GRANITE SKYES
Newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of New Hampshire
Volume 12, Number 7 -- March 2000

March 26 Gathering
Sunday Afternoon, 1-5 pm.
Jeff Baker, Music Director
Annichiaricho Theatre, S. Main St & Thompson Sts, Concord,
N.H.

Approximate schedule:
1:00 - 3:00  March tunes
3:00 - 3:30  Refreshments & Jamming
3:30 - 5:00  Requests & Solos



SRSNH GATHERINGS
* Sunday March 26
* Sunday April 30
* Sunday May 21
* Sunday June 25
* Sunday September 24

Sundays, 1-5 pm
Free admission. All welcome
Potluck Refreshments
Annichiarico Music Theater
1 Thompson St, at S. Main St.

Driving Directions: Rte 93 to Exit 13. Follow signs to downtown
Concord. Turn left onto Thompson, park on the right or on State St
or Main St.


================================

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR
by Barbara McOwen

Our resident champion flautist Jeff Baker has volunteered to lead
the March session, and he has some very interesting old tunes
which he will describe below. Jeff comes to us musically via Fife and
Drum Corps, Irish sessions, and many hours of perusals of old
Scottish tune-books. He played a slow air at our January session
that would melt even a politician's heart.

We have some great things planned for the rest of the year! April
will feature members' original tunes, hosted by Sylvia Miskoe. Tyler
Matteson will present some of his current favorite tunes for May,
since I'll be away that weekend. I will finish up the year for our
June session. We also have three performances this spring, and we
would all appreciate lots of member turnout for these. Please look for
more information on the Tartan Day Concert, the Fremont Town
Meeting House Celebration, and the Southern New Hampshire
Games, in this and subsequent Granite Skyeses. Additionally, we
will kick off our thirteenth year in September with lots of activities at
the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon Mt.


MARCH TUNES
-- by Jeff Baker

For the first of this month's tunes I lapsed back about 300 years to
an early American Manuscript. Why American? Come to the
Session and you'll find out!!

Lovely Nancy dates at least to 1715, as a "Marching Out" tune,
and we find it in America in 1778 in the hands of Thomas Nixon of
Sudbury, Mass. There's a great story behind this!

Since retreat tunes are usually followed by quick steps or quick
marches, I've made a setting of the 9/8 slip jig Jolly Gay Pedlar,
which I found in Carr's Gentleman's Amusement from 1791.
Although an English publication, it contains a very large number of
Scot tunes, dances, and marches. Obviously the Scottish had a
great influence on the English by the end of the century.

Last in our time machine is an arrangement of Yorkshire Bite in
2/4, a time signature very prevalent in early dance arrangements.
This tune is in melody and harmony setting, and although it seems
very simple, its simplicity leaves open much opportunity for
interpretation in both the melody and harmony lines. I've been
playing this arrangement for years, and it can be heard on the CD
"Banks of Allan Waters" with the Middlesex County Volunteers
Fife and Drum Corps.

Some different stuff for the month of March!


BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
-- by Margaret Lepley, standing in for Sandy Lafleur, Secretary

Highlights from the Feb 9th meeting:

Frank Woodward discussed the plans for our upcoming concert in
Bristol, N.H., for Tartan Day. Other upcoming gigs, like the
Fremont Town Hall concerts and the Southern N.H. Highland
Games in Greenfield, were also discussed!

Will there be a Gala 2000? There are many questions to answer
and key slots to fill before we decide on whether or not we can
successfully do a fall Gala Concert. The board is still looking at this.
Meanwhile, the video of Gala 1999 will be edited and made
available to members; very soon - we hope!

Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 22nd. All meetings begin at
7:30 p.m. and are held at the N.H. School of Scottish Arts in
Manchester. Please contact the secretary if you need directions.
These meetings are open to all members. (Note: Members wishing
a complete copy of the Minutes should contact the Secretary.)


NEW HAMPSHIRE TARTAN DAY
-- by Steve Avery

A number of events in New Hampshire will celebrate Tartan Day.
The actual date, April 6, was chosen because the Declaration of
Arbroath, a document signed on that date in 1320, declared
Scotland's independence from England. The United States Senate
passed a resolution two years ago declaring a National Tartan Day
to honor Scots and Scottish Americans who have contributed to the
rich history of the United States. Celebrations are scheduled in
Washington, D.C. at Freedom Plaza, from April 6 through April 9,
2000. In New Hampshire a number of events have been
scheduled.


