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!
28th
Dear Friends, Fall 2018
Welcome to this year’s edition of McGuire, guitarists Eamon O’Leary, Robin Bull- our newsletter, the Postcard from ock and John Doyle, Nuala Kennedy on flute and Swannanoa. This summer the Gath- voice, piper Kieran O’Hare, singers Len Graham, ering’s new Admin team welcomed Ed Miller and Cathy Jordan, harpers Billy Jackson our biggest group ever. and Gráinne Hambly, whistle players Kathleen Conneely and Cillian Vallely, Lúnasa flute player Our spring Celtic Series, a part of Kevin Crawford, accordionist Damien Connolly, the Mainstage Concerts at Asheville’s sean nós dancer Siobhan Butler and John Skelton Diana Wortham Theatre, presents again served as the Celtic Week Host. some of the world’s finest Celtic art- ists, and last year featured concerts Old-Time Music & Dance Week had by Socks in the Frying Pan, The Sharon Shan- another banner year under Coordinator non Band, Dervish and the Alt. See the “P.S.” sec- Erynn Marshall’s leadership, with a tion below for details on next spring’s Celtic Series. lineup that included Eddie Bond, Jared Boyd, John Harrod, Alice Gerrard, Our vocal program, Traditional Song Week, got Phil Jamison, Carol Elizabeth Jones, the summer started with a staff that included the Kirk Sutphin, Bob Herring, John Kingston Trio’s George Grove, Karl Scully of the Hollandsworth, Carl Jones, Sheila Four Irish Tenors, bluegrass and old-time veteran Kay Adams, Bob Carlin, Howard Joe Newberry, New England balladeer Ed Trick- Rains, Ellie Grace, Tricia Spencer, Flying hair, ett, Scottish singer Alan Reid, Irish ballad singer Karen Celia Heil, Joseph Decosimo, Flying feet... Len Graham, coordinator Julee Glaub Weems, Cliff Hale, Ira Bernstein, Ben Nelson, Dervish vocalist Cathy Jordan, gospel singer Kathy Paul Kovac, Lightnin’ Wells, Luke Richardson, Bullock, early country & honky-tonk specialist Mark Kevin Kehrberg, folklorist and shape-note singer Weems, multi-talented Appalachian musician Josh Ron Pen and dulcimer ace Don Pedi. This year’s Goforth, Nashville guitarist Tim May, singer/sto- Guest Master Artists were fiddler Roger Cooper, ryteller Sheila Kay Adams and community singer banjoists Lee Sexton and George Gibson, the Matt Watroba. Special guests included old-time New Southern Ramblers and dancer Thomas artist Laura Boosinger and bluegrass banjoist Tony Maupin, accompanied by the irrepressible Daniel Ellis. Melissa Hyman offered a Dream-themed Rockwell. program for children during Traditional Song, Celtic, and Old-Time Weeks. New to Guitar Week this year were flatpicking veterans Russ Barenberg and Tim May, and Celtic Week was bigger than percussive guitarist Preston Reed who joined ever and welcomed a number slack-key master Patrick Landeza, blues guitarists of new staff including fiddlers Toby Walker, David Jacobs-Strain and Scott Mari Black, Alasdair White Ainslie, renowned fin- and Caitlin Warbelow, guitar- gerstylists Clive Carroll, ist Owen Marshall, storyteller Jamie Stillway, Mike Maírtín de Cógáin, bodhran Dowling, Tony McM- player Anna Colliton and multi- anus, Robin Bullock, instrumentalist Dave Curley. They joined veteran Bill Cooley, Adam Raf- fiddlersMartin Hayes, Liz Carroll, Andrew Finn ferty, and coordinator Al Magill, Katie McNally, Liz Knowles and Manus Petteway. Jazz players Swannaloha!! Sean McGowan and Greg Ruby completed the by bluegrass masters Alan Munde and Bill Evans, teaching staff, while instrument repairman Randy with Paul Brown and Terri McMurray teaching Hughes diagnosed problems to complement our the traditional old-time clawhammer banjo style. Luthiers Exhibit which featured instruments by Ed Dodson taught guitar and led the daily blue- master luthiers John Slobod, John Kinnaird, Tyler grass jam, while legendary mandolin builder Lynn Robbins and Michael Bashkin along with selected Dudenbostel was again on-hand to offer repair inventory from Dream Guitars, a local shop special- work and bad puns. izing in high-end instruments. Check out the “Coming Next Summer” section