Fall Concerts: From the Ukraine to the Celtic Realm
Take a trip to the Heart of Europe: Passionate music from the Ukraine with Gerdan
Saturday, October 14, 2023 8PM
St. Peters Lutheran Parish
Shepherdstown Music and Dance invites you to spend an evening listening to some music from the heart of the Ukraine with the trio Gerdan at 8pm at St. Peter’s Lutheran Parish. The music combines what many think of as Gypsy melodies which comprise some of the folk traditions of the region; the music features fiery fiddle, and virtuosic flute performance on a wide variety of folk flutes (including the panflute and the sopilka) and intricate guitar accompaniment.
Gerdan ensemble is named after a multi-colored, intricately woven beaded necklace from Carpathian Mountains in Ukraine. Like this dazzling and exquisite necklace, musicians bring alive rich arrangements that reflect their passion for tradition Eastern European folk melodies and rhythms. Inspired by their native roots and heritage, they create and perform their own special blend of world music that brings together the old with the new, in a style that is fresh, lively, and beautiful.
The Gerdan concert features traditional songs and folk melodies from Ukrainian, Slovak, Czech, Gypsy sources that are rich in history, and complexity. Bringing together a duo of folk and classically trained musicians consisting of flute master, Andrei Pidkivka who plays a vast assortment of folk flutes from the region, and violinist Solomia Gorokhivska, this concert will bring to life music of the Ukraine!
The duo are conservatory trained classical musicians who teach and perform in regional symphonies, as well as having a strong rooting in the folk traditions in the music they have played in their homes and communities for pleasure at weddings, celebrations and family gatherings. Their performances often combine the folk stories, songs and dances which are also a part of the tradition.
This concert is the first concert in this Shepherdstown Music and Dance’s International Concert Series this season. The concert starts at 8pm. Admission cost is $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 SMD members, $10 students, paid by cash or check, taken at the door. Cash or checks only.
Saturday, November 25: 2 Concerts with Nicolas Carter, Paraguayan Harper, with special guest Ralph Gordon at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.
Versatile, expressive, internationally acclaimed performer of the Paraguayan harp with 30 years of experience, able to create a warm and inviting experience for audiences with a sophisticated repertoire of Latin American and world music combined with storytelling and humorous reflections on life. It’s hard to just put one label on Nicolas Carter. He’s a Paraguayan harpist, a storyteller, a theatre artist, a world traveler, and a general scholar on life. His performances leave his audiences feeling not only amazed by his music, but also enlightened, warmed, and healed by the experience. Nicolas was born in Minnesota, but raised in Paraguay a country with a rich tradition of their own style of harp playing, and even their own individual instrument, the Paraguayan harp (the country’s national folk instrument). If you only associate the harp with European classical music, then let’s just say you’re in for a life- changing surprise. And you’re getting the world’s best introduction to the rich, joyful sounds and rhythms of Latin American harp music. Nicolas is recognized as one of the world’s top Paraguayan harp performers.
3PM: One hour Family Concert full of songs, stories and life experiences. $10 adults, $5 children and students, $30 family maximum, paid by cash or check, taken at the door.
7:30PM: Concert featuring Nicolas Carter on harp and Ralph Gordon on bass and cello. Prepare to be charmed as these two lead you through traditional and new music, Latin rhythms, stories, musings and more. $22 adults, $20 seniors, $18 members, $15 students, paid by cash or check, taken at the door .
Celtic Christmas Concert with KAPO and special Guests!
Saturday, December 16, 7:30pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Dynamic duo, KA/PO–Karen Ashbrook & Paul Oorts, are joined by Grammy-nominated fiddler Andrea Hoag and the extraordinary voice of Eileen Estes for a delightful evening performance. The sparkling strings of hammered dulcimer, cittern, and harp guitar blend with rich harmonies and driving melodies on fiddle and accordion. The program will include toe-tapping dance tunes and haunting vocals of seasonal ballads and meditative airs from the shores of the many Celtic nations.
Admission is $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members, $15 students, paid by cash or check, taken at the door .