SRSNH TARTAN DAY GIG UPDATE
-- by Frank Woodward

Things are coming together very nicely for our upcoming Tartan
Day concert in Bristol N.H. on Saturday, April 8th. If you have
already signed up, we are really counting on you, and if you want to
sign up, we'd love to have you. Contact Frank Woodward at 603-
487-2480, or yankee@grolen.com.

We will meet in the Newfound Memorial High School auditorium
at 12:30 pm for our rehearsal. Pizza and drinks will be provided for
supper. The concert will follow at 7:30 pm.

Dress for this event is the traditional white shirt/blouse with black
slacks/skirt. Tartan is preferred but not necessary if you don't have
it.

The concert sets we'll play from are Miss Campbell, Ass, Way to
Judique, Arran Boat, Rowan Tree, Loch Lomond, Farewell
Welcome, Auld Resting Chair, Burns Night, Comin' Thro' the
Rye, Dr. Morrison's Seven Thistles, Campbell's Farewell,
Gareloch, Jack's Welcome, Captain Carswell, We're No Awa'.
Contact me if you need music.

To get to Newfound Memorial High School, take exit 23 from Rt.
93 and follow Rt. 104 west. You will cross a bridge, and shortly
after that you will find NMHS on the right. There is a school
entrance on the right. This is a great time to "Have Fun with
Scottish Music" on Tartan Day.


PEOPLE WRITE:

Hello Gail -- I was looking over the Granite Skyes January issue as
I finish up an issue of the NHFMT newsletter. I really enjoyed the
quotation in your Editor's Word (When you write copy, you have
the right to copyright...). I also happen to write Vespers services for
the U.U. church in Portsmouth so the reading was particularly apt!
Thanks, Anne Deminoff, ed.; N.H. Federation of Musical
Traditions

Barbara McOwen had a note from Margery Stirling of the Summer
Program at Stirling University, Scotland. Margery had helped host
and organize the visit of members of the SRSNH in 1996. She
writes: "Thanks for the Newsletter and for including Susan
Woodward's newspiece on her trip to Stirling Summer Schools. A
few of our 2000 brochures should be winging their way to you
shortly. With kind regards to all at SRSNH."


FEIS BHOSTOIN-THE BOSTON SCOTTISH/GAELIC FESTIVAL
-- by Cliff McGann

All are invited to attend a unique festival celebrating Scottish/Cape
Breton cultural heritage that is being held at Arlington Catholic
High School, 16 Medford St, Arlington, Mass. 02474, on the
weekend of April 28th, 2000. It will feature classes and concerts by
several of Cape Beton's finest dancers, Highland pipers, fiddlers
and Gaelic singers.

Feis Bhostoin will begin with a gala concert on Friday April 28th in
which these performers will demonstrate the strength and vitality of
Cape Breton's wonderful Gaelic music heritage. The Feis will
continue with workshops all day Saturday, ending with a ceilidh,
open to the public (audience participation will be encouraged).
Sunday's workshops will be rounded off by a final ceilidh at which
Feis participants are encouraged to perform the material they have
learned.

At this time confirmed instructors include Barry Shears (pipes),
John Campbell (fiddle), Seumas Watson (song) and Christine
Morrison (step dancing). Besides step dancing, dance style
Highland piping, and Cape Breton fiddle, a variety of classes
focusing on Gaelic song will be taught. Each class will focus on a
separate strand of the Gaelic song tradition (i.e. work songs,
humorous songs, puirt-a-beul etc.).

An event like this in Boston, where many Cape Breton Gaels
immigrated, is long overdue. For a full schedule and registration
information, email Cliff McGann at ceolach@zdnetonebox.com.


TAUREAN CHASSE SELECTED
-- by Don Young

Taurean Chasse, who attended the Edinburgh Harp Festival in
1998, has been selected to participate in a "New Sounds" concert at
the year 2000 Edinburgh Harp Festival. Taurean was the only
U.S. applicant so honored, the six other performers hailing from
Scotland. To be selected, applicants were required to be between
ages 16 and 25. They had to submit a ten-minute demo tape, a
biography, a photograph, and a reference from a music teacher.

