEXT SATURDAY - 11:00 - 5:00
We have booked Petro Canada Hall from 10:30 next week. Emile Benoit Class and the cellos will meet at the usual time (11:00) but in Petro Canada Hall, to record I'll Hang My Harp, Genevieve's Reel, and Luke Payne's Tunes. Everybody else, please come at 2:00 to record the doubles (Peak of the Topsail, etc.) and the Singles (Walt Hallet, etc.) Emile Benoit class - bring some lunch - but keep in mind we can't eat it in the hall, we have to go out into the lobby.
Please practice and make sure you are playing all the right notes - in some of the tracks we have done so far somebody is playing wrong notes and it really affects the overall quality. In a recording there's no place to hide - and I'd hate to have to tell anyone *not* to play! so please doublecheck and make sure you've got the tunes "nailed down."
It's really important that we all do our best to be at the session - this was discussed April 5 at the meeting, mentioned in an email May 3rd, and has been on the Blog since then as well - so hopefully we have all had time to reschedule any conflicts. Please let me know immediately if not sooner if you have any irresolvable conflicts as I may have to change the order of recording as a result. Thanks!
We have booked Petro Canada Hall from 10:30 next week. Emile Benoit Class and the cellos will meet at the usual time (11:00) but in Petro Canada Hall, to record I'll Hang My Harp, Genevieve's Reel, and Luke Payne's Tunes. Everybody else, please come at 2:00 to record the doubles (Peak of the Topsail, etc.) and the Singles (Walt Hallet, etc.) Emile Benoit class - bring some lunch - but keep in mind we can't eat it in the hall, we have to go out into the lobby.
Please practice and make sure you are playing all the right notes - in some of the tracks we have done so far somebody is playing wrong notes and it really affects the overall quality. In a recording there's no place to hide - and I'd hate to have to tell anyone *not* to play! so please doublecheck and make sure you've got the tunes "nailed down."
It's really important that we all do our best to be at the session - this was discussed April 5 at the meeting, mentioned in an email May 3rd, and has been on the Blog since then as well - so hopefully we have all had time to reschedule any conflicts. Please let me know immediately if not sooner if you have any irresolvable conflicts as I may have to change the order of recording as a result. Thanks!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Next Gig - Emile Benoit Class, May 23 at the Rooms
The Emile Benoit class will be performing at The Rooms for the Scotia McLeod conference on Friday evening, May 23, from 7:00 to 7:45. Call is 6:30; go to the theatre on the second floor. Please note that no food is allowed in the theatre - bottled water only. Please be on time so that we can run a couple of tunes that we haven't played for awhile!
Dress is black. This is a professional gig, and they have requested two things - 1. that we play Newfoundland music, and 2. that we wear the tartan sashes - once more for old times sake!
It would be great to play I'll Hang My Harp and Genevieve's Reel - cellos, can you make it? Julia is going to be in New York with her choir - is there anyone who would like to fill in for her solo?
Repertoire - please review, especially the tunes with parts!
Coming from the Races
Coady's Triple/Pretty Little Mary
Kitty's Rambles/ Up to see Grandma
Single Tunes (Walt Hallet etc)
I'll Hang My Harp/ Genevieve's Reel
La Bastringue
Luke Payne's Tunes
Doubles (Peak of the Topsail etc) We'll dance if there's room!
Reel de la Pistroli/Gerald Thomas's Burnt Potato
Memory Waltz/The Gypsy
Out Behind the House/Up the Southern Shore
Stack of Barley/Grumbling old Man
Mussels/Paddy's
Auntie/I'se the B'y
This should be 45 mins. If we need more time we'll play Running the Goat or Dionne Reel or Mason's Apron.
Any q's or suggestions, write to the blog or email.
c
Dress is black. This is a professional gig, and they have requested two things - 1. that we play Newfoundland music, and 2. that we wear the tartan sashes - once more for old times sake!
