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Monthly Update for Fiddleheads and Friends Recent Activities Thanks to Matt, Hannah, Ben and Torrey for playing music for the Community Contra Dance in Fairfax the evening of 6/7. This was the concluding evening for the first Fairfax Community Day, and followed a rehearsal at the Fairfax United Church and the session at the Bakery in the afternoon. Thanks to Ben for hanging out with me all day, from the rehearsal to ice cream at Nan's after the dance. He even offered to do some chores for me, but took a rain check...... Thanks to Anika, McKinley, Maria and Molly for representing Fiddleheads on 6/15 at the annual Pirate Festival at the Lake Champlain Maritime Festival. We played twice, for about 30 minutes each time, and had good crowds for both, especially the 2nd set...... probably the largest crowd we've played for at this event in 5 years. Thanks to everyone who offered to have me join their picnics..... if I had played my cards right I could have eaten 3 times! I especially appreciated everyone's support and comments regarding Father's Day..... always a hard day for me. Can't think of anything I'd rather do than play some tunes and visit with friends in a beautiful spot on a sunny, beautiful day in Vermont. I was glad that McKinley, Oliver S, Eileen and Nathan were able to take advantage of the discount for young musicians participating in the Northeast Heritage Music Camp at Johnson State College the week of 6/16 through 6/20. I think everyone participated in the Cape Breton, Irish and Quebecoise sessions, a few in the Appalachian sessions, and a couple in the piano and singing sessions. I worked on doing some interviews to let folks know more about it for next year..... I'll include information here about that when its ready. Thanks to Hannah and Maria for playing at the annual S. Whiteny Langdon Awards luncheon sponsored by the Vermont Children's Trust Foundation at the Burlington County Club on 6/18. Is was a bit formal and not exactly clear when to play and when not to play, but the food was good and the crowd was appreciative (if not attentive). It was the first time they didn't have classical music for the luncheon, and everyone I talked to really liked the music. It was the first time I remember anyone clapping for the musicians at this event! Thanks to Hannah, Matt, McKinley, Eliza, Miles and Oliver for representing Fiddleheads at the 1st annual St. Albans Franco American Festival on 6/21. It was just the kind of situation that suits us well..... low pressure, time to practice beforehand, getting to meet and see others who play really well, with the added bonus of being able to concentrate on one particular style. The organizers have already invited us back next year..... I'll keep you posted on the date so that everyone can get it into their schedules. Thanks to Miles, Oliver, Matt, McKinley, Johanna, Ben and Sarah K for representing Fiddleheads at the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge on 6/22. I had a great time carpooling down and bakc with McKinley, Johanna, Ben and Sarah. It was pouring rain for most of the event, so we found a dry spot to play some tunes instead of walking in the parade...... The concert was high and dry in a big tent, and we followed Francoise from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood fame...... remember him, right? How convenient that there as a Ben & Jerry's truck set up right beside the tent! Thanks to Oliver, Matt, Hannah, Noah, Latimer, McKinley and Maria for representing Fiddleheads at the 'Sip a Bowl' benefit dinner for the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program on 6/29 at the First Congregrational Church in Burlington. It was a great experience and we got to contribute to a very worthy cause. I was happy that we could make a contribution to the success of the fund raising effort. Everyone I spoke to said the music and dancing was a terrific way to end the program. I've been trying to find someone who plays the harmonium for years, and finally have a link with the young man who played and sang during the dinner. Be on the lookout for me with a harmonium, soon as we can get one shipped from Bhutan! Thanks to Oliver, Miles, Matt and Maria for representing Fiddleheads at the French Heritage Day in the band shell in Vergennes on 7/12. This was part of a full day of activities, with lots of other performers. The presenters wanted Fiddleheads there to help get young people interested and involved in traditional music, song and dance. We played all French American and Quebecoise tunes. During our rehearsal at the Vergennes Opera House, a photographer from Vermont Life magazine took some photos that will be included in the winter