The April 14-19 festival, held at the Pleasance Complex in
Edinburgh, will include nine concerts, two ceilidhs, nine workshops,
and 18 five-day classes for various ages, abilities, and interests.
Anyone who would like to attend may contact David Mieras at 87
Swanston Ave., Edinburgh EH10 7DA, Scotland for details.


GRAEME SCOTT AT CDSS FOLK MUSIC WEEK
-- by Isobel Ableson

Graeme Scott from Inverness, Scotland, who has been playing the
fiddle since the age of 8, will teach daily elementary and
intermediate fiddle classes and possibly a class for advanced fiddlers
during Folk Music Week, July 22-29. Graeme was senior solo
fiddle champion at the National Mod (the premier festival of Gaelic
music and culture) in l986, l987 and l995, and is now a frequent
adjudicator at competitions and festivals, including the Mod. A
regular player in folk groups and ceilidh bands, he is also a member
of the Inverness Fiddlers Society. Graeme has a particular interest
in the Highland/Gaelic-influenced style.

There will be Folk Music Week brochures available at the next
gathering or you can call Isobel Abelson, 603-431-7092.


THE RAKES OF MILFORD SESSION
-- by Sandy Lafleur

Great News! Last night was wonderful! About 25 musicians
turned out for a great evening of jamming. Our hosts, the Knights of
Columbus, were most accommodating and appreciative of the
music. Looks like we've found a new home! The only catch to this
arrangement is that we need one member of the K of C for every four
guests. So, a bunch of us (myself included) joined last night.
Memberships are only $5 a year. Next session is Wednesday, April
5th at 7:00. The Knights of Columbus Hall is located on Elm St.,
1/3 mile from the Milford Oval. For info, contact Sandy Lafleur,
673-8497, strumma@aol.com.


THE SRSNH MUSIC DIRECTORSHIP
by Barbara McOwen

It has never been a question of whether, it has been a question of
when. I have been the Music Director of the SRSNH since its
founding in 1988. Perhaps now is the time for me to step down.
There are several things making me think of now -- one is, my
current three-year term is up, as of about June. Another is, I may be
away a lot next year, what with increasing family obligations and
Robert's Sabbatical.

Apart from me, it might be time for the SRSNH to grow in other
directions. Part of the strength of a group is whether it is set up
properly as a going concern, no matter who is running it. I feel the
SRSNH is in a good position to go through a big change like this, in
fact perhaps it's not even that big a change. I have been soliciting
other Music Director voices and ideas and succeeded somewhat,
though not as much as I would have liked. There may be a number
of people able to fulfill the role who have already gotten their feet
wet. I would be really proud of my contributions to the group if the
SRSNH continued straight through without missing a beat!

I'm NOT quitting the group! I will continue with all Music Director
and related duties until the Board of Directors appoints a new
Music Director, hopefully at the May or June 2000 Board meeting.
I will continue to attend all the sessions I can, as I have always
done. I can be appointed the Music Director for specific sessions and
other events if needed. I can continue in some of my other volunteer
capacities within the SRSNH.

Perhaps this is a little late to be informing the group of my intentions.
However, I came to this realization only very recently and, unlike
other times I have experimented with this idea, it now feels like the
right decision.

If any of you have any comments or questions, or would like a job
description or job requirements listing, please let me know. I thank
all of you from way down deep for all you have done to help me out,
and to help the SRSNH out, so much and so givingly. We all
couldn't have done it without all of us!


================================

SRSNH EVENTS

Gatherings on Sunday afternoons, 1-5 pm, Annichiarico Music
Theater, Thompson & S. Main Sts, Concord, N.H. All ages, all
instruments, all levels welcome; free, with potluck refreshments.
March 26, April 30, May 28, June 25, September 24.

Saturday April 8, 7:30 pm: SRSNH Tartan Day Concert, Bristol,
N.H., sponsored by Ernestine & Oley Firth. Contact Frank
Woodward for signups and info.