It would be great to play I'll Hang My Harp and Genevieve's Reel - cellos, can you make it? Julia is going to be in New York with her choir - is there anyone who would like to fill in for her solo?
Repertoire - please review, especially the tunes with parts!
Coming from the Races
Coady's Triple/Pretty Little Mary
Kitty's Rambles/ Up to see Grandma
Single Tunes (Walt Hallet etc)
I'll Hang My Harp/ Genevieve's Reel
La Bastringue
Luke Payne's Tunes
Doubles (Peak of the Topsail etc) We'll dance if there's room!
Reel de la Pistroli/Gerald Thomas's Burnt Potato
Memory Waltz/The Gypsy
Out Behind the House/Up the Southern Shore
Stack of Barley/Grumbling old Man
Mussels/Paddy's
Auntie/I'se the B'y
This should be 45 mins. If we need more time we'll play Running the Goat or Dionne Reel or Mason's Apron.
Any q's or suggestions, write to the blog or email.
c
Saturday, May 3, 2008
New news!
Hi everybody!
Another gig! Two, in fact!
The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, which is taking place here this summer, is sponsoring a fiddle concert to promote the event, and youth involvement in it. The concert will be called Fiddle For'em and it will take place at D.F.Cook Recital Hall and will feature ourselves, the Celtic Fiddlers, and the Frontier FIddlers of Gillam, Manitoba, plus a special guest. We will play for twenty minutes and then join in the finale.
We've also been asked to take part in the Canadian National Folk Music Awards which will happen here next November.
Clothes --
Consensus seems to be that we prefer to wear black, with a colourful accessory such as a scarf or tie. Do we want pink, white and green or one colour or various jewel colours ?
The opinion from the Board is that black clothes are pretty readily available - it's not really necessary to go through the expense of having them made. Many of us have nice black clothes already - we can each buy the top we want, or have it made if we prefer. Maybe in the future, if we change our minds about black and want something different, we can get tops made then. In the meanwhile, I can talk to Abbyshot about accessories- get back to me about colours!
Recording--
We are booked for a recording session at Petro Canada Hall on May 31st, from 11:30 until 5:00. Repertoire will be I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel, Luke Payne's Square Dance Tunes, (Emile Benoit class) Peak of the Topsail/American 8/Leo Bonnell, and our single tunes, Walt Hallett/ Francois Dance Tunes,/ Placentia Bay Double (everybody) Emile Benoit class will start at 11:30 - we'll need everybody else at 2:00.
Another gig! Two, in fact!
The North Atlantic Fiddle Convention, which is taking place here this summer, is sponsoring a fiddle concert to promote the event, and youth involvement in it. The concert will be called Fiddle For'em and it will take place at D.F.Cook Recital Hall and will feature ourselves, the Celtic Fiddlers, and the Frontier FIddlers of Gillam, Manitoba, plus a special guest. We will play for twenty minutes and then join in the finale.
We've also been asked to take part in the Canadian National Folk Music Awards which will happen here next November.
Clothes --
Consensus seems to be that we prefer to wear black, with a colourful accessory such as a scarf or tie. Do we want pink, white and green or one colour or various jewel colours ?
The opinion from the Board is that black clothes are pretty readily available - it's not really necessary to go through the expense of having them made. Many of us have nice black clothes already - we can each buy the top we want, or have it made if we prefer. Maybe in the future, if we change our minds about black and want something different, we can get tops made then. In the meanwhile, I can talk to Abbyshot about accessories- get back to me about colours!
Recording--
We are booked for a recording session at Petro Canada Hall on May 31st, from 11:30 until 5:00. Repertoire will be I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel, Luke Payne's Square Dance Tunes, (Emile Benoit class) Peak of the Topsail/American 8/Leo Bonnell, and our single tunes, Walt Hallett/ Francois Dance Tunes,/ Placentia Bay Double (everybody) Emile Benoit class will start at 11:30 - we'll need everybody else at 2:00.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Clothes - back to the drawing board
The impression I got from most people is that the designs need more work, and one type of material was too plain and the other too chintzy. I'll be in touch with Abbeyshot on Monday and we'll keep working on it.