Two Great Concerts in March! Big Celtic Weekend
Nuala Kennedy with Eaman O’Leary
Friday, March 3, 2023 at 8pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Long time friends and musical collaborators, Nuala Kennedy and Eamon O’ Leary have toured together widely, both in duo and as part of The Alt, alongside celebrated Irish guitarist John Doyle. Both are internationally recognized members of the traditional music community, noted for their instrumental skills and diverse repertoire of traditional and contemporary song. Both are songwriters, who love and research traditional Irish/Scottish songs. With an engaging stage presence and understated virtuosity, they present a timeless selection of songs and instrumentals. Nuala and Eamon offer a memorable concert experience, as their songs range from the ancient Irish tradition to reflections on the present day.
…lyrically fresh, harmonically rich and presented with magnificent ease. The Irish Times
Inspired song selection and thoughtful arrangements reveal the strong chemistry these top musicians share. The Irish Echo
Nuala – flutes, whistles, vocals www.nualakennedy.com
Traditional singer, flute player, songwriter and session musician Nuala Kennedy grew up playing music in Dundalk, Ireland and later moved to Edinburgh, Scotland. The combination of the best of two cultures, Scotland and Ireland, is what has made Nuala the artist she is today. She has toured and recorded with diverse artists including experimental folk composer Oliver Schroer (nominated for Canada’s National East Coast Music Award) and Kentucky’s Will Oldham (an album which received 5 stars in Mojo Magazine).Nuala released her third solo record ‘Noble Stranger’ (Compass Records) in 2012 to critical acclaim. The Nuala Kennedy Band was nominated in the 2013 BBC Alba Scottish Traditional Folk Awards.
She is not only an exceptional interpreter of the tradition; her own music glistens with freshness. The Irish Times
Eamon – guitar, bouzouki, vocals
Originally from Dublin, Eamon has lived in New York City for the last twenty years, touring extensively throughout North America and Europe. Recent work includes a recording of traditional songs, The Murphy Beds, with Jefferson Hamer. He has also teamed up with old friends John Doyle and Nuala Kennedy to form The Alt, with a self-titled debut album released in November 2014. Eamon is a highly respected accompanist, a beautifully talented singer-songwriter and interpreter of traditional Irish song. Eamon’s songwriting can be heard on the albums ‘All Souls’ and ‘Old Clump’.
…beautiful, crystalline songs. Huffington Post
Advance tickets are $22 adults, $20 seniors and $15 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $15 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets, by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Kevin Henderson and Neil Pearlman
Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 430pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Uniting two stand out voices in Scottish music today, the fiddle and piano duo of Kevin Henderson and Neil Pearlman is a transatlantic collaboration that has set stages alight from Scotland to California. Each known for his high-energy, joyful and fresh approach to the tradition, their combined sound is fiery yet precise; moving from heart-wrenching airs to sparkling reels in the blink on an eye. The duo’s debut album Burden Lake features original tunes from both Henderson and Pearlman in conversation with traditional Shetland melodies. Launched in January of 2020 at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow, the album has been lauded as “cold pressed perfection” by folkworld.eu, received 5 stars in The Scotsman, and Fatea Magazine raves that “the sheer virtuosity of the musicianship is breathtaking.”
Kevin Henderson is a fiddler who draws on the rich fiddle music tradition of his native Shetland and his experience with leading bands including Boys of the Lough, Fiddlers Bid, Session A9 and Nordic Fiddlers Bloc to create an expressive and adventurously individual musical style.
“Kevin Henderson’s fiddle playing is all effortless grace and skill”, Kit Bailey – BBC2 Folk & Acoustic
Neil Pearlman is recognized throughout the Celtic music world and beyond for his distinctive approach to the piano. He has worked with many of the world’s top folk music artists and is in demand internationally as a collaborator, session musician and educator. Neil also hosts the podcast TradCafe which features his conversations and collaborations with influential artists from a wide variety of music traditions.
“A tremendous pianist”, Bruce MacGregor — BBC Radio Scotland, Travelling Folk
Advance tickets are $22 adults, $20 seniors and $15 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $15 children/students.
Afternoon Workshop on Shetland style Fiddle and Repertoire with Neil and Kevin 1:30-3:30pm
Explore the intricacies of Shetland style fiddle in a workshop for fiddle, piano and mixed instruments. Location TBA.
$35 Workshop, $50 for both concert and workhop.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets, by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
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2021-22 Concerts
English Dance Music with Paul Oorts and Dave Wiesler
Friday, April 29. 2022 at 8pm
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Join us for a concert with these two consummate musicians who are part of 3 popular dance bands together and are favorite accompanists many years at our Fiddle Summit. Paul Oorts, is a native of Belgium, and is adept on many things with strings including mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar and bass, and also plays musette accordion. Dave Wiesler is well known for his prowess on the piano, and his brilliant compositions of dance music for English, contra and waltz forms. Together, they will give a concert sure to satisfy our most discerning audiences.