Contemporary Folk Week wel- below for a sneak preview of the 2019 lineup. comed newcomers John Gorka, Joe Craven and Nora Jane Struthers along with veteran staff members Tom Paxton, Kathy Mattea, Peter Mulvey, Vance Gilbert, Don Henry, Amy Family News... Speace, Ellis Paul, Jon Vezner, Any of you with news of inter- Cliff Eberhardt, Siobhan Quinn, est to the Gathering community A Big Star and Camela Widad to the staff. Kim should send a copy to the Gath- Richardson again acted as the Contemporary Folk ering office, so we can publish it Week Host. here... Our profound thanks go Rebecca Bond, who agreed, on Fiddle Week partnered with Mando & Banjo short notice, to expand her role Week, as the two programs combined jams and as Housing Coordinator to that band sessions, and members of both staffs per- of Acting Operations Manager, formed in the staff concerts over three nights. This in order to whip our office into year’s Luthier’s Exhibit featured violinmaker Joe shape in time to stage last summer’s workshops. A Thrift and bowmaker Roger Treat. Coordinator big shoutout also goes to our awesome Operations Julia Weatherford’s staff this year included blue- Assistant Miguel Herrera. We couldn’t have gotten grass legend Byron Berline, Cajun master David through the summer without them... Congratula- Greely, jazz great Evan Price, Jeremy Kittel, tions to new mom Amy Speace on the birth of old-time fiddlers Kilby Spencer Huckleberry James Wood... Last November we and Kenny Jackson, Irish fiddler learned of the passing of National Flatpicking Champ Liz Knowles, multi-stylist Darol and SG staffer Orrin Starr. His music and warm Anger, Canadian fiddlerAdrianna heart will be missed... Congratulations to Old-Time Ciccone, Andrea Hoag teaching Week fiddler Eddie Bond who was awarded the Swedish fiddle, Brazilian choro fid- NEA’s National Heritage Award, the US’s high- dler Andrew Finn Magill, cellist est award in the folk arts... Congratulations also to Abby Newton, Nora Garver Fiona Ritchie, whose ThistleRadio music channel teaching beginners technique, was named “Best Online Music Show: Country/ progressive bluegrass fiddler John Folk/Blues” in the 2017 Online Radio Awards... Mailander, guitarist Greg Ruby This summer, we welcomed 18 scholars sponsored and bassist Ethan Jodziewicz. by our own Youth Scholarship Fund and 11 others sponsored by Mando & Banjo Week continues to thrive with a number of other organizations such powerhouse instructors as mandolinists Mike including the Charlotte Folk Marshall and Caterina Lichtenberg, bluegrass Society, the Measley Broth- greats Alan Bibey, Emory Lester and John Reis- ers, Blue Ridge Irish Music chman, jazz mandolinist Don Stiernberg, and Society, The Wilkes Acoustic Celtic mandolin/guitar player David Surette. New Folk Society, Tosco Music to the mandolin staff this year were choro player Tim Parties, Dream Guitars, The Connell, blues player Steve James, and Mandolin for Shepard Posse, the Fitzgerald Aaaaooooo, Dummies author Don Julin. The banjo staff was led Scholarship Fund, proceeds Werewolves of Wilson... from the Banjo Gathering CD (produced by one ule, back to the calendar of our instructors), Green Grass Cloggers and weeks they occupied prior ArtistWorks Video Exchange Learning. This to last year. year’s scholars were: Kira Doppel, Colin McGlynn, • After 23 years at the helm, Olivia Prevost, Evelyn Thom, (Celtic); Fletcher our Master Music Maker and Gaddy, Maggie Hoffman, Rain Larson, Andrew multiple Grammy-winner Al Medlin, Marlee Merritt, Elli Oploh, (Old-Time); Petteway has stepped down Ry Dean-Slobod, (Guitar); McKenzie Cody, Julian as Guitar Week Coordinator, Dans, Olivia Galic, Lindsey Hirschfeld (Contem- and long-time Guitar Week Al Petteway & Greg Ruby porary Folk); Anthony DeCesaris, Simon Dunson staffer Greg Ruby has taken and Alexander Meredith (Mando & Banjo)... Key over Al’s duties. We thank Al for all he has done for deposit donations to our Youth Scholarship fund the Gathering and hope to see him around for many this year totaled $12,823. Our profound