Cover: Each July and August, the NC mountains are home to the Swannanoa Gathering, held on the campus of Warren Wilson College, near Asheville. With the sweet sounds of fiddles, guitars, banjos and songs filling the air, the only thing missing is you!
27th
Dear Friends, Fall 2017
Welcome to this year’s edition guitarist Tim May, blues historian Rev. Robert of our newsletter, the Post- Jones and singer/storyteller Sheila Kay Adams. card from Swannanoa. This Radio host Matt Watroba traced the history of summer Warren Wilson College American roots music and Melissa Hyman offered welcomed a new president, Dr. a Dinosaurs-themed program for children during Lynn Morton, who was on hand Traditional Song, Celtic, and Old-Time Weeks. for several of our Orientation sessions and concerts throughout Celtic Week was once again our the summer. We also debuted largest single program, welcoming President Lynn Morton our newly-renovated Kittredge new staffer Katie McNally on Theatre, with new seats, carpeting, sound baf- Scottish fiddle and the return of fling and other impovements, funded through the Irish fiddlerJohn Carty. Siobhan generous contributions of the Kaman Family Butler taught sean nós dance, Foundation, the charitable organization of one of joining a powerhouse fiddle lineup our long-time attendees, Bill Kaman. This spurred a that included Martin Hayes, capital campaign for the next phase of renovations Liz Carroll, Colin Farrell, Dancing on Air... for Kittredge, called “Take Your Seat,” about which Laura Risk, Andrew Finn Magill, you can find out more by contacting our office. Kimberley Fraser and Rose Flanagan, vocalist Cathy Jordan and guitarist Alan Murray. We Our spring Celtic Series, a part of the Mainstage also welcomed back guitarist/singer John Doyle, Concerts at Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre, mandolinist Marla Fibish, accordion master John presents some of the world’s finest Celtic artists, and Whelan, singer and flute player Nuala Kennedy, last year featured concerts by Solas, The Máirtín percussionist Matthew Olwell, Scottish singer Ed O’Connor Trio, Liz Carroll, John Doyle, & Billy Miller, guitarist Eamon O’Leary, harpers Billy McComiskey and Tannahill Weavers. See the Jackson and Gráinne Hambly, pipes and whistle “P.S.” section below for details on next spring’s players Kathleen Conneely, Kieran O’Hare and Celtic Series. Cillian Vallely, Lúnasa flute player Kevin Craw- ford, multi-instrumentalist Robin Bullock, and Irish Our vocal program, Traditional singer Len Graham. John Skelton again served as Song Week, kicked things off the Celtic Week Host. with the return of Reggie Harris teaching songs of social justice. Old-Time Music & Dance Week was once again We also got a hefty dose of our second largest program, and featured the debut Broadway from the Phantom of of new coordinator Erynn Marshall. She assembled the Opera’s Ciarán Sheehan the usual sterling staff, consisting of James Leva, and Karl Scully of the Four Earl White, Kirk Sutphin, Dan Gellert, Phil Irish Tenors. They were joined Jamison, Kari Sickenberger, Meredith McIn- by Nashville’s Brian & Nicole tosh, Cary Fridley, John Hollandsworth, Carl Christianson, Thistle & Shamrock host Fiona Jones, Joe Newberry, Ritchie, Irish ballad singer Len Graham, coordina- Susie Goehring, John tor Julee Glaub Weems, Dervish vocalist Cathy Herrmann, Ellie Grace, Jordan, gospel singer Kathy Bullock, early country Greg & Jere Canote, & honky-tonk specialist Mark Weems, multi-tal- Kenny Jackson, Gordy ented Appalachian musician Josh Goforth, Nashville Hinners, Rafe Stefa-