Paul Oorts a native of Belgium, is adept at musette accordion and many things with strings. His instrumental versatility and knowledge of many different styles of music have made Paul the accompanist of choice for many hammered dulcimer players and a valued member of several dance ensembles. He plays English and contra dance music with Goldcrest and Cabaret Sauvignon, and traditional French music with Ensemble Tympanon. As a member of the Rigatoni Brothers he researches and performs Italian-American mandolin in trio music.
Dave Wiesler has built a national reputation for his rhythmic and innovative piano playing. At home in a huge range of styles, Dave plays for concerts and dances of many sorts: contra, swing, vintage, couple dance, English and Scottish country dance, Viennese waltz. He has played at festivals and dance camps across the country as well as in Canada, Scotland, and England. Dave has played on over a dozen recordings, many featuring tunes and songs he wrote, and he is also a capable guitarist and singer. Some of his other bands include Laura and the Lava Lamps, Cabaret Sauvignon, The Avant Gardeners, The Gigmeisters, Green Light Karma, and Thistle House.
Concert admission is $20 adults, $18 seniors, $15 SMaD members, and $10 students. Vax and Mask required! For More Information call (304) 263-2531 or email upperpotomac@gmail.com.
2021-22 Concerts online!
Spring Dulcimer 2022 Airs March 25 and March 26
Click on the link to view the concerts.
Fiddle Retreat 2022
Pipers Weekend 2022
Fiddle Retreat 2021
Pipers Weekend 2021
Spring Dulcimer Weekend 2021
2019-2020 Concert Season
Cape Breton Pipers: Barry Shears & the Shepherdstown Piping Collective
Saturday, August 24. 2019 at 8pm
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Barry Shears, born in Glace Bay, Cape Breton, NS, in 1956, is an acknowledged expert on the history of traditional piping in Nova Scotia and its intrinsic connection to the Gaelic language, music and culture. He comes from a musical family which includes 3 piping brothers. His first lessons in piping were from Angus MacIntyre, whose family came to Cape Breton in 1826, were descended from Duncan MacIntyre, MacDonald of Clanranald’s 1750s family piper.
An accomplished musician, Barry has performed at concerts and festivals throughout North America, as well as in Scotland and Europe, a highlight of which was a live to air broadcast on Radio France where, along with other well known CB musicians – the late John Morris Rankin of the Rankin family, the late violinist Jerry Holland and multi-instrumentalist David MacIsaac, the unique, uplifting and wonderful sound of Cape Breton music was introduced to a wide European audience in 1990.
In 1981 Barry performed with Stan Rogers and John Allan Cameron in a series of concerts in both Nova Scotia and Scotland. His own CD, ‘A Cape Breton Piper’ is his tribute to this traditional, Gaelic- based piping style and has been very well received, not only by lovers of bagpipe music but to fans of all forms of Celtic music. Barry is also a composer of pipe tunes and, along with winning third prize in a world-wide piping composition contest sponsored by the famous Highland single malt scotch producer Grant’s Distillery on its 100th anniversary, his original compositions and arrangements have appeared in books and recordings of other Celtic musicians. In addition, Barry has played the role of a piper in the television movie “Baby” with Farrah Fawcett, Keith Carradine, and Jean Stapleton; performed and arranged the bagpipe music for the critically acclaimed Canadian movie ‘Margaret’s Museum’ starring Helena Bonham Carter and Clive Russell.
Originally a competitive piper, Barry has won the Champion Supreme trophy for Professional piping in Nova Scotia 6 times and holds the Pipe Major Certificate from the Canadian Armed Forces (Reserve), (1980) as well as senior piping and teaching certificates from the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. In late 1978 he moved to Scotland to take lessons in piobaireachd from Captain Andrew Pitkeathly, The Army School of Piping, Edinburgh Castle.
The Shepherdstown Piping Collective combines the talents of Shepherdstown piper, Robert Mitchell with piper, Sean Reidy, percussionist Anna Oyler and multi-instrumentalist, Nicholas Blanton. Known for an ecelectic repertoire of piping melodies and subtle harmonies, their spirited arrangements will set the mood for the concert.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets, by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
The Reel Sisters
Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 4pm
St. Peters Lutheran Church
A reel, for those not in the know, is not just for fishing or films. It is also a lively Scottish or Irish dance. And, though The Reel Sisters are not real sisters, they are good friends who have grown closer through their love for traditional Scottish and Irish tunes.