Shallaway Concert tonight!
Great rehearsal today, everybody! We'll blow them away tonight. I hope everybody's as excited as I am!
We'll meet on the stage - please be there at 5:50 for our 6:00 pm. soundcheck. Emile Benoit class will wear black and black, everyone else black and white. Please wear shoes or black sneakers of some kind on your feet.
Our dressing room is on the fourth floor, across the hall from where we rehearsed this morning. We can put coats and cases there after the soundcheck.
We have been invited to watch the rest of the concert - so we will all have comps. for the first half. Come back to the dressing room as soon as intermission starts for a final tune-up.
Everybody remember to look happy, move around, smile at each other and the audience, look like we're having fun! Move on and off stage quickly and look like you know where you're going and what you're doing. For the last number, make sure you have enough room for Darhen and Maria to go in and out! We don't want any collisions on stage!
See you all on stage at 5:50.
We'll meet on the stage - please be there at 5:50 for our 6:00 pm. soundcheck. Emile Benoit class will wear black and black, everyone else black and white. Please wear shoes or black sneakers of some kind on your feet.
Our dressing room is on the fourth floor, across the hall from where we rehearsed this morning. We can put coats and cases there after the soundcheck.
We have been invited to watch the rest of the concert - so we will all have comps. for the first half. Come back to the dressing room as soon as intermission starts for a final tune-up.
Everybody remember to look happy, move around, smile at each other and the audience, look like we're having fun! Move on and off stage quickly and look like you know where you're going and what you're doing. For the last number, make sure you have enough room for Darhen and Maria to go in and out! We don't want any collisions on stage!
See you all on stage at 5:50.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Apr. 26 rehearsal, soundcheck, concert
Hi everybody!
We will be practising this Saturday morning (Apr. 26) between 11:00 - 1:00 in the Arts and Culture Centre 4th floor rehearsal room. Go up the elevator next to Irwin's Court - the room will be on the right. Please, please, can everybody *please* be there?!! We have some great new choreography that we *all* need to be in on! Besides the single tunes (Walt Hallett's etc. ) are pretty rough, and we need to practise with our guitarist and incorporate our introductions. Cellists need to practise graceful exit and entry. This is a very important gig for us, with an audience which will probably be more than a thousand, so we want to make a really good impression!
SOUND CHECK for the concert will be on the Arts and Culture Centre stage at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday the 26th. Wear your performance clothes - black and black for Emile Benoit class, black and white for everyone else. A bottle of water, a book and a snack wouldn't go astray, either - we'll probably be there until we play.
Please practice, everybody! See you at the Arts and Culture Centre 4th floor on Saturday at 11:00
I'll be in Gander from tomorrow afternoon until Friday supper time.
Christina
We will be practising this Saturday morning (Apr. 26) between 11:00 - 1:00 in the Arts and Culture Centre 4th floor rehearsal room. Go up the elevator next to Irwin's Court - the room will be on the right. Please, please, can everybody *please* be there?!! We have some great new choreography that we *all* need to be in on! Besides the single tunes (Walt Hallett's etc. ) are pretty rough, and we need to practise with our guitarist and incorporate our introductions. Cellists need to practise graceful exit and entry. This is a very important gig for us, with an audience which will probably be more than a thousand, so we want to make a really good impression!
SOUND CHECK for the concert will be on the Arts and Culture Centre stage at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday the 26th. Wear your performance clothes - black and black for Emile Benoit class, black and white for everyone else. A bottle of water, a book and a snack wouldn't go astray, either - we'll probably be there until we play.
Please practice, everybody! See you at the Arts and Culture Centre 4th floor on Saturday at 11:00
I'll be in Gander from tomorrow afternoon until Friday supper time.
