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Shepherdstown Music & Dance Announces New Season

By Staff | Aug 31, 2012

Shepherdstown Music and Dance is proud to announce the program events for the upcoming season. After a going dark for the first time since our founding in 1979, our dances resume on the first Saturday of the month at the War Memorial Building with Ann Fallon calling a lively selection of contra dances to the music of The Contra Rebels with Barb Schmidt & Todd Clewell on fiddle, Henry Koretzky on guitar and Bruce Campbell on bass. All of the dances will be taught and there is workshop for new dancers at 7:30PM.

Our international concert series starts a brand new season in September and has an exciting line up of concerts with a selection of artists performing traditional music in a variety of styles. All of our events can be found on our web page at smad.us, and the complete concert schedule is below with details.

Shepherdstown Music & Dance International Concert Series

“Music from the Americas”

This year’s series celebrates music from the Americas and beyond with established masters and some of the finest proponents of the next generation in traditional music. These young players, firmly grounded in their tradition, combine music from other cultures and strong improvisational skills to remind us that these are all dynamic living traditions.

Concerts are held in a variety of locations including Shepherd University’s Frank Center, Reynolds Hall and the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in Shepherdstown, WV. Many of the concerts have weekend music workshops hosted by the Upper Potomac Music Weekends, see their web page at upmw.smad.us for details on hands on programs for musicians.

Tickets for all concerts will be available by mail or at the door. Admission is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 SMD members, and $8 children and students. Season tickets are available to SMD members at a significant discount! Family discounts are available. Shepherd University students get in free with Rambler ID.

Volunteers are always welcome to help with the concerts in exchange for free admission. All concert locations are accessible to the handicapped. Many special needs can be met with advance notice.

For more information call (304) 263-2531 or check our website at www.smad.us or email us at updf@earthlink.net.

All concerts start at 8:00PM, except our holiday program.

Friday, September 7: The Bee Eaters & Bruce Molsky

Grand National Fiddle Champions, Tashina Clarridge and her multi-instrumentalist brother, Tristan, trace their musical roots back to Celtic, bluegrass, old-time and jazz; but together with dulcimer wizard Simon Chrisman, they have opened up new territory with their expressive and sensitive playing. Garnering great praise in a wide variety of places for their latest CD, Oddfellows Road, with special guest, Appalachian fiddle master, Bruce Molsky, (among others), they bring this bold new sound to our stage.

At Shepherd University Reynolds Hall.

Friday, October 12: Notorious Lauded as “sparkling” and “exhilarating” Notorious musicians Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger present a thrilling musical experience in genres that span many continents; from fiery Romanian gypsy melodies to barn-burning Appalachian dance tunes. With Eden on fiddle and vocals and Larry on guitar and banjo, their music lights up the hall with rhythm and sonority. At Shepherd University Reynolds Hall.

Friday, November 16: Irish Session Lads

Traditional jigs and reels meander to delicate old-world waltzes, and spiral around to contemporary improvisations and layers of harmonic invention in the music of these three fine young Irish musicians who grew up in the heart of the Irish session scene in Baltimore and at camps and festivals throughout the Northeast. Cleek Schrey anchors the band with dynamic fiddle and piano accompaniment, Sean McComiskey drives the the rhythm with lively button accordion, and Stuart Jackson adds a touch of spark with his “smooth as silk” playing on the Irish uilleann pipes. At Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

Sunday, December 23: Trio Galilei at 4PM

Rekindling a passion for Early music, this trio melds the elegance of chamber music with the excitement of traditional music in a repertoire that move flawlessly from lush Baroque interpretations of 18th century Irish airs to infectious reels and jigs, from haunting Welsh melodies to Galician Waltzes and Breton dance tunes, stitching a tapestry of texture, harmony, and rhythm. With founding members of the 5 piece national touring ensemble Carolyn Surrick on viola da gamba, and harpist Sue Richards joined by 1997 Scottish fiddle champion Hanneke Cassel on violin; this holiday concert is sure to please all of your family members and be a highlight of this year’s celebration.

At the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.

Friday, January 4: Fiddle Summit This popular annual event, draws some of the finest fiddlers from a variety of traditions into a showcase concert. This year we present Kimberley Fraser, 1995 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, combines lyrical melodies with driving dance rhythms in her energetic fiddling. Oisin MacDiarmada brings his native Sligo fiddle with it’s sweet tone and elegant phrasing. David Kaynor is one of the finest proponents of New England dance fiddle, and also shines on Scandinavian styles. West Virginia based, old-time fiddler and founding member of the Critton Hollow String Band, Joe Herrman is well known for his instrumental prowess and singing. And the band Cabaret Sauvignon finishes off the show with Andrea Hoag”s fine fiddling, Karen Ashbrook on hammered dulcimer and flute, Belgian-born multi-instrumentalist, Paul Oorts on mandolin, guitar, accordion and more, and piano wizard Dave Wiesler playing music drawing from diverse European roots. At the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church. Co-sponsored with Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat.

Saturday, January 19: Squeeze the Bag! Bring a new warmth to a cold winter’s night as you experience the magic of the bellows-blown bagpipes played by some of the finest masters on these unique instruments. Kinder and gentler cousins of the great highland pipes, they are designed for playing indoors with other instruments and are mellow and expressive. EJ Jones is a performer and pipe maker who’s travels take him across the continent performing with the Celtic band, Clandestine, with the Medieval and Renaissance band Istanpitta, and the pipe andband Teribus. EJ plays a wide range of bagpipes, wooden flute, and bombardeis certain to entertain anyone who likes music from the Celtic Realms. All-Ireland champion,Ivan Goff is an uilleann piper who has been highly praised his technical and melodic mastery of this subtle and expressive instrument. Multi-instrumentalist Ian Lawther is the undisputed master of the Northumbrian smallpipes on this side of the Atlantic and the lively dance repertoire associated with these tiny pipes. Matt & Shannon Heaton show a fine flair for Irish music performing songs and instrumental melodies on wooden flute, guitar, bouzouki and bodhran.

At Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall. Co-sponsored with the Upper Potomac Pipers Weekend.

Friday, February 22: FullSet Hot, fresh and bursting with a dynamism that makes music come to life, the on-the-rise FullSet has been likened to Irish super groups such as Dan and Altan. Irish Music Magazine exclaims, “the blazing energy they possess is matched with confident instrumental skill and imaginative outcome. Musically they kick powerfully.” This six-member ensemble ranging from fiddles to uilleann pipes to vocals was recently dubbed “New Group of the Year” at the 2012 Live Ireland Music Awards and “Best New Band” at the Irish American News Music Awards. Together, these incredibly talented artists create an intoxicating sound while simultaneously honoring their rich, Irish roots.

At Shepherd University’s Frank Center Auditorium.

Saturday, March 9: Paired Traditions Combining fiddle and hammered dulcimer traditions from New England and the southern Appalachians, we bring Bill Spence and George Wilson of the celebrated New England trio Fennig’s All Star String Band, who have been a mainstay of the dance and music scene for over 40 years, and our own local favorites Joe Herrmann (of Critton Hollow String Band) and Ken Kolodner to share the stage at the Upper Potomac Spring Dulcimer Festival. Lively traditional dance melodies as well as songs to warm your heart, promise to make this an unforgettable evening for all.

At Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall. Co-sponsored with Upper Potomac Spring Music Weekend.

Weekend workshops featuring many of these performers at www.upperpotomacmusic.info .