Rosalind Buda plays the Scottish smallpipes, a smaller and quieter cousin to the bagpipes. Kelly Brzozowski plays the Scottish harp. Both Buda and Brzozowski have classical training as well as experience playing traditional folk music. And, while they may not be blood relatives, The Reel Sisters share an easy, familial camaraderie that makes their concerts extra enjoyable.
Rosalind Buda holds a BMUS from the University of Iowa and a MM from New England Conservatory in Bassoon Performance. She has taught and performed throughout the US and Europe. She teaches and performs classical chamber and orchestral music and Celtic music in her in her home of Asheville, NC and throughout Western North Carolina. Keeping to the mountain tradition, Rosalind plays banjo for fun and enjoys contra dance.
Kelly Brzozowski holds a BMUS and a Masters Diploma in Harp Performance and Musicology from the University of North Wales. She has taught and performed throughout Europe and the US. Kelly lives in Atlanta where she maintains a large teaching studio and performs both classical and Celtic music. When she is not performing or teaching, she is homeschooling her son. You will often find them designing and conducting experiments.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets, by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Fiachre and Sophie with Andre Marchand
Sunday, October 6, 2019 at 4pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Sophie, Fiachra & André are a group of “musiciens sans frontières who refuse to let the Atlantic sunder their love of their own and one another’s Irish and Québecois musical traditions”.
Comprising of Irish uilleann piper Fiachra O’Regan, Québec fiddler/singer Sophie Lavoie, and guitarist André Marchand, the trio take traditional Irish and Québécois traditional music, blended with Lavoie’s “lithe and masterful” compositions. Their choice of songs will “captivate the most casual listener”
Sophie Lavoie is a fiddler, pianist, singer and composer from Lac-St-Jean in Québec. She has played in various Quebecois bands including L’attisée and Tu m’en diras tant. Since 2008, she has been touring with Irish piper Fiachra O’Regan. “One of the rising stars of Québécois music” (fRoots Magazine), Sophie has recently been awarded a scholarship for a Masters in ethnomusicology at University of Montreal. Her research involves the fiddle style and repertoire of her native region, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
Fiachra O‘Regan, from Connemara, on the West Coast of Ireland, plays Irish music on the Uilleann Pipes, tenor banjo, and whistle, He is a senior All Ireland Champion on both these intruments. Fiachra has performed throughout the world, touring in his own group as well as with many other artists and groups. He is also sought after as a teacher in private lessons and at festivals.
The duo Sophie & Fiachra has recorded three albums: Sophie & Fiachra (2010), Rewind (2014) and Un Canadien errant (2016), the latter was nominated for Best album of the year at both ADISQ and Canadian Folk Music Award in 2016.
A figurehead in the Quebec Trad scene, André Marchand’s career is marked by artistic projects that have marked the history of traditional music over the last 40 years. Guitarist, singer and composer, he started as co-founder of La Bottine Souriante. From 1976 to 1990, he toured Quebec, Acadia, Canada, the United States and several European countries and participated in the recording of the first six records of La Bottine.
From 1990 to 2009, he became sound engineer and director. He contributed to the birth of nearly 200 projects, giving voice to several emerging artists and other well-known properties, actively contributing to the emergence of the environment.
A singer with a deep voice, warm and well posed, André is a character endearing to the quick wit and the overflowing humor. His unique style of guitar accompaniment, all in nuance and finesse, influences several generations of guitarists evolving today in the Trad Québécois milieu.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students. Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets, by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Genticorum
Saturday, November 16. 2019 at 8pm (concert) Workshop 3-5pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Over the past 18 years the trad Quebec group Genticorum has become a fixture on the international world, trad, folk and Celtic music circuit. The band’s six albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Europe, assuring the band a brilliant future. Known for its energy and its stage presence, Genticorum has given more than a 1000 concerts in more than 15 countries.
Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute and accordion work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence makes them a supreme crowd pleaser.