Christina
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Arts and Culture Centre, Apr. 26
Hi everybody!
Repertoire is as for the Shallaway concert that was cancelled - Peak of the Topsail/American 8/Leo Bonnell's, Walt Halletts/Francois dance tunes/Placentia Bay Double, La Bastringue/La Guenille, I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel, Luke Payne's Tunes.
Dress - Emile Benoit class, black and black; other participants, black and white. We'll use the sashes for this gig.
See you on Saturday at rehearsal! Soloists please come to cello class at 10:40; cellists please come to fiddle class at 11:00.
Christina
Repertoire is as for the Shallaway concert that was cancelled - Peak of the Topsail/American 8/Leo Bonnell's, Walt Halletts/Francois dance tunes/Placentia Bay Double, La Bastringue/La Guenille, I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel, Luke Payne's Tunes.
Dress - Emile Benoit class, black and black; other participants, black and white. We'll use the sashes for this gig.
See you on Saturday at rehearsal! Soloists please come to cello class at 10:40; cellists please come to fiddle class at 11:00.
Christina
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Gigs, clothes
Re: gigs -
1. Black Cat Music launch may be on Thursday evening June 5 if enough artists can make it then. We would be playing 2 numbers, we could be in and out and back at the books in half an hour. Could everyone rsvp please and let me know so that I can advise whether or not we can be there? Thanks!
2. April 26th - the Shallaway concert, 7:30 at A&CC. Could everyone rsvp to let me know if they can attend this? Please, everybody make every effort to be at class on the 19th! We need to all be there to practice not just the tunes but getting from one tune to the next as well - moving around, looking professional! Those of you who are introducing, can you bring your introductions to class? Thanks!
3. Scotia McLeod conference - Emile Benoit class. Friday May 23rd, arrive 6:30 play from 7:00 - 7:45.
4. This Sunday, April 13! We've been invited to perform at the Fiddlers Association Gathering this Sunday at 2:00, in Mmap - that's where the old art gallery used to be. It will be a session, we will play a few numbers first and then we are welcome to stay and join in the fun. The Beginners class will join us for this gig. I know some people are at Youth Orchestra, everyone else, please RSVP so I have an idea of numbers and what repertoire to choose.
5. A youth group of fidders are coming from Manitoba June 6-9 to visit St. John's. There may be a performance associated with their visit - I'll keep you posted!
Clothes
I went and spoke to Julia at Abbeyshot. She says it will be more expensive if everyone has their own design - she suggested we stick to a couple or three. We can still have input into what kind of style we want, so if you have wishes about sleeves or necklines or the like, visit the blog (stepfiddlers@blogspot.com) and comment or email me back. She will make some drawings for us to look at and have some samples of material for next class, on the 19th. Anyone (parents or fiddlers) who would like to see these I will have them in the Instrumental room at 12:15.
See you on Sunday!
1. Black Cat Music launch may be on Thursday evening June 5 if enough artists can make it then. We would be playing 2 numbers, we could be in and out and back at the books in half an hour. Could everyone rsvp please and let me know so that I can advise whether or not we can be there? Thanks!
2. April 26th - the Shallaway concert, 7:30 at A&CC. Could everyone rsvp to let me know if they can attend this? Please, everybody make every effort to be at class on the 19th! We need to all be there to practice not just the tunes but getting from one tune to the next as well - moving around, looking professional! Those of you who are introducing, can you bring your introductions to class? Thanks!
3. Scotia McLeod conference - Emile Benoit class. Friday May 23rd, arrive 6:30 play from 7:00 - 7:45.
4. This Sunday, April 13! We've been invited to perform at the Fiddlers Association Gathering this Sunday at 2:00, in Mmap - that's where the old art gallery used to be. It will be a session, we will play a few numbers first and then we are welcome to stay and join in the fun. The Beginners class will join us for this gig. I know some people are at Youth Orchestra, everyone else, please RSVP so I have an idea of numbers and what repertoire to choose.
