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Country Dance and Song SocietyFolk Music Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyFolk Music Week at Pinewoods
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Folk Music Week at Pinewoods July 22 - 29, 2006 Program Director: Staff: *Advisor, plus: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Adult Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
Folk Music Week offers a wide range of activities to appeal to all musical tastes, interests and experiences. Traditional song and its interpretation is a particular strength this year -- our staff members are foremost among those who have shaped and influenced our understanding of what folk song is, and of its place in the societies in which it flourishes. Another outstanding feature is an emphasis on appropriate and effective use of instrumental accompaniment -- for song as well as dance. And we'll have a lot of fun doing it all.
Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman return to Pinewoods to present three classes exploring seasonal traditions, parallels across British and U.S. traditions and selected common themes in folk song. Finest Kind -- Ian Robb, Ann Downey and Shelley Posen -- will teach campers their distinctive approach to harmony with plenty of opportunity to participate. Individually, Finest Kind will share their expertise in concertina accompaniment, cowboy songs and yodeling, the Sheffield pub caroling tradition and much more. Kathy Bullock, a popular staff member in the past at Folk Music Week is back to lead classes in gospel traditions, spirituals and harmony singing. Jeanne Morrill will teach very important skills in vocal technique in a daily class for all, will lead vocal and body warm-ups to get us ready for the demands of the day and is available for individual voice coaching sessions, which can be booked in advance. Mark Simos will lead an in-depth class in "tunesmithery": the composition of new tunes in traditional forms and styles, and a class in song accompaniment for various instruments. He will also play for evening dances. Speaking of which, we are delighted to welcome back the charming Becky Hill to call for evening dance party, as well as our daily dance class. The incomparable Canote Brothers, who are leading a concurrent course in old-time string band music for a selected group of participants, will teach banjo and old-time fiddle, play for dances and lend their unique bonhomie to the week. Jeff McClintock will teach a beginning guitar class and play for rapper and social dancing. Alistair Brown will lead singing of the Scottish persuasion and teach rapper with his customary enthusiasm and lack of restraint. He is also available to help out with song accompaniment on the anglo concertina.
Each day's classes will culminate in a social gathering hosted by Ian Robb, where there will be a variety of presentations available from both campers and staff. In the evenings, a staff concert is followed each evening by a dance and a late evening activity. One night will feature a pub night/ceilidh with contributions from as many as will, along with barn dances and general jollity.
This will all inevitably lead to some agonizing decisions having to be made. With so many talented musicians offering to share their knowledge and skills, and so many choices on offer, every selection has to mean another choice deferred to another time. Ah well. -- Alistair Brown, Program Director
Scotsman Alistair Brown has been singing the old songs, and new songs written by people who like the old songs, since he was fifteen years old. Now resident in the ancient Celtic kingdom of Cornwall, he spent many years in Canada, where he was active in many aspects of folk song and dance, as a recording artist, radio broadcaster, columnist, festival director, dance teacher, university lecturer and frequent Pinewoods staffer.
Kathy Bullock's father was a Baptist minister and she grew up singing and playing piano and organ in his church and performing with her four sisters. She is a professor of music at Berea College where, in addition to teaching music theory and ear training, she teaches courses in African-American music and directs the gospel choir.
The Canote Brothers, from Seattle, WA, are as renowned for their affable attitudes and humor as they are for their music. Greg on fiddle, and Jere on guitar, both on banjo ukes, play for dances, lead songs and promote a good time.
The Canote Brothers demonstrate their love and mastery of vintage styles from old-time fiddle tunes and country songs to novelty numbers and swing. They perform with spirit, humor, sterling musicianship and genetically-matched voices. Greg and Jere share a well-honed ear for the quirky -- as one reviewer put it, "Their songs all have the ring of cock-eyed classics!"
The twin brothers started singing soon after they were born and haven't closed their mouths since. They spent their early years in California's Sacramento Valley, inventing songs with their father at the piano and tagging along with their parents' folk and square dance group.
Finest Kind is the remarkable folk trio from Ottawa, Canada whose exquisite harmony singing and brilliant vocal arrangements are bringing a fresh sense of excitement and discovery to the performance of old songs. The trio's glorious sound, served up with easy-going humor, has won a devoted following across North America. Finest Kind was formed in Ottawa, Canada, in 1991.