issue. Oliver and Miles, their sister Emily and Mom and Dad joined me for ice cream afterwards, before I headed down to Middlebury to play with the Cajun band. Thanks to Matt, Hannah, Catherine, Molly and Torrey for representing Fiddleheads at Grand Isle State Park on 7/19. Catherine, Molly and Torrey worked on some new tunes, and we played one of them for the evening performance. Everything worked out well again this year, though we had fewer players than in past years....... I still think its about the perfect situation for Fiddleheads..... we get to have a rehearsal, a picnic, then the concert. Thanks to Maria's Mom and Dad for being there, even though Maria was away, and for letting us use their camp site and wood supply for the picnic. The threatening weather stayed away for the most of the afternoon and evening....... beautiful, sunny skies allowed us to play outside instead of in the stiffling hot Nature Center. I'm sure we'll be invited for a 6th consecutive year in 2009. Where's Waldo….. er, Fiddleheads? Congratulations to Latimer for graduating from high school AND being the Valedictorian! Rumor has that he worked in some fiddling during his graduation speech……. You'll have to check with him about details…… Roland was selected as Higher Ground's 'Artist of the Month!' for July and was featured in a concert there with Peter Rowan and Tony Rice on 7/16. Check out www.highergroundmusic.com/artistofthemonth/?c=209 for more information. Cool! New tunes Here's a list of tunes we've added to the Fiddleheads master list since the last update: Quadrille des Laurentides 4th Figure, Reel Beatrice, Reel de Matawa, the Rags (La Guenille), Set de la Baie St. Paul, La Toque Blue and Le Valse des Juenes Filles. I haven’t been good about making PDF copies recently…… let me know if you'd like sheet music copies of these tunes, and I'll send them to you. Web Site Be sure to check in with the Fiddleheads web site (www.fiddleheads.org). Continued thanks to William's Mom (Sandra) for setting this up and working with me on a system for keeping it updated. I'll be adding/changing/updating information, photos and other details every so often, so check in once in awhile. Its where you'll find a copy of these updates and the most current appearances list. CDs I haven't made any progress on the next CD project, which will be totally Quebecoise/French Canadian effort, in celebration of the 400th anniversary (2009) of Samuel Champlain first seeing the lake that bears his name. Still working on some options for a stuido to use. Will keep you posted. Fiddleheads-sponsored trips and music camps With travel costs rising so rapidly and my health situation being so complicated, opportunities for making a trip happen this summer just slipped away. I am beginning to do some planning for next summer, especially given the large group of Fiddleheads who will be graduating from high school next year....... more about that later, if anything develops. Sponsors Remember that Bean's Violins, operated by Matt's Mom and Dad (Diann and Steve) are a Fiddleheads business sponsor. In exchange for being listed in Fiddleheads information as a sponsor, Steve will give advice and/or make minor adjustments at Fiddleheads rehearsals and performances. Be sure to talk to him about instruments, strings and related supplies and equipment. Phone number is 373-4311, e-mail is beansviolins@comcast.net. Appearances, rehearsals and other activities Below is an updated list of rehearsals, appearances and other activities. Please get them on your calendar and give me an update about your plans for planning to be at each of them or not. This is only the basic information….. before most performances and dances, I send a bunch of details (usually more than you probably need...... directions, telephone numbers, title of event, set list suggestions, admission arrangements, arrival time, length of performance, etc.). If you have any questions about them in the meantime, let me know. Unconfirmed things to be on the alert for (no need to confirm this stuff until/unless you hear from me again with more specifics): recording sessions for CD project, French Canadian festival in Morrisville on 9/13/08, Harvest Festival at Shelburne Farms on 9/20/08, 2nd annual St. Albans Franco American Festival in mid-June 2009, a 'senior trip' to 'somewhere' during the winter or spring school break or in the summer of 2009, Kids Pirate Festival at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in June 2009, and international festival at the Sheraton in South Burlington in July 2009. I'm having surgery on 7/24, and will be needing one person to help me out with sound for Fiddlehead events for 3 to 4 weeks after that. This usually entails arriving at least 1 hour before the event starts, and taking care of unloading, lifting and positioning stuff, then packing it all up and loading it into the car after we're all done, staying with me until that's all finished. I'll identify where I need help with each event below (look for 'SOUND HELP NEEDED')...... let me know if you're willing to be that person for the events listed. 