The Canucklehead Brothers nini, Rodney Sutton, Ben Nelson, folklorist and field Mandolins. Coordinator shape-note singer Ron Pen and dulcimer ace Don Julia Weatherford’s all-star Pedi. New this year was guitarist Dave Keenan and staff included jazz violin great fiddler Clelia Stefanini. This year’s Guest Master (and recent Asheville transplant) Artists were singer Alice Gerrard, fiddler Bruce Christian Howes, Beauso- Greene, Mick Kinney & sons, Ada & Jimmy leil’s Cajun master and National McCown and dancer Thomas Maupin, accompa- Heritage Award winner Michael nied by the irrepressible Daniel Rockwell. Doucet, klezmer fiddler Eden MacAdam-Somer, old-time New to Guitar Week this year fiddlers Kilby Spencer and Happy fiddlin’... were Della Mae guitarist Court- Emily Schaad, Irish fiddler Liz ney Hartman and fingerstylist Knowles, multi-stylist Alex Hargreaves, Scottish Jamie Stillway. We welcomed fiddlerLaura Risk, Paul Anastasio teaching Mexi- back slack-key master Patrick can fiddle, Quebecois fiddle playerPascal Gemme, Landeza and blues guitarist Mary innovative cellist Malcolm Parson, Laura Lengnick Flower, who joined renowned teaching beginners technique, bluegrass fiddlerMatt fingerstylists Clive Carroll and Combs, creativity evangelist Joe Craven, guitarist Peppino D’Agostino, with Pat Greg Ruby and bassist Kevin Kehrberg. Swannanoa wants YOU... Donohue, Mike Dowling, ukulele master Gerald Ross, coordinator Al Petteway, Mando & Banjo Week was a worthy partner to Scott Ainslie, Robin Bullock, Sean McGowan, Fiddle Week and added a powerhouse group of Greg Ruby, Josh Goforth, percussive guitarist fretted instrument players including legendary banjo Vicki Genfan, and clawhammer evangelist Steve innovator Tony Trischka and bluegrass masters Baughman. The week also featured demonstrations Alan Munde and Bill Evans. To teach clawham- from instrument repairman Randy Hughes and daily mer banjo, we recruited Old-Time Week veterans displays of the guitars of master luthiers Leonardo Paul Brown and Terri McMurray. The mandolin Buendia, Gerald Sheppard, John Slobod and staff featured a new staff member in bluesman Rich Michael Bashkin along with selected inventory DelGrosso and we welcomed back Bill Monroe- from Dream Guitars, a local shop specializing in stylist Mike Compton. They joined international high-end instruments. virtuosi Mike Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg, bluegrass greats Alan Bibey and John Reischman, Contemporary Folk Week jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg, and welcomed newcomers Tift the eclectic styles of Matt Flinner. Merritt, Joshua Davis and We were very pleased to welcome Camela Widad and veteran back guitarist David Surette, who staff members Janis Ian, Tom missed last year due to illness, while Paxton, Kathy Mattea, Don Ed Dodson taught guitar and led the Henry, Amy Speace, Ellis daily bluegrass jam. Legendary man- Paul, Jon Vezner, Cliff Eber- dolin builder Lynn Dudenbostel was hardt, Siobhan Quinn, and again on-hand to offer repair work Ray Chesna to the staff. We and bad puns. Pickin’ & Grinnin’ were also pleased to welcome Vance in a Trance back, after a too-long hiatus, Check out the “Coming Next Summer” section the irrepressible Vance Gilbert. Kim Richardson below for a sneak preview of the 2018 lineup. again acted as the Contemporary Folk Week Host.