Becky Hill is the author of two books of original contra dances, Twirling Dervish and Twirling Dervish Returns, and is an internationally-popular caller, choreographer and dance teacher. She is particularly adept at creating evenings of exciting dances which are fun for all levels of dancers. She will call our daytime dance sessions as well as the evening dances.
Jeff McClintock's creative and energetic musical style has enlivened concerts and dances across the globe. For many years, his driving keyboard accompaniments underpinned arrangements with the Friends of Fiddler's Green. He has the dubious distinction of leading an otherwise all-female Scots fiddle ensemble called Frillyknickers -- in Saudi Arabia.
Jeanne Morrill received musical training from Boston University, School for the Arts, New England Conservatory and in Scotland studying both Gaelic language and song. She has received enthusiastic acclaim in concerts, festivals and Scottish and Irish events and performs frequently with Peter Barnes. She has performed with other artists such as Seamus Connolly, Alistair Fraser, Aine Minogue, Kim Robertson and Jacqueline Schwab and has two solo recordings. She teaches voice and piano and gives frequent workshops to adults and children.
Denise Norton O'Sullivan is a native of Madison County located in western North Carolina. She grew up in a small mountain community called Sodom Laurel. This tiny community is known for it's rich heritage of music and the perseverance to pass the music from generation to generation. Denise is a ninth generation ballad singer. She learned these ballads from several members of her family. One of the most influential people in Denise’s life was her grandmother, Martha Norton Chandler.
Mark Simos's musical imagination weaves a lifetime love of many traditions into innovative musical forms. As songwriter and composer, fiddler, "tunesmith," and guitar and piano accompanist, Mark draws on a long apprenticeship in a wide variety of genres -- Irish, Southern old-time, New England, Québécois, bluegrass and Klezmer among others -- creating a musical language grounded in traditional forms, yet uniquely his own.
Pete Vigour, from central Virginia, grew up in a musical family and has played and sung string band music all his life. He is known as an old-time banjoist, fiddler, and guitarist. His band Uncle Henry's Favorites has played for dances and parties for 20 years. Pete teaches music full-time, and enjoys playing at jam sessions.
Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman's enthusiasm sparkles in their powerful vocal performances which have developed from their involvement in traditional and traditional-style music for over 25 years. Their first love is a capella singing, both solo and in harmony, and they acknowledge the debt of gratitude that is owed to source and early revival singers who have helped to keep alive this wonderful singing style. They present a varied cross section of material from the delicate solo to the rousing chorus.
| Folk Music Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast | |
| 8:45 - 9:00 Vocal and Body Warm-ups with Jeanne Morrill | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 Class Period 1 | |
| Parallels | Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman |
| English Concertina | Ian Robb |
| Sheffield Carols | Shelley Posen |
| Cowboy Songs | Ann Downey |
| Rapper | Alistair Brown |
| 10:15 - 11:15 Class Period 2 | |
| Dance Party | Becky Hill |
| Vocal Technique | Jeanne Morrill |
| Singing in the Spirit: African-American Spirituals | Kathy Bullock |
| Tunesmithery | Mark Simos |
| A Life in Folk Music - Not Yet | Shelley Posen |
| 11:15 - 12:15 Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 12:15 Lunch | |
| 1:30 - 2:30 Class Period 3 | |
| Seasons | Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman |
| Harmony | Kathy Bullock |
| Song Accompaniment | Mark Simos |
| Beginning Guitar | Jeff McClintock |
| Scottish Singalong | Alistair Brown |
| 2:45 - 3:45 Class Period 4 | |
| Harmony | Finest Kind |
| Gospel Singing: Today's Story Through Today's Song | Kathy Bullock |
| Themes | Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman |
| String Band Fiddle | Greg Canote |
| String Band Guitar | Jere Canote |
| String Band Banjo | Pete Vigour |
| 3:45 - 4:15 Refreshments | |
| 4:15 - 5:30 Camphouse Gathering / Presentations | |
| 5:30 - 6:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 6:30 Dinner | |
| 8:00 Staff Concert | |
| 9:15 Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 Late Night Activities | |
Class Descriptions:
[Back to Top]Warm ups -- Jeanne Morrill
Get your voice and your body ready for the day with fifteen minutes of exercises for all.
