08/24/2024
FALL FIDDLE!
After a splendid summer of Portage gigs in Newfoundland and Ontario, Having left the RCM, I am looking forward to teaching in the fall at my new location, College Street United Church (north-west corner of College and Bathurst). Fairly accessible by TTC, there is also street parking and some parking behind the church.
Here’s the goods:
TAMARACK’ER DOWN Ensemble: 12 weeks
For those who have played 3 years or more. After many years hiatus and a not-so-successful attempt to do it through RCM, we did a wonderful new version of this ensemble in the Spring of 2024 with 15 people. Hopefully some will return and we are absolutely open to new people. We will be trying to keep up some of our arrangements from Spring (don’t worry if you’re new, you can ease into them by learning a few melodies) and adding some wonderful new repertoire, as well as probably recycling some of the hits from years back. This class is focussed on repertoire and playing together as an ensemble with arrangements, chords, harmonies etc.. While your playing will probably improve, as will your knowledge of harmony, back-up and chords, we do not focus as much on Technique as in the TECH/REPERTOIRE classes. This class is open to all melody instruments, piano and guitar.
TIME: 1-3pm, Sunday afternoons
DATES: Sept. 22 - Dec. 1 with a concert at the Church Dec. 8 (skip Oct. 13, Thanksgiving weekend) - 11 sessions plus concert
COST $300
Métis/TECH/ REPERTOIRE workshop - 6 weeks
For those who have played at least 2 years, and/or completed Tamarack’er Down Part II (or equivalent), we will be working on improving technique in the usual 5 areas: Bow, Left Hand, Keys (Modes and Arpeggios), Rhythm and Ear, while learning some gems of the old Indigenous repertoire from Manitoba - Marches, Jigs, Reels. These tunes are a combination of Scottish, French-Canadian, Indigenous and even Appalachian influences, often a bit “crooked” and full of a wonderful dance energy and infectious spirit. Tunes are all taught by ear with sheet music and sound/video files.
TIME: 6:30 - 8pm Tuesday evenings
DATES: Sept. 17 - Oct. 22 - 6 weeks
COST: $180
Cape Breton TECH/REP Workshop - 6 weeks
For those who have played at least 2 years, and/or completed Tamarack’er Down Part II (or equivalent), we will be working on improving technique in the usual 5 areas: Bow, Left Hand, Keys (Modes and Arpeggios), Rhythm and Ear, as applied to some basic Cape Breton Repertoire: Strathspeys, Marches, Jigs, Reels as only Cape Breton can deliver. We will work on double-stringing, ornamentation, and of course, rhythm, rhythm, rhythm. Tunes are all taught by ear with sheet music and sound/video files.
TIME: 6:30 - 8pm Tuesday evenings
DATES: Nov. 5 - Dec. 10 - 6 weeks
COST: $180
Please let me know as soon as you can if you would like to sign up for any of these sessions, and do feel free to ask me whatever questions you might have. Best to e-mail: [email protected] But I will get it here also.
DON"T Forget: I lead a session at the Caledonian (College and Ossington) on the 2nd Wednesday of every month.
Have a wonderful rest of the summer.
