Floating Bridge Music Camps
2010 Floating Bridge Music Camps
July 25–30: Hotel CoolidgeWhite River Junction, Vermont September 17-19: Pasquaney Lodge,
Newfound Lake, New Hampshire
July 25–30: Hotel Coolidge, White River Junction, Vermont
Learn the music of Cape Breton, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Quebec, and France
$880 single / $750 double / $710 triple / $700 quad
Includes meals and lodging, instruction and activities (5 nights, 15 meals)
Classes run Monday-Thursday
Wednesday night staff concert (open to the public)
Thursday evening camp concert
To Register:
Information on classes:
Course offerings (by teacher)
KIMBERLEY FRASER
Intro to Cape Breton Fiddle
In this class we will learn tunes common in the Cape Breton repertoire. We'll look at the elements that characterize this style of fiddling -bowing, grace notes, etc and listen to several prominent Cape Breton players to identify these characteristics in their playing. Tunes will be taught by ear so please bring a recording device.
Intermediate/Advanced Cape Breton fiddle
This class is will be structured similar to the intro class, the difference being the rate at which students learn. More advanced bowing and embellishments will be covered. Tunes will be taught by ear so please bring a recording device.
Building Cape Breton tune melodies
In this class we will learn how Cape Breton medleys are constructed and discuss differences between building medleys for solos and for dances. Emphasis will be placed on repertoire. Key changes and tempo changes will be addressed. We'll build a march/strathspey/reel set and jig and reel sets for group dancing. Recommended for Intermediate and Advanced players. Tunes will be taught by ear so please bring a recording device
NICOLE RABTA
Beginning Irish flute and whistle
Learn the basics of Irish flute and whistle in a beginning group class. We will explore various tune types and learn how to arrange tunes into ‘sets.’ Learn how to play basic ornamentation and come up with your own variations on traditional dance tunes. Complete beginners are welcome! Tunes will be taught by ear, so please bring a recording device.
Intermediate to advanced Irish flute and whistle
Expand your techniques on Irish flute and whistle in an intermediate to advanced group class. We will build repertoire, exploring a variety of tune types from different Celtic regions, such as Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and French Canada. We will learn to embellish tunes with ornamentation techniques, variations and harmonies. Tunes will be taught by ear, so please bring a recording device.
Celtic regional styles
Learn Celtic tunes from a variety of regional styles in a group tune-learning class for all melody instruments. Learn to play tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Galicia and French Canada while also exploring the styles and techniques from those regions. Tunes will be taught by ear, so please bring a recording device.
JEREMIAH MCLANE
Quebecois and French dance tunes
We’ll learn dance tunes from Quebec (reels, jigs and waltzes), Brittany (andros, gavottes, and plinns) and Central France (mazurkas, bourrees and schottishes). In addition to lots of playing time we’ll also discuss the origins of Quebecois & French dance tunes, differences in regional styles, ideas for medleys and arrangements, melodic variations, options for harmonies, ornamentation and chordal accompaniment. Tunes will be taught by ear so please bring a recording device.
Celtic accompaniment
This class is for all levels and instruments and will focus on finding chords for different types of Celtic tunes. This class will teach you how to recognize specific “tune families” that have distinctive chord patters associated with them. We will also look contemporary trends in Celtic music and attempt to answer the age old question: can accompaniment justify itself?
Improvisation
We will focus on improvisation in different musical contexts: we’ll learn certain melodies by ear and use them as a springboard for exploring melodic improvisation. We’ll practice improvising over standard chord progressions, learning how to use a harmonic approach to improvising. We’ll also learn about the practice of improvisation in other musical cultures, and experiment with systems of modal improvisation. The goal of this class is to make improvisation accessible to those who are unfamiliar with it, and to help those who have experience improvising go beyond their comfort zone.
OWEN MARSHALL
Beginning DADGAD Guitar
In this introduction to DADGAD tuning, we learn new chord shapes, picking techniques and right hand rhythms. We will discuss different rhythms for jigs and reels that will be new to most guitar players that have played in standard EADGBE guitar tuning. As the week progresses, will take a look into moving chord shapes and chord substitutions, while increasing your knowledge of the instrument.
Advanced DADGAD Guitar
Over the course of this class we will talk about how to get the most out of your guitar. Strengthen your knowledge of the fret board while building an array of right hand rhythmic possibilities. Using polyrhythms and syncopation we will explore was to be an invaluable addition to any musical setting. By the end of the week we will have learned how to accompany tunes on the fly and ways give the music you play a new life.
Floating Bridge Music Camp
September 17-19, 2010
Rodney Miller (fiddle), David Surette (guitar, mandolin), Susie Burke (vocals, beg. guitar) and Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano) Contact: 802-765-9904 or jeremiah@sover.net
The staff:
Rodney Miller was designated a "Master Fiddler" in 1983 by the National Endowment for the Arts. He is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England style fiddling, a uniquely American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. Over the past 35 years, he has toured the U.S., British Isles, Australia and Denmark, performed and taught at hundreds of music and dance festivals, and recorded over ten fiddle albums.
One of New England's finest celtic guitarists, David Surette is equally at home on the mandolin and bouzouki. He is head of the folk department at the Concord, N.H. Community Music School and has also taught at the Augusta Heritage Festival, The Swannanoa Gathering (NC) and Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddle School in Cailfornnia.
Jeremiah McLane has taught and performed throughout the United States and Europe, and been on staff at numerous music programs throughout the country including The Augusta Heritage Arts Center, The Swananoah Gathering, Ashokan Fiddle & Dance, The John C. Campbell Folk School, and Centrum’s American Festival of Fiddle Tunes. Jeremiah will teach accordion and piano players the both melody and accompaniment, and while sheet music will be available, the melodies will be taught by ear.
The location:
Pasquaney Lodge is on the shore of Newfound Lake, between Bristol and Plymouth New Hampshire. The facility includes three main buildings, a boat house, tennis courts, a sauna, a dock, canoes, and a wonderful porch for relaxing and jamming.
The schedule:
Friday evening after dinner there will be a short orientation meeting, followed by a staff concert, and then jam sessions led by staff members. Saturday morning workshops will be separated by instrument, and Saturday afternoon workshops will be geared toward a particular style or repertoire and you can go to whatever workshop you’re interested in. After dinner on Saturday there will be the camp cabaret which will be a chance for campers to perform. Sunday morning we’ll have a singing session with the entire camp followed by a final workshop. Camp ends after lunch. Meals include dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, breakfast and lunch on Saturday & Sunday.
The cost:
$250 per person includes five meals, housing and all instructional materials.
Reduced rates:
$225 per person includes meals, instruction, and dormitory-style housing or campsite.
$190 per person for day use only (meals and instruction)
Registration:
To register, send a check for $250 payable to Jeremiah McLane by August 30th to: Carol Delaney, 1130 Sanders Circle, Montpelier, VT 05602