Sunday May 28, middle of the day: Fremont Meeting House
Celebration, Fremont, N.H. (near Exeter). SRSNH to perform
12:30 - 3; contact Barbara McOwen for signups and info.

Sunday June 3, middle of the day: Southern New Hampshire
Highland Games, Oak Park, in Greenfield, N.H. SRSNH to
perform between 11:15 and around 3:00; contact Barbara
McOwen for signups and info.

Friday-Sunday September 15-17: New Hampshire Highland
Games, at Loon Mountain, Lincoln, N.H. SRSNH to perform
Saturday morning, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, and also for
additional events; contact Barbara McOwen for signups and info.


CALENDAR

Saturday April 1: Indoor Games, FREE ADMISSION! Memorial
High School, Manchester, 9am - 4pm. Pipe Band Competitions,
Highland Dancing, Solo Piping, Drumming, Drum Major events,
and Master Classes with Kenny Butler. Concert following the
Games, 6:30 - 8:30, featuring the adjudicators: world class pipers
Michael Grey and Jake Watson from Canada; championship
dancer Kathleen Campbell; school faculty Sarah Bauhan, Ken
Butler, Gordon Webster, and Lezlie Webster, singer Sarah
Denning; with students from the school. Tickets $12 for adults, $8
for seniors/students, $5 for children

Saturday April 1: Jean Redpath in Concert, Unitarian Universalist
Meetinghouse, 206 Central Street in Franklin, N.H., 7:30 pm.
Tickets: $20 at the door or $18 one week in advance. Send checks
to: U.U. Redpath Concert, PO Box 562, Franklin, N.H. 03235.
Refreshments will be available. Wheelchair accessible building.
Info: 603-286-4596

Sunday April 2, 2:30 pm, Medford, Mass: Boston Branch
Celebration and CD Release Party. Info: 617-864-3410

Thursday April 6: Tartan Day Recognition at the New Hampshire
House of Representatives, State House, Concord, N.H. 10:00 am
(date tentative). Students and teachers from the New Hampshire
School of Scottish Arts will perform. Flowers of the Forest for State
Legislators who have passed away during the past year. Contact
State Representative Stephen Avery at 603-563-8801

Saturday April 8, 7:30 pm: Strathspey & Reel Society of N.H.
Tartan Day Concert, Newfound Regional High School, Bristol,
N.H. Tickets $8 at the door. Two miles from exit 23 on Route 93.
Info: Ernestine Firth 603-744-5409

Saturday April 8, Salem, Mass: Monthly Scottish Country Dance
Party, hosted by the Wee Bluets. Info: 978-745-2229

Saturday April 8: Montreal Branch RSCDS Spring Fling Dance,
music by Sylvia Miskoe, Ralph Thompson, R.P. Hale. Montreal,
Canada. Info: Betty Speirs, speirs@total.net or Sylvia Miskoe,
603-225-6546

Sunday April 9: 4th Annual Tartan Day Dinner, Thistle and
Shamrock Inn, 11 West Main St., Bradford, N.H. $19.95
includes full course Scottish dinner, plus appetizers. Social Hour
5:30 - 6:30 with cash bar. 6:45 Haggis Ceremony with Stephen
Avery reciting the "Address to the Haggis." For information call
603-938-5553

Friday-Sunday April 14-17, Natick, Mass.: NEFFA Festival.
It's earlier than usual (and on the same weekend as the Boston
Marathon) so book your rooms early. Info: 617-354-1340,
http://www.neffa.org/~neffa

Friday-Sunday April 28-30, Watertown, Mass: Boston Scottish
Gaelic Festival, Gala Concert, Workshops, Ceilidhs, at the
Canadian-American Club. With Barry Shears (pipes), John
Campbell (fiddle), James Watson (song), Francis MacEachern
(song), Christine Morrison (dance). Info: Peggy Morrison 978-
858-3792, peggymorrison@mediaone.net, Michael Newton, 781-
324-3194, gaelicmichael@hotmail.com, or Cliff McGann,
ceolach@zdnetonebox.com