Fiddle Week continued its pairing with Mando & Banjo Week, and the two programs combined jams and band sessions, and members of both staffs performed in the staff concerts over three nights. This year’s Luthier’s Exhibit featured violinmaker Joe Thrift, bowmaker Roger Treat, mandolin builder Dan Voight and the folks from North- Family News... Any of you with news of inter- Rachel Bettendorf, (Guitar); est to the Gathering community Ellie Morgan, Emily Cope, should send a copy to the Gath- Sophie Rubenson, Emily Lord ering office, and we’d be happy (Contemporary Folk); Luisa to publish it here... Some of you Bryson, Julia Bokulich, Kai may know that Trad. Song Week Bokulich, Beth Davis, Kendal Coordinator Julee Weems is Ward, Sam Stage, Megan battling Lyme disease. When Gordon, (Fiddle); Maxwell It’s Always Sunny word got around about it last Allard, Otto Allard, Trajan in Swannanoa... summer the Trad. Song attend- Wellington, Isaiah Gordon (Mando & Banjo). Key It’s all in the technique... ees raised $6000 to help with deposit donations to our Youth Scholarship fund her treatment... In June, when long-time staffer this year totaled $10,516. Our profound thanks to all Laura Risk completed her PhD at McGill University, of you who gave financially to help cultivate a love for she also received the Governor General’s Gold traditional music and dance in the next generation... Medal “conferred upon the most outstanding McGill Teachers please note that the Swannanoa Gathering graduate receiving a Doctoral degree in 2016-2017 offers teacher renewal certification hours for in any discipline.” Congrats!!... Old-time fiddler and any of our weeks. Contact your local school board Gathering staffer Rafe Stefanini has become para- for prior approval... Don’t forget to support your lyzed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Visit
The Swannanoa Gathering Traditional Song Week, July 1-7, is structured around what promotes a wide variety of tradi- we call an ‘open format’, tional singing styles. For next year, which allows students to Coordinator Julee Glaub Weems create their own curric- and husband Mark Weems have ulum and take as many invited Kingston Trio frontman classes as there are periods George Grove, Dervish vocalist Wanna dance? in the day. We require that Cathy Jordan, Karl Scully from students register for specific classes, but the Four Irish Tenors, gospel choir allow them to switch after the first day into another, leader Kathy Bullock, Irish singer The Gospel Sing... open class if they find they have made an inappropri- Len Graham, Fiona Ritchie, Master Music Maker ate choice. After this ‘settling-in’ period, we expect and host of NPR’s Thistle & Shamrock, multi-talented that students will remain in those classes, and we Appalachian musician Josh Goforth, seventh-gener- discourage dropping in and out of classes during ation Appalachian ballad singer Sheila Kay Adams, the week. This structure allows students consider- Nashville guitarist Tim May, innovative banjoist able flexibility, and is an essential element of our Tony Ellis, folk songwriter Joe Newberry, and program’s character and appeal. Many of our classes Sing Out! Radio founder Matt Watroba. There are may include musical notation or tablature, though in a number of additional staff to be hired, so watch general, we emphasize learning by ear. our website for updates.
Classes generally have a maximum of 15 students. Celtic Week, July 8-14, welcomes several new Some may have more or less than this figure due faces as well as a few we haven’t seen for a while. to the nature of the subject or the discretion of the New next summer are Scottish fiddlers Alasdair instructor, and limits for each class will be indicated White and Mari Black, storyteller Máirtín de in our catalog. Several of the 2017 workshops Cógáin, guitarist Owen Marshall, singer & man- filled up early last year and we expect that trend to dolinist Dave Curley and bodhran player Anna continue as more of our programs approach their Colliton. Back after a brief hiatus are fiddlerManus limits, and although our schedule of classes is not McGuire and accordionist Damien Connolly who currently complete, pre-registrations from this join whistle player Kathleen Conneely, fiddlers newsletter are strongly encouraged. While it Liz Carroll, Martin Hayes, Katie McNally, and doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get all the classes you Andrew Finn Magill, Irish guitarist and singer John want, pre-registration definitely gives you the best Doyle, Lúnasa’s Cillian Vallely and Kevin Craw- chance at doing so. Folks may register with a tuition ford, guitarist Eamon O’Leary, Irish deposit of $100 and may reserve housing without a singer and flute player Nuala Ken- deposit. The deadline for pre-registration is Feb. 9. nedy, Celtic Week