5. A youth group of fidders are coming from Manitoba June 6-9 to visit St. John's. There may be a performance associated with their visit - I'll keep you posted!
Clothes
I went and spoke to Julia at Abbeyshot. She says it will be more expensive if everyone has their own design - she suggested we stick to a couple or three. We can still have input into what kind of style we want, so if you have wishes about sleeves or necklines or the like, visit the blog (stepfiddlers@blogspot.com) and comment or email me back. She will make some drawings for us to look at and have some samples of material for next class, on the 19th. Anyone (parents or fiddlers) who would like to see these I will have them in the Instrumental room at 12:15.
See you on Sunday!
Friday, April 4, 2008
NEWS NEWS NEWS!
And the gigs keep rolling in!
We've been invited on
April 13 (Sunday) - to the Gathering of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fiddlers Association to give a short performance. This event is a session and runs from 2 - 4 at the Arts and Culture Centre - at Mmap which is where the old Art Gallery was. We'll play near the beginning and then join in the session for as long as we can stay.
April 26 - (Saturday) to play at the Shallaway Spring Concert - Let Voices Ring, on the Arts and Culture Centre Main Stage!! Woo hoo!
We've been invited on
April 13 (Sunday) - to the Gathering of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fiddlers Association to give a short performance. This event is a session and runs from 2 - 4 at the Arts and Culture Centre - at Mmap which is where the old Art Gallery was. We'll play near the beginning and then join in the session for as long as we can stay.
April 26 - (Saturday) to play at the Shallaway Spring Concert - Let Voices Ring, on the Arts and Culture Centre Main Stage!! Woo hoo!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Meeting this Saturday!
Hi everybody!
Great job on Sunday!
Can most of us make it to a meeting on Saturday at 12:00 in the Instrumental room? We will probably go a few minutes into STEP fiddle time as well- so that those in viola class can have input too.
There's a really exciting summer coming up - some great performance opportunities, the recording, and a few issues to discuss! Here's what we need to talk about -
1. The recording - we need two more recording sessions to finish. Time is pressing and we have to have them done before exams start. We need a title and cover concept for the album as well, a photographer to take a picture and an artist to do the cover.
2. Performance dress. We need to have this in place before the photo shoot for the album cover.
3. Black Cat Music - A new company is forming to manage traditional musicians and have asked if we would like to be on the roster.
4. Performances - If we decide to participate in Black Cat we are invited to perform at the launch which is scheduled for May 24th. We have been invited to perform at the Scotia/McLeod conference at the Rooms on May 23rd. Then there will be the festival and Nafco this summer. Do we want to pursue other opportunities out of town, such as the Burin Penninsula Folk Festival (July 3-5) or the Shamrock Festival, Ferryland (July26/27)?
Great job on Sunday!
Can most of us make it to a meeting on Saturday at 12:00 in the Instrumental room? We will probably go a few minutes into STEP fiddle time as well- so that those in viola class can have input too.
There's a really exciting summer coming up - some great performance opportunities, the recording, and a few issues to discuss! Here's what we need to talk about -
1. The recording - we need two more recording sessions to finish. Time is pressing and we have to have them done before exams start. We need a title and cover concept for the album as well, a photographer to take a picture and an artist to do the cover.
2. Performance dress. We need to have this in place before the photo shoot for the album cover.
3. Black Cat Music - A new company is forming to manage traditional musicians and have asked if we would like to be on the roster.
4. Performances - If we decide to participate in Black Cat we are invited to perform at the launch which is scheduled for May 24th. We have been invited to perform at the Scotia/McLeod conference at the Rooms on May 23rd. Then there will be the festival and Nafco this summer. Do we want to pursue other opportunities out of town, such as the Burin Penninsula Folk Festival (July 3-5) or the Shamrock Festival, Ferryland (July26/27)?