Pascal Gemme is a leading light in Quebec’s traditional music scene.Known as much for his original compositions as his fine interpretation of traditional tunes, Pascal is the fiddler, singer and arranger of the band, Genticorum, whose CDs have met with critical acclaim in several countries. From a young age, the fiddle music and songs of his native province have captivated him. After graduating with a degree in composition and band arrangements at Montreal’s St Laurent College, he immersed himself in the traditional music around him, playing, collecting and recording music found all over Quebec. Pascal has developed a vast knowledge and is a leading exponent of the music.
Yann Falquet is a very active and creative acoustic guitar player on the Québécois music scene. He has explored many styles of music and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz. Since then, he has developed a personal guitar style for Québec folk music, inspired by the playing of the accompanists of different cultures (Brittany, Scandinavia, Ireland, North America). His involvement in the province’s traditional music scene has brought Yann to perform on numerous recordings, and to tour regularly throughout Canada, the U.S., Europe and Australia with Genticorum but also with JUNO award-winning Celtic and world group The McDades, the Jean-François Bélanger Trio and with cellist Natalie Haas.
Nicholas Williams has developed a reputation as a versatile and sought-after musician in the traditional music scenes of Québec and New England. His rhythmic yet nuanced style of flute playing draws from Irish and Scottish traditions, as well as from his studies of classical North Indian music. After completing a BFA in world music and composition at York University, Nicholas moved to Québec in 2000, where he has enjoyed exploring the common ground of his own diverse musical experiences with the rich Québécois musical tradition. Also an accomplished accordion and piano player, he has been a member of the band Crowfoot since 2005, plays with fiddler Laura Risk, and in the Alex Kehler & Nicholas Williams duo.
The trio will teach a workshop for musicians from 3-5pm on French Canadian fiddle and repertoire. The workshop costs $25, preregistration is advised as space is limited to 12 students.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets , by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Traditional Music from Denmark with Gangspil
Friday, November 29 at 8PM
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Gangspil, (Sonnich Lydom (accordion, harmonica),Kristian Bugge(fiddle) and Vidar Skrede (guitar) will take you on an entertaining and variated journey through the traditions of Danish folk music. These lively musicians performs old dance tunes and songs from every corner of their Scandinavian home country. From rural islands like Læsø to the metropol Copenhagen, including a few of their own compositions. Expect everything from wild polkas and jigs to lyrical waltzes, fiery reels and happy hopsas, plus the exotic “Sønderhoning” dance tunes from the famous Island of Fanø, and long forgotten songs from all over the country. An unforgettable live experience spiced up with humor and stories from their many years on the road. They perform and have performed with some of the most exciting and well-know musicians from the Danish and Nordic folk scene. In 2016 after releasing their first album, Gangspil received the”Tradition Award” at the Danish Music Awards (Danish Grammy.)
Sonnich Lydom (accordion, harmonica, vocal) is a master of Irish, French–‐Canadian, and especially Danish traditional tunes. During the last 25 years he’s been leading the revival for diatonic accordion and harmonica in the Danish folk music. Sonnich holds a special place in his heart for the music from the Western Island of Fanø, where his family is deeply rooted. He is best know from his work with the ULC trio and later quintet (adding jazz pianist Peter Rosendal and bassist Mads Vinding). ULC recieved the Danish Music Award (Danish “Grammy”) in the category “Folk Album of the year” in 2001 and 2004.
Kristian Bugge (fiddle) has specialized in the strong Danish folk music traditions. He is very active on the Danish and Scandinavian folk music scene as well as in the rest of Europe and North America, both as a musician and teacher. His debut CD was awarded “Danish debut of the year”, and “Danish Folk Instrumentalist of the year” at the Danish Music Awards Folk 2006 (Danish “Grammy”). At the same occasion in 2012, Kristian recieved the prize as ”Danish Folk Artist of the Year!” In 2016 Kristian was once more awarded “Danish Folk Instrumentalist of the Year”.
Vidar Skrede (guitar) (from Haugesund, Norway) is a freelance Nordic folk musician on guitar, harding fiddle, fiddle and Greek bouzouki. He has a background in the traditional music from Rogaland (South West of Norway), and has a master degree in Nordic folk music at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm. Vidar has appeared on national television in Norway and Iceland, and has been heard on radio across the Nordic countries and throughout the USA. Vidar has released several CD’s which received many awards and great acclaim in his native Norway. Vidar is a leading musician on the Nordic folk music scene and a popular tune writer – his compositions are played and recorded by bands like Fiddlers’ Bid and Blazing Fiddles besides with his own projects.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets , by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Italian Holiday Concert with Rosa Tatuata
Sunday, December 22, 4PM
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
Love of Sicilian and Southern Italian roots music drives Rosa Tatuata to passionately interpret the traditions and melodies of their ancestors.