Host John Skel- Pre-registrants will be sent a class schedule as soon as ton, Dervish vocalist Cathy Jordan, it is ready and given priority in class assignments. Full ballad singer Len Graham, harper/ payment is required by June 1 to guarantee a concertina player Gráinne Hambly, space. After that date, class reserva- piper Kieran O’Hare, harper Billy tions will be unconfirmed until we Jackson, sean nós dancer Siobhan receive the balance. If we are holding Butler, Scottish singer Ed Miller, fret wizard Robin Bullock and I have no idea how to a space for a student in a class that is play this thing... full, and their balance is unpaid after more. June 1, we may release that space to another student. Old-Time Music & Dance Week, July 15-21, is one of the Gathering’s original programs and its Late-night snack at the At present, we are completing our oldest. Coordinator Erynn Marshall begins her Jam tent... Mmmm... second year with a killer staff of old-time greats, including Eddie Bond, Carl Jones, Ben Nelson, Ron Pen, Ellie Grace, Don feature the guitars of master luthiers John Slobod Pedi, Carol Elizabeth Jones, (www.circaguitars.com), Michael Bashkin (www. Jared Boyd, Bob Carlin, Joe bashkinguitars.com) and others, as well as a selec- Decosimo, Karen Celia Heil, tion of amazing instruments from the inventory of Luke Richardson, Cliff Hale, Dream Guitars (www.dreamguitars.com) located Tricia Spencer, Howard Rains, in nearby Weaverville, NC. Kirk Sutphin, John Harrod, Sheila Kay Adams, John Hol- Fiddle Week, July 29-August 4, landsworth, Kevin Kehrberg will continue to explore a variety of fiddle styles and continue its integra- Fa la la ti da... and Master Music Makers Phil Jamison and Alice Gerrard. We tion with several features of Mando will continue our tradition of visits by special Guest & Banjo Week. Coordinator Julia Master Artists from the senior generation of local Weatherford is still recruiting a traditional performers throughout the week. Classes staff that currently includes blue- grass legend Byron Berline, the will include fiddle, clawhammer banjo, guitar, man- Just a fool for fiddlin’ dolin, bass, clogging, square dance, dance calling, versatile, beyond-classical fiddlers southern harmony singing, string band, shaped-note Darol Anger, Jeremy Kittel, Evan Price and John singing and more. Mailander, cajun master David Greely, Canadian fiddlerApril Verch, old-time fiddlersKilby Spen- cer and Kenny Jackson, gypsy jazz guitarist Greg Contemporary Folk Week, July 22-28, offers an Ruby, Irish fiddling greatLiz Knowles and Brazilian inspiring week of artist development for all acoustic choro fiddler Andrew Finn Magill, with Ethan performers. Classes include songwriting, perfor- Jodziewicz on bass and Nora Garver teaching mance, vocal coaching and more, taught by an out- beginners. We still have a few more positions to fill. standing lineup of seasoned professionals passionate about their art and equally passionate about inspiring Mando & Banjo Week, July 29-August 4, fea- others to develop their own unique gifts. New to the tures classes in bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, swing/ staff this year are singer/songwriters John Gorka, jazz, newgrass & more for both instruments as Nora Jane Struthers and Master Music Maker and well as a few classes in guitar accompaniment. The creative dynamo Joe Craven. We welcome back program continues to be integrated with Fiddle Grammy-winners Kathy Mattea, Tom Paxton, Week through common jams and Band Sessions and Jon Vezner, folk veterans Ellis Paul, Vance that encourage players in both programs to form Gilbert and Peter Mulvey, the irrepressible Cliff bands that will work up a few tunes throughout the Eberhardt, and vocal coaches Camela Widad and week. Bluegrass greats Alan Munde and Bill Evans Siobhan Quinn. We still have several more slots to head up the banjo players, and Old-time pickers Paul fill, so stay tuned. Brown and Terri McMurray complete the banjo staff. The dazzling Mike Marshall leads the mando- Guitar Week, July 22-28, offers classes in fin- lin staff, which also features bluegrass greats Emory gerstyle and flatpicking guitar in a wide variety of Lester, John Reischman and Alan Bibey, swing styles as well as ukulele. Coordinator Al Petteway mandolinist Don Stiernberg, classical mandolinist welcomes new staff, flatpickers Russ Barenberg Caterina Lichtenberg and guitarist Ed Dodson. and Tim May. They join fingerstylistsClive Carroll, New this year are Steve James, who brings his Jamie Stillway and Mike Dowling, blues players blues chops to the mandolin, choro & jazz mandolin- Toby Walker, David Jacobs-Strain and Scott ist Tim Connell and Mandolin for Dummies author Ainslie, gypsy jazz player Greg Ruby, Celtic guitarist Don Julin. The multi-talented David Surette also Robin Bullock