Friday, March 28, 2008
The gig on Sunday
STEP fiddlers at the International Food and Craft Fair!
Plan to be at the Holiday Inn at 12:30 to get tuned and organized. Wear jeans on bottom, and ladies wear pink if you have some – I have some green sashes and neckerchiefs to suit either lads or lasses.
We’ll play I’ll Hang My Harp/Genevieve’s Reel
Luke Payne’s Square Dance Tunes
Our new medley of singles (Walt Hallett’s etc)
Our new medley of doubles (Peak of the Topsail, etc.)
La Bastringue/La Guenille
Out Behind the House/Up the Southern shore
Kitty’s Rambles/Up to see Grandma
Coming from the Races/ Bridget Maher’s tune
And Maybe (if there’s time!)
Mussels/Paddy’s
I’se /Auntie
Mason’s Apron
either Stack of Barley/ Grumbling Old Man/Woman or Pistroli/Gerald Thomas (we'll decide at rehearsal)
Plan to be at the Holiday Inn at 12:30 to get tuned and organized. Wear jeans on bottom, and ladies wear pink if you have some – I have some green sashes and neckerchiefs to suit either lads or lasses.
We’ll play I’ll Hang My Harp/Genevieve’s Reel
Luke Payne’s Square Dance Tunes
Our new medley of singles (Walt Hallett’s etc)
Our new medley of doubles (Peak of the Topsail, etc.)
La Bastringue/La Guenille
Out Behind the House/Up the Southern shore
Kitty’s Rambles/Up to see Grandma
Coming from the Races/ Bridget Maher’s tune
And Maybe (if there’s time!)
Mussels/Paddy’s
I’se /Auntie
Mason’s Apron
either Stack of Barley/ Grumbling Old Man/Woman or Pistroli/Gerald Thomas (we'll decide at rehearsal)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
International Food and Craft Fair!
Hi everybody!
We have a gig! We will be onstage at 1:00 pm on March 30 at the Holiday Inn, Portugal Cove Road. Their website is www.mwonl.org/IFCF We will play for @ half an hour. I went to this event last year and it was really fun!
The organiser, has asked me for a picture of the fiddlers for the website. Do you know, I don't have one!! I'm usually on stage when we play. Does anybody have a suitable picture from Canada Day or Kiwanis or the Folk Festival last year?
We have a gig! We will be onstage at 1:00 pm on March 30 at the Holiday Inn, Portugal Cove Road. Their website is www.mwonl.org/IFCF We will play for @ half an hour. I went to this event last year and it was really fun!
The organiser, has asked me for a picture of the fiddlers for the website. Do you know, I don't have one!! I'm usually on stage when we play. Does anybody have a suitable picture from Canada Day or Kiwanis or the Folk Festival last year?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Shallaway concert cancelled
Hi everybody.
I'm really sorry to have to say that the concert is off and won't be rescheduled. after you've all worked so hard and polished the pieces and learned introductions and everything. You sounded teriffic on Saturday and really deserved to have a good audience!
All your good work will not go to waste, though! We will have a recording session soon to put the music on our CD.
There is a performance opportunity on March 30 for the international food and craft fair - if enough of us are available / willing to play at that as a group I can contact the organizers.
Please respond so that I know you have received the cancellation info, and let me know whether you are interested/able to play on the 30th.
I'm really sorry to have to say that the concert is off and won't be rescheduled. after you've all worked so hard and polished the pieces and learned introductions and everything. You sounded teriffic on Saturday and really deserved to have a good audience!
All your good work will not go to waste, though! We will have a recording session soon to put the music on our CD.
There is a performance opportunity on March 30 for the international food and craft fair - if enough of us are available / willing to play at that as a group I can contact the organizers.