Parallels -- Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman
Dave and Anni will explore English and American history in song, comparing examples from the Civil War/Industrial Revolution, cowboys and drovers and many others. There will be contributions from campers.
English Concertina -- Ian Robb
This is an intermediate level class dealing with both song accompaniment and tune playing taught by one of the best.
Sheffield Carols -- Shelley Posen
The area around Sheffield has a long tradition of choral renditions of unique versions of Christmas carols, similar in many ways to sacred harp, except that these are performed in local pubs! Song books will be provided.
Cowboy Songs -- Ann Downey
This will be an overview of the genre, taking a chronological approach with a look at how it has been interpreted over time. Several days will be devoted to learning how to yodel.
Rapper -- Alistair Brown / Jeff McClintock
Here's an opportunity for first-timers to try out one of the most interesting and rewarding of English dance traditions. No experience is necessary, and absolute beginners are guaranteed to amaze themselves (and their friends) as they perform this seemingly impossible sword dance.
Dance Party -- Becky Hill / Jeff McClintock and friends
Contras and squares for all -- a great energizer!
Vocal Technique -- Jeanne Morrill
Participants will learn and practice valuable lessons to strengthen their voices and improve their technique.
Singing in the Spirit: African-American Spirituals -- Kathy Bullock
We will learn about the origin, the purpose and the stories of the African-American spirituals, through listening, learning and singing. While the origin may be specific to a certain time and place, the messages are universal.
Tunesmithery -- Mark Simos
Mark's Tunesmithery class will emphasize new composition as an integral part of the tradition. It will appeal to a broad set of genres -- old-time, contra, Irish and English, and to multiple instruments. While focusing on instrumental tunes, it will also deal with tunes for those writing songs.
A Life in Music - Not Yet -- Shelley Posen
Here we get the benefit of both Shelley's lifetime involvement with music, and his Ph.D. in folklore. This session will explore the repertoire of the Ottawa Valley and Newfoundland, a "60 Minute Shape Note Instructor" and a session on modern Jewish Songs from his own repertoire.
Seasons -- Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman
This workshop deals with English seasonal songs and customs. In addition to the songs, there will be text and photos covering the seasons and traditional customs.
Harmony -- Kathy Bullock
We will learn to harmonize and sing in the traditional styles of gospel, spirituals and hymns that are commonly sung in the African-American tradition.
Song Accompaniment -- Mark Simos
For guitarists but not just for guitarists, this will enable singers and musicians to escape the mundane, and add that distinctive flourish to their show. Topics include chord choices and modes, as well as texture, arrangement, harmony and counterpoint.
Beginning Guitar -- Jeff McClintock
Beginners and relatively inexperienced players will benefit from Jeff's instruction in chord patterns, fingerpicking styles and song accompaniment.
Scottish Singalong -- Alistair Brown
There will be an extensive set of old and new Scottish songs for all to join in on. As we go along, there will be some information about the cultural references, and tactful advice will be offered on pronunciation.
Harmony -- Finest Kind
Finest Kind's harmonies are an enchanting feast of opulent chords and ever changing textures. Their amazing vocal blend has been called "molecular bonding" by one reviewer: "Any closer," he says, "and they wouldn't be allowed to do it in public." Audiences invariably mention "goosebumps". This is your chance to find out how they do it.
Gospel Singing: Today's Story Through Today's Song -- Kathy Bullock
In this course we will sing both traditional and contemporary gospel musical selections, learning the musical style and listening to the stories of the musicians who performed them. Music will range from works by traditional gospel musicians such as Thomas Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, and James Cleveland to contemporary artists such as Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams.
Themes -- Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman
Recurrent and common themes in folk song such as "The Valiant Sailor ", "Women in Folk Song" and "The Rambling Soldier" will be explored. Participants will be encouraged to contribute.
String Band Instruments
Techniques, hints, repertoire and practice for old-time music -- the most fun you can have with your hat on... These classes are designed for the String Band Course, but are open to others who are comfortable with their instruments.
Staff
Class Descriptions & Schedule
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413-268-7426 |
Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST |
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