Summer Tune List Selected

There's lots to report after tonight's Slow Session.

As you know, I am not an accompanist, and I am generally reluctant to put  chords on the music. Also, I've been giving out spots and not ABC for the most part. We found out tonight that Nancy has been gathering chords for the music, not just for our session but for a wide range of genres that she plays. It turns out that Paul has been taking her information and creating ABC files and turning them into PDFs.

This is great news for those who don't learn by reading music or who want to work on accompaniment but aren't sure what the chords are. A huge thanks goes to Nancy and Paul for gathering the materials. Also to Gary, Nancy and Paul for seemingly always having sheet music to everything.

Here's what we worked on: Miller of Droghan, Joe Bane's Schottische (or Barndance as we have it), Anne Walshe's Reel, our Jig set (Hole in the Hedge/Seamus Cooley's/Kerfunten), Gentle Maiden waltz, the polkas from last year (Egan's-Kerry Polka/Maids of Ardagh/Knocknaboul #2 - 3 part), and a new/old set of reels (Silver Spear/Merry Blacksmith/Sally Garden).

There was a lot of discussion tonight, which is always enjoyable. Folks talking about chords, approaches to accompaniment, discussion different tunes, etc. After we played our sets, we discussed the tunes that we are going to learn/work on for this summer. We also discussed meeting at John's house during the summer. The schedule has to be finalized, so we will release dates and information shortly.

We also got feedback that a second monthly slow session at John's would be welcome. John is checking to see if the scheduling works. Perhaps it will be on a different day of the week? That will be determined and the second monthly session date will begin in the fall.

OK, now for the fun part...TUNES! Here's what we've picked for our summer learning list:

Jigs: Carraroe (also called The Portrowe by Martin Mulvihill) followed by Rambling Pitchfork
also Butcher's March and Moloney's Wife
Reels: Imelda Roland's/Gregg's Pipes
Slow Tune: Lord Inchiquin

Tune sheets, ABCs and sound files to go up soon.

By the way, if folks are interested in gathering somewhere for a slow session down in East Durham, the Wednesday would be a great day to do it - Pauline Conneely is holding a CD launch party down there somewhere on the Wednesday evening, and I'm hoping to get to it. Perhaps Colleen O'Sullivan would be interested in co-hosting a slow session that evening at The Rose Motel and we could do a potluck or something and all go the concert together.

Thanks very much for a lovely evening, everybody! I'm looking forward to next month already.

Cheers,

Hilary

NOTE: June Slow Session in East Greenbush

Pat O'Connor and Eoghan O'Sullivan live in Amherst, MA

I just got back from being out on the road with my friends and musical spirit guides Pat and Eoghan.The lads played all up and down the east coast, and were blown away by the talent they met and the beautiful music they heard in sessions. They were especially impressed with how nice a session there was after their concert at John and Michelle's house.

I hope you can join our Slow Session at John Conway's house tomorrow night, Wed., June 15 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. to dive deep into our great learning tunes together. FREE. 5 Honey B Lane, East Greenbush,NY. (Using a mapping or navigation app on your phone? Make sure you type in "Honey B" and not Honey "Bee".) Questions? 518-424-8701.

We will take July and August off, just like Comhaltas. Speaking of the Albany CCE, on Sunday, June 19 a traditional Irish music session will be held at the Capital District Irish American Association, 375 Ontario St., Albany, NY 12208 (near corner of Ontario and Mercer Streets, parking lot entrance is on Mercer) -- Learning session at 2:30 pm followed by regular session at 3:30 pm.  Sessions occur every 3rd Sunday of the month except in July & August. Admission is Free.

All the Best,

Hilary

Hope You'll Join Me...

Feel like having some tunes?

Good. Me too! See you Wednesday evening, May 17, 2016 from 7:30-9 PM. We'll work on the Spring learning tunes, and our new tunes, The Miller of Drohan and Anne Walshe's Reel, plus Gentle Maiden.

I'm having so much fun with you guys - anyone interested in diving deep into Irish trad tunes and playing slowly is more than welcome to join us!

See you then,

Hilary

p.s. NEW SESSION STARTING UP: Albany CCE Sean O'Riada Chapter is starting a new Fourth Sunday session at O'Slattery's Pub & Restaurant in Main Square on Delaware Avenue in Delmar, NY. Stay tuned to their website (www.albanycce.com) for details in the future.

Hard to Believe Summer is Nearly Here!

Tunes at the End of the Rainbow...

Looking for the Pot of Gold in Voorheesville!

Last night, Eric and I were headed over to Old Songs for a concert, and on our way, we were stalked by a happy rainbow...

We knew that we'd find gold in Voorheesville at the end of the rainbow - John Roberts and performing partner singer Debra Cowan were taking the stage after John's year long convalescence. The gold was truly there - John is BACK! It was a great show and we're so happy he's healthy and doing well again.

Msgr. Charlie Coen, Noel Higgins, Dave Smith and Amy Schoch all came out from the Irish community to support John. It was wonderful to see our friends there as well.

I hope you'll come back to Voorheesville (Slow Session Details) this Wednesday, May 18, 2016 to have a few slow tunes and bask in the gold that is Old Songs! What a great resource for folk and traditional music right here in our area.

Remember, the Old Songs Festival (June 24-26) features folk music from all over the world, and this year, we have some stellar Irish musicians as well. Check out the lineup at festival.oldsongs.org. Also, in case you didn't know, the instructors list is up for Catskills Irish Arts Week (July 11-14). Finally, for those who are interested in a slightly different lineup and are willing to travel a bit further afield, Baltimore's MAD Week (July 17-22) might be just the ticket! One of our sessioneers is planning to go and is willing to carpool. Let me know if you'd like to be connected up!

Sign up for our newsletter in the sidebar, and come this Wednesday, May 18 to the session and get ready for summer!

Cheers,

Hilary