Please respond so that I know you have received the cancellation info, and let me know whether you are interested/able to play on the 30th.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Recording
We will soon be ready for another recording session - I have asked Jennifer Hart, the new administrator at MUN for dates that PC hall will be available. We'll record I'll Hang My Harp/Genevieve's Reel, Luke Payne's Sqare Dance Tunes, Walt Hallett's/ Francois 2 and 1/Placentia Bay Double, and Peak of the Topsail/American 8/Leo Bonnell's. Keep practising!
Any new ideas for a title? So far we've got
1) Fiddling in the Fog (could be Fiddling in the Snow, today!)
2) Swing She with the Red Socks
Any ideas for an album cover?
Any new ideas for a title? So far we've got
1) Fiddling in the Fog (could be Fiddling in the Snow, today!)
2) Swing She with the Red Socks
Any ideas for an album cover?
Performances
At the moment there are two 'gigs' in our future, and another possibility
The NAFCO youth concert (Aug. 3-8)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (Aug. 8-10)
There is a chance we might be invited to play at the launch of a new company, on Sunday May 25th. Further details as they become available!
Anybody have any more performance ideas?
The NAFCO youth concert (Aug. 3-8)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival (Aug. 8-10)
There is a chance we might be invited to play at the launch of a new company, on Sunday May 25th. Further details as they become available!
Anybody have any more performance ideas?
North Atlantic Fiddle Convention
Aug. 3-8. http://www.mun.ca/nafco2008/about/
This summer there will be a fantastic convention coming to St. John's! Some of the best fiddlers in the world will be coming, people like Alisdair Fraser and Liz Carroll, and some youth fiddle groups as well! There will be workshops that we can attend, concerts to go to, and there are plans for a youth concert which we will definitely be involved in. Check back for further details!
This summer there will be a fantastic convention coming to St. John's! Some of the best fiddlers in the world will be coming, people like Alisdair Fraser and Liz Carroll, and some youth fiddle groups as well! There will be workshops that we can attend, concerts to go to, and there are plans for a youth concert which we will definitely be involved in. Check back for further details!
Performance duds
Lets talk about what we'd like to wear at concerts! Tie-dyed shirts are fine for summer folk festivals etc. but when we've got a classy gig it would be nice to look sharp.
A few questions to get things started -
1) Is everybody agreed about the pink/white/green colours? Here's a url with info about the flag that was kindly passed along to me. http://activelink.ca/pinkwhitegreen/history.php Having three colors might be very practical - new members can just wear a white top!
2) what kind/style of clothing do we want? neckerchiefs, scarves, and sashes? Vests, ties? Or would we rather have a button-down shirt for guys and a dressy top for gals? My choir buys fabric for tops and allows each member to choose the style. Do we want to be uniform or allow for variation?
3) How much money do we want to spend? There is some money in the STEP account - we could ask the Board if we could spend some of it on stage wear. Or perhaps we could cost-share.
I know we've got some fashion divas in this group! Send in your ideas!
Christina
A few questions to get things started -
1) Is everybody agreed about the pink/white/green colours? Here's a url with info about the flag that was kindly passed along to me. http://activelink.ca/pinkwhitegreen/history.php Having three colors might be very practical - new members can just wear a white top!
2) what kind/style of clothing do we want? neckerchiefs, scarves, and sashes? Vests, ties? Or would we rather have a button-down shirt for guys and a dressy top for gals? My choir buys fabric for tops and allows each member to choose the style. Do we want to be uniform or allow for variation?
3) How much money do we want to spend? There is some money in the STEP account - we could ask the Board if we could spend some of it on stage wear. Or perhaps we could cost-share.
I know we've got some fashion divas in this group! Send in your ideas!
Christina
Shallaway concert postponed
The Shallaway "Concert of this Place" has been postponed until tomorrow night at 7:00. Be at the church at 6:30 to tune up and play through a tune or two.
Please email Christina whether you will be able to be there! Thanks
Please email Christina whether you will be able to be there! Thanks
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