Thursday April 27 and going 5 weeks: Fiddle classes with Ryan
Thompson at Traip Academy in kittery, Maine. Beginners classe,
6:30-7:30 pm (no experience); intermediate 8-9 pm (a little
experience). Topics include a little Celtic, Cajun, and Bluegrass.
Kittery Adult Education and Registration. Info: 207-439-5896, or
email at adulted@rwtraip.kittery.k12.me.us

Fri-Sun May 5-7, Lincoln/Woodstock, N.H.: Celtic Crossroads,
Festival of Music Song and Dance. Info: 877-564-SCOT,
www.nhscot.org

Sat May 6, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Mass: The Boston Ball.
Music by Tullochgorum. Info: 617-491-8885


CLASSIFIED

Bruce Tartan for sale: lightweight worsted, 64" wide, American
woven. $25/yd. Contact Ernestine B. Firth, 90 Chestnut St.,
Bristol, N.H., 603-744-5409.

The White Rose of Scotland, Ros Geal na h-Alba - a CD from
Pam Nation. "Scottish music comes alive as Nation takes the cello
solo deep into the tradition. Nation's vocals are great, caring
inflections that make you want impossible translations. This
recording will give you a whole new respect for the cello and the
tradition of Scottish song and culture." Chris Lunn, N.W.
Festivals. Visit our new website at www.pamnation.com for
details, and to hear sound files, or contact us at 253-939-3304 or
scotcello@aol.com.


SRSNH OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

President; Board of Directors: Michael Vose, 27 Jewett Lane,
Hollis, N.H. 03049, 603-465-2959, 603-578-8333 (o),
mivose@inr.net

Vice-President; Board of Directors: Margaret Lepley, 35 Woodbury
St, Arlington, Mass. 02476, 781-646-9697, 781-271-2770 (o),
mlepley@mitre.org

Secretary; Board of Directors: Sandy Lafleur, P.O. Box 1053,
Amherst, N.H. 03031, 603-673-8497, strumma@aol.com

Treasurer; Board of Directors: Ann Hueglin, 62 South Shore Dr,
Contoocook, N.H. 03229, 603-746-2634

Member-At-Large; Board of Directors: Jeff Baker, 2 Riversedge
Dr, Milford, N.H. 03055, 603-673-8716, irishflute@juno.com

Member-At-Large; Board of Directors: Robert S. Reed, P.O. Box
305, Melvin Village, N.H. 03850, 603-569-9424,
skprbob@worldpath.net

Music Director; Board of Directors; Gala 99 Committee; Database
Manager; Memberships; Mailings; Email Newsletter; Lapel Pins:
Barbara McOwen, 146 Washington St, Arlington, Mass. 02474-
1534, 781-648-3955, 617-504-7945 (mobile),
bmcowen@world.std.com

Official SRSNH Address: Sylvia Miskoe, 102 Little Pond Rd,
Concord, N.H. 03301, 603-225-6546, 603-228-0991 (fax),
smiskoe@aol.com, www.srsnh.org

Newsletter Editor: Gail Birch, P.O. Box 505, Townsend, Mass.
01469, 978-597-8016, editorsrsnh@juno.com

Newsletter Publisher: Jim Birch, P.O. Box 505, Townsend, Mass.
01469, 978-597-8016, jdbirch@juno.com

Webmaster: Terry Traub, 71 Slade St, Belmont, Mass. 02478,
617-484-0321, ttraub@world.std.com,
http://world.std.com/~ttraub; see SRSNH web page at
www.srsnh.org

Nominating Committee: Sabrina Matteson, 95 Swamp Rd,
Epsom, N.H. 03234, 603-736-8185, 603-736-4550 (fax),
sabrina.matteson@nea.mv.com

Nominating Committee: Richard Block, 63 Loveren Mill Rd,
Antrim, N.H. 03440, 603-588-2552, rich@fpc.edu

Gala 99 Committee: Susan Christie Woodward, 107 Greenfield
Rd, New Boston, N.H. 03070, 603-487-2480 (N.H.), 617-262-
8560 (Boston), 603-487-2467 (fax), pygarus@aol.com,
swoodward@edc.org

Gala 99 Committee: Marianne Taylor, P.O. Box 94, Deerfield,
N.H. 03037-0094, 603-463-7771, taylorgorman@juno.com