and jazz guitarist Sean McGowan. returns to teach classes in Irish mandolin/tenor Returning to Guitar Week after a hiatus are finger- banjo and guitar. Next year we will again feature a stylists Bill Cooley, Adam Rafferty, Luthier’s Exhibit with several of the country’s best Celtic guitarist Tony McManus and builders in the world of man- percussive fingerstylist Preston dolin, violin and bowmaking. Reed. Patrick Landeza returns Lynn Dudenbostel will once to teach Hawaiian slack-key guitar again be onhand to offer repair and orchestrate the end-of-week services. We’ve still got a few luau. Guitar tech Randy Hughes more slots to fill, so watch our will offer maintenance tips, and this website for updates. year’s Luthier’s Exhibit will once again Silly Sangin’... Ta-Da!! P.S. • Currently scheduled Gathering-sponsored con- in a room with two adults, at least one of whom is certs for 2017 include the Celtic Series of Mainstage a registered student, at no charge. The accompany- Concerts featuring Socks in the Frying Pan on ing adult should provide bedding for the child and February 9, The Sharon Shannon Band on Febru- the second adult must agree to the arrangement, ary 24, Dervish on March 9, and the Alt on April otherwise it will be charged as a single room. 14. All shows will be in Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. For tickets, contact (828) 257-4530, or visit If you got this newsletter in the mail, you’re already
A classic case of ‘Beard Envy’... All photos by Arlin Geyer, www.aestheticendeavors.com 7:30-8:30 Breakfast 9:00-10:15 Class Session 1 10:15-10:45 Coffee break 10:45-12:00 Class Session 2 11:30-1:00 Lunch 1:00-2:00 Communal Gathering (announcements & special events) 2:15-3:30 Class Session 3 3:45-5:00 Class Session 4 5:00-6:30 Supper 6:30-7:30 Slow jams, Group singing, Tutorials etc. 7:30-11:00 Evening events (concerts, dances, open mikes, etc.) 11:00-? Jam Sessions Registration, fees, etc. If you would like us to send you our free catalog when they become available early next year, or have a friend to add to our mailing list, or want to go ahead and pre-register for next summer, fill out the form below and send it to us. While it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get all the classes you want, pre-registration definitely gives you the best chance at doing so. Until the catalog is published, you can also pre-register from the ‘Reg- ister’ page at our website. Pre-registrants will be sent a class schedule as soon as it is printed, before our bulk mailing, and given priority in class assignments. The deadline for pre-registration is Feb. 9. Tuition is $555 per week. The optional housing fee of $435 includes lodging in campus dormitories for six nights and 3 buffet-style meals a day in the college cafeteria. Some single rooms may be available for an additional $175. Non-students may accompany an enrolled student for the housing fee of $435 and an activities fee of $160. We no longer offer Saturday stayovers. A tuition deposit of $100 is required for student registration, with a $50 deposit required for non-students. Tuition for our Children’s Program is $180 with a $25 deposit required. Deposits are non- refundable and non-transferrable, and payable by check, money order or VISA/MC/AMEX (online only). Full payment at registration is greatly appreciated. If sending deposits, please remember that full payment is required by June 1 to guarantee your class choices.
2018 Pre-Registration Form
Please send me a copy of your 2018 catalog. Send my friend one too!
Name______Sex ______Name______Sex ______Address______Address______City______State______Zip______City______State______Zip______Phone(s)______Email______Phone(s)______Email______
Please register me for: Traditional Song Week, July 1-7 Contemporary Folk Week, July 22-28 Celtic Week, July 8-14 Fiddle Week, July 29- August 4 Old-Time Week, 15-21 Mando & Banjo Week, July 29- August 4 Guitar Week, July 22-28 THE DEADLINE FOR PRE-REGISTRATIONS IS FEB. 9. DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERRABLE.
I would like to reserve housing for ______Single Shared Accompanying me will be the non-student (name) ______I am registering (#)______children in the Children’s Program (Traditional Song, Celtic & Old-Time only)
Enclosed is my: Mail to: check/money order, Check#:______The Swannanoa Gathering Warren Wilson College Tuition deposit, $100/week ...... ______PO Box 9000 Non-student deposit, $50/week...... ______Asheville, NC 28815-9000 Children’s Program deposit, $25/week per child...... ______phone/fax: (828) 298-3434 TOTAL...... [email protected] www.swangathering.com Non-Profit Organization Warren Wilson College US Postage PO Box 9000 PAID Permit # 26 Asheville, NC 28815-9000 Swannanoa, NC 28778
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Wish you were here!