thanks to all summers to come. of you who gave financially to help cultivate a love for • After stepping in on short notice to organize traditional music and dance in the next generation... our office last spring and shepherd us through the Teachers please note that the Swannanoa Gathering summer workshops, Acting Operations Manager offers teacher renewal certification hours for any Rebecca Bond has decided go back to her role of our weeks. Contact your local school board for as Housing Coordinator, and we’re very pleased prior approval... Don’t forget to support your local to announce that our new Operations Manager is Public Radio and Television stations. For other veteran Gathering attendee and volunteer Puck folk news, don’t forget the online resources Acous- Askew, who is already familiar with our programs ticGuitarForum.com, UMGF.com (The Unof- and many of you and should be a great fit for us. ficial Martin Guitar Forum), MandolinCafe.com, • Our new academic building came online just in BanjoHangout.com, Mandozine.com and maga- time for last summer’s programs and has now been zines Sing Out!, christened Myron Boon Hall. We look forward to The Old-Time putting Boon to good use each summer. Herald, Acous- • After 27 years, we have decided to discontinue tic Guitar, Dul- our shuttle service to and from the Asheville cimer Players airport. Visit the Asheville (AVL) airport’s website News, Finger- for other ground transportation options. style Guitar, and • We are having a new, integrated database/website Fiddler. built for us that should streamline and automate Wall o’ Banjos many of our processes. It should be ready and in place by the time you read this.
We will again offer a full Children’s Program during our Traditional Song, Celtic and Old-Time Weeks. For those families bringing small children, we will Coming Next Summer... continue to provide evening childcare during those weeks at no additional cost. Mando & Banjo Week, June 30-July 6 Fiddle Week, June 30-July 6 The Swannanoa Gathering is structured around what Traditional Song Week, July 7-13 we call an ‘open format’, which allows students to Celtic Week, July 14-20 create their own curriculum and Old-Time Music & Dance Week, July 21-27 take as many classes as there are Contemporary Folk Week, July 28- August 3 periods in the day. We require Guitar Week, July 28- August 3 that students register for specific classes, but allow them to switch We have several big news items for next year starting after the first day into another, open with a re-ordering of our programs. class if they find they have made • For 2019, Mando & Banjo and Fiddle move an inappropriate choice. After from Week 5 to our Week 1 slot, and all the this ‘settling-in’ period, we expect other programs shift down a week in the sched- that students will remain in those classes, and we discourage drop- dler Andy Stein, Irish fiddling great Liz Knowles, ping in and out of classes during Bronwyn Keith-Hynes of the bluegrass band Nine the week. This structure allows Mile, Old-Time Week Coordinator Erynn Marshall, students considerable flexibility, Andrew Finn Magill on Brazilian choro, Scottish and is an essential element of our fiddler Laura Risk, and progressive fiddler Alex program’s character and appeal. Hargreaves. The program also includes the multi- Many of our classes may include talented Josh Goforth, bassist Kevin Kehrberg, musical notation or tablature, gypsy jazz guitarist Greg Ruby and Nora Garver though in general, we emphasize teaching beginning fiddlers. learning by ear. Mando & Banjo Week, June Classes generally have a maximum of 15 students. 