7/26/08: Art in Bloom Festival in Fairfax (1pm to 2pm): Matt, Hannah, Mari and Torrey are confirmed. I likely won't be there for this one, it being only 2 days after surgery……. will get some details out in advance to those who are confirmed. No sound help needed for this one. 7/30/08: Party at the Jericho Public Library (4pm to 5pm): Amy and her Mom (Donna) invited Fiddleheads play for this party prior to the ice cream social in Essex. We will play while kids are making their own sundaes and having their faces painted. Amy's friends Levi, Sean, James, and Lucas are also going to play, but not as 'Open for Suggestion' (the name of their group)..... they did some music for the new Voices Project movie. Confirmed so far are Hannah, Matt and Sarah K..... Amy can't be there on that date, although she is organizing the event. No sound help needed for this one...... Rachel Schattman is helping me out for this event and the one a few hours later in Essex. 7/30/08: ice Cream Social and Family Contra Dance (7pm to 9pm): This is a family dance as part of an ice cream social sponsored by the Essex Public Library. Matt, Hannah and Molly have confirmed. Free ice cream for players.... show up by 6pm for this! We could use at least a couple more players. Let me know if you can make it! No sound help needed for this one...... Rachel Schattman is helping me out for this event and the one in Jericho. 8/1/08: Concert at City Hall Park in Burlington (5pm to 6:30pm): John Cronin from the group Trinity and the host of the Ceilis at the Lincoln Inn in Essex Junction invited Fiddleheads to do this….. we are now confirmed. I've got Miles, Matt, Hannah, Latimer, McKinley and Maria down as playing. Oliver, Catherine, Ben and Sarah K won’t. SOUND HELP NEEDED! 8/4/08: Dance at VYO Camp at the Elley Long Center in Colchester (evening): The folks at VYO (Vermont Youth Ochestra) asked me to do a dance on the Monday evening of the VYO camp (August 4th)...... I suggested we do it with musicians who will be there anyway for the camp, and have some affiliation with Fiddleheads and/or dance music fiddling in general. For those I know about, I've asked if its something they'd be willing to be part of, since they would be there anyway. So far Oliver, Hannah, Celina,Johana and Duncan have confirmed (also Duncan's Dad on piano). McKinely is a maybe. Matt, Roland and Maria are definite nos. SOUND HELP NEEDED! 8/5/08: Concert at BFA in Fairfax (7pm to about 8pm): This is the 4th year in a row that Fiddleheads have been invited to play as part of the Faifax Public Library's summer series. I've confirmed with the organizers, but we could use 3 or 4 additional players to make it a good showing. Matt, Hannah and Torrey are confirmed. Miles, Oliver, Roland, Eliza, Catherine and Maria are definte nos. Let me know if you can do it. SOUND HELP NEEDED! 8/9/08: Wedding Reception at the Monitor Barn in Richmond (approximately 3:30pm to 4:30pm): This event is CANCELLED! 8/31/08 (note the date correction!): New World Festival in Randolph (TBA time, likely early to mid-afternoon): This will be the 2nd year that Fiddleheads will be playing at this festival. Last year year we had a great time doing a concert and a family area performance. Let me know if you can plan on being there. So far Miles, Oliver, Matt, Hannah, Catherine and Maria have confirmed. 9/7/08: Market Fest on Church Stret in Burlington (11:15am to 12:15pm): Fiddleheads have done this once before as a group, though I know several of you have played on Church Street individually or in other groups. Its usually fun, assuming the weather cooperates. Miles, Oliver, Matt, Hannah and Maria are confirmed. 10/26/08: Children's Memorial Service at Ira Allen Chapel at the University of Vermont (sometime between about 3pm and 6pm): Fiddleheads have been invited back as part of this program for the 5th year….. I have confirmed with the planing committee at Fletcher Allen (which I am a member of). Matt, Roland, McKinley, Maria and Torrey have confirmed. Miles, Oliver, Hannah, Ben and Sarah are definite nos. Eliza and Latimer are maybes. This is the one event each year that I make a personal request for players to consider participating in, as my son Thomas is one of the children remembered. Please consider coming if you think you can make it....... it would mean a lot to my wife and I if Fiddleheads were well represented. For those