For this concert, Michela Musolino and the band bring you seasonal favorites of Sicily. “These aren’t the familiar Christmas songs one would expect to hear, simply being sung in Italian. These ancient carols are exclusively Sicilian, and pre-date many common traditions. Yet somehow they convey the universal spirit of the season without the overt references to fireplaces, reindeers, wreaths, and snow!”, Musolino quipped.
She continued, “Our name, Rosa Tatuata, comes from Tennessee Williams’ beloved play about the happy, raucous collision of immigrant and American cultures in the 1950’s. In performance, we relate that incredible, exciting, commingling to the audience through song and dance. We think our band’s name is quite apropos!”
Research into traditional instruments fuels their compelling presentation. Expect to hear the tammburro (Sicilian frame drum), marranzanu (jaw harp), brogna ( conch shell), friscalettu (reed flute) and zampogna (Italian bagpipes)— rare sounds indeed! The enchanting mix of ballads and dance tunes will take your imagination to sunbathed Southern Italy and the clear, crystal-blue waters surrounding Sicily.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Papaer Tickets , by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Fiddle Summit Showcase
Friday, January 3, 8pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
This annual concert presents some of the finest fiddlers from a variety of traditions, including French Canadian, English, Scottish, Irish, New England, and Appalachian into a showcase concert with some extraordinary accompaniment. Sean Heely is a national Scottish Fiddle champions whose fiery renditions of Scottish and Irish fiddle music are in great demand, Elke Baker, too is also renowned for her Scottish chops, as well as being a popular dance musician for English, Scottish and contra dances. French Canadian fiddler, Lisa Ornstein is the dynamic fiddler who drives the music of Le Bruit Court dans le Ville. David Kaynor has been a mainstay of the New England contra dance fiddling for over 40 years, and is also know for his lovely playing of Scandinavian fiddle. Rebecca Weiss is a fantastic young fiddler whose dynamic playing drives the band Tea and Honey. They will all be joined by one of the finest dance pianists, in the country Dave Wiesler, who drives all sorts of dance ensembles with his accompaniment. Old-time fiddler, Erynn Marshall has been steeped in the traditional music of West Virginia, studying with old master Melvin Wine, and will be joined by her husband Carl Jones on guitar and banjo and last, but not least, master hammered dulcimer player and fiddler, Ken Kolodner will be with us again to round out the show. Co-sponsored with Upper Potomac Fiddle Retreat. Jam session to follow.Visit the web page to get more information to sign up for classes. Early bird discount before Dec. 1!
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Tickets available from Brown Paper Tickets here. For more information call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net.
Squeeze the Bag!
Saturday, January 18, 8pm
Shepherd University, Reynolds Hall
The bellows-blown bagpipe is a quieter, more parlor-oriented cousin to the great highland bagpipes most folks are familiar with. You’ll see pipes that are far more likely to be played with flutes, guitars, mandolins, bouzoukis, drums and other instruments in a session-like atmosphere for concerts or dances in smaller, more intimate settings. Four kinds of bagpipes will be featured: the Scottish smallpipe, the quieter cousin of the great highland pipes, the Irish uilleann (or Union) pipes, Northumbrian smallpipes and the Border pipes which are played in the border region between Scotland and England.
The concert is divided into three sections… We’ll open with the tiny Northumbrian pipes of England with Dick Hensold , then we’ll move to Irish section of the program with an outstanding uilleann piper and step dancer, Brian Bigley whose lovely playing and lively dancing have won him a national reputation. John Skelton is one of the foremost authorities on the Irish flute and has toured with the House Band and the Windbags, his great playing and his wonderful sense of humor make him one of our most popular performers. The Scottish section of the concert will feature piper, Rosalind Buda, a professional bassonist, and also renowned performer on highland, border and smallpipes, as well as Iain MacHarg, a versatile piper who grew up steeped in piping from French, Scottish and Irish traditions who runs the Vermont Institute for the Celtic Arts. The will be joined by Scottish fiddle champion Sean Heely along with Scottish piper, Tracy Jenkins. It will all be tied together by our host piper, Bob Mitchell and more, in a set of music from the highlands and border regions of Scotland and Cape Breton on both Scottish smallpipes and Border pipes.