Refreshments: Calvin Gardner, PO Box 392, Amherst, N.H.
03031-0392, 603-673-1407

T-Shirts: Terry Hickman, 8 Stonewall Dr, Rochester, N.H.
03868, 603-332-3549, gtjdhick@aol.com

Back Music: J. Allen Brown, 36 Standish Way, Amherst, N.H.
03031, 603-672-3710, allen_brown@dome.com

Concert Sets: Helen Carlson, P.O. Box 665, Greenland, N.H.
03840, 603-433-8770, helendcarlson@cs.com


SESSIONS, JAMS, DANCES

2nd Sundays - English dancing at the Old Concord Hospital,
Pleasant Street, Concord, N.H.; 6:30-9:30pm. $6, or $5 for
ECDSNH members. Call Judith Ackerson 603-934-2543
jnoska@cyberportal.net

3rd Sundays - English dancing, 7-9:30 pm. at the Portsmouth
Ballroom. Portsmouth, N.H. $6 or $5 for ECDSNH members. Call
Dave Bateman 603-886-5071

3rd Sundays, 3-7 pm - Gaelic Club, at the Canadian American
Club, Watertown, Mass. Info: Peggy Morrison, 978-858-3792

Tuesdays - Scottish Country Dance, 6-8 pm at the Fitchburg
Library, Main St., Fitchburg, Mass. Call Gail Birch 978-597-
8016

1st Tuesdays - Slow Jams in Cambridge, Mass, 6-7:30. Info: Nica
at 617-522-5887

Wednesdays 7:30 pm Concord, N.H. - SCD class at the Odd
Fellows Home, Pleasant St. Contact 603-225-6546

1st Wednesdays, 7 pm - jam session at the K/C Hall, Elm St.,
Milford, 1/3 mile from oval. Info Sandy Lafleur 603-673-8497

2nd Wednesdays, 7 pm - Swedish fiddle night at the home of
Nancy Kalinski. Call or email for directions,
swedishfiddler@hotmail.com 

Wed or Thurs - Scottish Country Dance 7-9 pm in the Chandler
Library, Nashua, N.H. Call Loren Wright 603-891-2331

2nd Fridays Contra dance, Milford. Various bands. Contact Dave
Bateman, 603-886-5071; david.b.bateman@lmco.com

3rd Fridays - Square and Contra Dances presented by 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, 8pm. Milford Contra Dance with open band. Contact
Sylvia Miskoe, 603-225-6546

Saturday afternoons: play fiddle with John Campbell at his home in
Watertown Mass. Call John for specific dates and times 617-924-
1837

2nd Saturdays, Contra dance at Francestown Town Hall 8-11,.
Call or e-m for info Frank Woodward, (603) 487-2480 or
yankee@grolen.com

Saturday afternoons, Arlington (Mass.) Community Traditional
Music Sessions at the Fox Library, 3-7 pm: Mar 25, Apr 8, Apr
29, May 13, May 27, Jun 10. Info: Laura, 781-646-7522


A REMINDER: Deadline for April articles is Friday, April 7. No
calendar dates before April 21 will be included.


PUBLISHERS MESSAGE

Granite Skyes is the newsletter of the Strathspey & Reel Society of
New Hampshire. It is published approximately 10 times a year,
once a month between September and June. Subscription is $6/yr
($10 overseas). Membership is $14/yr for an individual domestic
membership; please inquire about other rates. The newsletter Editor
is Gail Birch, and the Publisher is Jim Birch. All items welcome,
inclusion is dependent on space available; send in by the 1st of the
month for inclusion in the mid-month mailing. Email subscription
(free) to the newsletter is available. The SRSNH Web Page is
maintained by Terry Traub, http://www.srsnh.org.


SRSNH BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President -- Michael Vose
Vice-President -- Margaret Lepley
Secretary -- Sandy Lafleur
Treasurer -- Ann Hueglin
Members-at-Large -- Jeff Baker & Bob Reed
Music Director -- Barbara McOwen


STRATHSPEY & REEL SOCIETY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
102 Little Pond Rd.
Concord, N.H. 03301
603-225-6546
smiskoe@aol.com
www.srsnh.org