who don't know...... the Children's Memorial Service is held once a year at Ira Allen Chapel at UVM. Fiddleheads play a couple of selections sometime during the service, which starts around 3pm, and is over by about 4:30/5. The service is for the families of children who have died, associated with the hospital in some way. There are several other young musicians and singers included in the program, often including VYO members, a harp player, a couple of singers, and several speakers...... a couple of children I've been working with from the Bosnian community will be singing this year as well. Its supposed to be a celebration of the children's lives, youth in general, and this is the 6th that the service has been held. If you haven't participated in the past, its only fair to let you know that the experience can be a little rough emotionally..... its about remembering children who have not made it through some extremely tough experiences...... family members are there, and there is a slide show with photos of the children....... some of them the only images parents have of their infants, some of which are not pleasant to look at. You should know up front that although its supposed to be celebratory and life-affirming, there's no getting around the sadness and loss that fills the room and the service. Please let me know if you can do it. 11/7/08: Harvest Dance at St. Paul’s Church in St. Albans (7pm to 9pm). This will be the 4th year in a row that Fiddleheads will be playing for this family oriented dance and harvest season celebration. I'll ask again for players, but it would be helpful to if you let me know if you can make it, when you know. Matt has confirmed. Hannah is a definite no. 12/31/08: Richmond Celtic Festival (starting no earlier than 7pm, ending no later than 11:30pm): Fiddleheads are now confirmed……. Let me know if you can plan on being part this, our 2nd time at this New Year's Eve event. Hannah and Matt are confirmed. Miles and Oliver are definite nos. Matt is a maybe. 6/14/09 through 6/20/09: The Northeast Heritage Music Camp at Johnson State College in Johnson. Yet another week of instruction by world class players of traditional music from Cape Breton, Quebec, Ireland, New England and the American South, including music study, concerts, contra dances and nightly jams every evening featuring camp staff. I hope to have a video to share of young folks who participated in 2008, and will be making a push for anyone associated Fiddleheads to consider doing the camp this year, with some sort of financial subsidy for Fiddleheads members and associates...... all the ice cream you can eat is included! Visit the web for updates and other details..... www.northeastheritagemusiccamp.com Photos, videos and recordings Thanks to Matt's Dad for the photos he gave me recently on disc...... loved it! If anyone has digital photos from performances they could copy onto a disc and mail to me, I’d love to get them! Seems I’m always too busy with other things to get any photos or videos, but often have a camera with me…… let me know if you're willing to use it to take some photos for me. Future I've been wrestling with how to manage Fiddleheads activities more effectively, making it a better experience for players and for myself, and have several ideas perculating that may come to pass in the coming months. It seems to be getting harder and harder to get enough Fiddleheads together for performances, rehearsals, recordings, workshops, etc., while there's an abundance of other, non-Fiddleheads players willing and eager to participate in these types of things. Several Fiddleheads members are increasingly doing things on their own anyway. One idea I've been considering is to merge to work I do with Young Tradition and Fiddleheads. Its a close link in any case, and the lines increasingly get blurred as Young Tradition is adding showcase performances in addition to the May concert in Burlington, a CD project, travel and music camp plans for next summer, hosting and doing exchanges with groups doing similar things from other parts of the US and the world (e.g. hosting youth groups from Australia and Northumberland/Scotland this fall, and likely Ireland and Michigan next spring and summer). Another idea is me starting to do some individual teaching, to try bridge the major gap that currently exists between the experienced Fiddleheads members and those who are just getting started. I'm not thinking about abandoning the time or effort I put into Fiddleheads, just considering some changes that will make it more fun and interesting for everyone..... me included! Mark Sustic, PO Box 163, Fairfax, Vermont 05454 802-849-6968 mrksustc@together.net
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