The concert will take place at Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall.
Co-sponsored with the Upper Potomac Pipers Weekend. Classes available in many kinds of bellows blown bagpipes, flute, whistle and mixed-instruments. More information is on the web page.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Tickets from Brown Paper Tickets available here. For more information call the Upper Potomac office at 304.263.2531 or email updf@earthlink.net. Come on out and watch these pipers Squeeze the Bag..
Master and Apprentice: Legendary Irish Fiddler, Brendan Mulvihill with Emily Martin
Saturday, February 15 at 8pm
St. Peters Lutheran Church
Coming together in concert and to lead a traditional Irish session are Brendan Mulvihill, master and legendary Irish Traditional fiddler and his apprentice, Emily Martin, a talented musician who also comes from a family tradition of traditional music. Brendan Mulvihill and his band, the Irish Tradition, are credited for establishing traditional Irish music as a integral part of the Washington D.C. and Baltimore areas musical fabric. Also based in the Washington DC region, Emily Martin, of The Martin Family Band, carries on the tradition of playing, teaching and performing. Her styles include Old Time Appalachian traditional music and Irish music on the mandolin, mountain dulcimer, tenor banjo and voice. Emily started an apprenticeship with Brendan in July 2018. Learning tunes, style and variations from Brendan, Emily also skillfully and beautifully compliments Brendan’s unmatched style.
Brendan’s strong tone, remarkable bow work and unsurpassed musicianship come from a deep love of the music and from a surprising influence. Though inspired by many traditional Irish musicians, Brendan also developed a passion for classical music. This classical influence can be heard most clearly perhaps in his playing of the baroque music of Turlough OCarolan (Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin). The final distinctive result of Brendan’s many influences was best summed up by a quote printed by the Washington Irish Folk Festival, “Its often said that the difference between a fiddle and a violin lies not in the instrument but in the player. If that’s the case, then Brendan is not the player one should look to when trying to draw such distinctions. Here is a man whose heritage, background and training epitomize that of the fiddler, but whose full, firm tone, exquisite bow work and subtle, sensitive musicianship bear all the hallmarks of the classical violinist.”
Micheál Ó Súilleabháin referred to Brendan as “a rare genius.” Inducted into the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Mid-Atlantic Region Hall of Fame in 2008, Brendan Mulvihill has deep Irish roots. Brendan’s Grandmother Bridgid was a fiddler and her brothers were all musicians as well. Brendan’s father, the late National Heritage Fellow, Martin Mulvihill of County Limerick, Ireland, was a renowned fiddle player and one of the most highly respected Irish music teachers in America. Brendan’s music, however, reflects decades of his own travels and dedication to gathering tunes from the great Irish traditional masters. Brendan’s playing shows respect, excitement, and love of the music. His style and variations give the music dimensions and depth that is surprising from a solo instrument; paired with Emily, the music is mesmerizing.
An Irish Seisun, led by the performers, follows the concert. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and join in the fun.
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
Advance tickets will be available online from Brown Paper Tickets , by mail (send a check to SMaD, PO Box1293, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 with your order), or for full price at the door.
Celebration of Strings: Our annual Hammered Dulcimer Showcase
Friday, March 21, 8 pm
Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church
The hammered dulcimer is alive and well in Shepherdstown, West Virginia; not only does the area boast two of the instrument’s most respected builders and designers, but also is home to the Upper Potomac Music Weekends, where hammered dulcimer players, fiddlers and other musicians share tunes and techniques and explore a range of musical styles over three days of workshops, concerts and jam sessions on Shepherd University’s campus and the surrounding historic buildings several times each year. The concert this year features special guests, Belgian-born multi-instrumentalist Paul Oorts and his wife, hammered dulcimer player Karen Ashbrook who play inspiring arrangements of Celtic and continental pieces, as well as music to soothe the soul, which Karen specializes in her work in area hospitals. Representing our dulcimer staff will be Colin Beasley, Mark Wade and Ruth Smith playing a range of repertoire from Classical to Cuban and from Celtic to Appalachian. Come and be amazed!
Advance tickets are $20 adults, $18 seniors and $15 members and $10 students. At the door: $25 adults, $22 seniors, $20 members and $10 children/students.
For more information call Joanie at (304) 263-2531 or email updf@earthlink.net.
Shepherdstown Music and Dance 