30-July 6, features classes in blue- Some may have more or less than this figure due grass, old-time, Celtic, swing/jazz, to the nature of the subject or the discretion of the newgrass & more for both instru- instructor, and limits for each class will be indicated ments as well as a few classes in in our catalog. Several of the 2018 workshops guitar accompaniment. The program filled up early last year and we expect that trend to continues to be integrated with continue as more of our programs approach their Fiddle Week through common jams limits, and although our schedule of classes is not and Band Sessions that encourage players in both currently complete, pre-registrations from this programs to form bands that will work up a few newsletter are strongly encouraged. While it tunes throughout the week. Mike Marshall heads doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get all the classes you up the mandolin staff, which also includes bluegrass want, pre-registration definitely gives you the best greats John Reischman and Alan Bibey, progres- chance at doing so. Folks may register with a tuition sive mandolinist Matt Flinner, swing mandolinist deposit of $100 and may reserve housing without a Don Stiernberg, classical master Caterina Lich- deposit. The deadline for pre-registration is Feb. 8. tenberg, blues player Steve James, choro & jazz Pre-registrants will be sent a class schedule as soon mandolinist Tim Connell, guitarist Ed Dodson, as it is ready and given priority in class assignments. Mandolin for Dummies author Don Julin and David Full payment is required by May 31 to guarantee Surette doing double duty on Irish mandolin/tenor a space. After that date, class reservations will be banjo and guitar. Tony Trischka and Bill Evans unconfirmed until we receive the balance. If we are will be instructing the bluegrass banjo players, and holding a space for a student in a class that is full, and old-time pickers Paul Brown and Terri McMurray their balance is unpaid after May 31, we may release will teach clawhammer-style banjo. Next year we that space to another student. will again feature a Luthier’s Exhibit with several of the country’s best builders. Lynn Dudenbostel At present, we are completing our staff selections for will once again be onhand to offer repair services. next year, but many of our instructors have already confirmed. The online version of this newsletter will Traditional Song Week, July 7-13, promotes a be continually updated with the most current staff wide variety of traditional singing styles. For next roster. Here’s a peek at the 2019 lineup... year, Coordinator Julee Glaub Weems’ program welcomes CMA, ACM and Grammy Award-winning Fiddle Week, June 30-July 6, singer Suzy Bogguss, the ‘freedom songs’ of Reggie moves back to our Week 1 slot Harris, Irish vocalist Nuala Kennedy, gospel choir where it first began, and will leader Kathy Bullock, Master Music Maker and explore such fiddle styles as host of NPR’s Thistle & Shamrock Fiona Ritchie, bluegrass, old-time, progres- multi-talented Appalachian musician Josh Goforth, sive, swing, blues/improv, Irish, Riders in the Sky’s Ranger Doug, folk songwriter Brazilian and more and will Joe Newberry, Karl continue its integration with Scully from the Four Sisters are very close... several features of Mando Irish Tenors, Appa- & Banjo Week. Coordinator Julia Weatherford’s lachian ballad singer staff currently includes our Master Music Maker and Elizabeth LaPrelle, improv wildman Joe Craven, legendary swing fid- Nashville guitarist Tim
Cheers! May, old-time country musician Mark Weems, Sing Contemporary Folk Out! Radio founder Matt Watroba and guest artists Week, July 28- August Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, 3, offers an inspiring week Scottish singer Ed Miller, and old-time musician of artist development Carl Jones. for all acoustic perform- ers. Classes include song- Celtic Week, July 14-20, wel- writing, performance, comes new staff members fiddler vocal coaching and more, Winifred Horan mandolinist taught by an outstanding Paxton & the President Dave Cory and whistle player lineup of seasoned professionals passionate about Shannon Heaton, and features their art and equally passionate about inspiring others the return of Scottish fiddlers to develop their own unique gifts. Next year we Alasdair White and Mari Black, welcome back Grammy-winners Kathy Mattea storyteller Máirtín de Cógáin, and Tom Paxton, singer/songwriters John Gorka, guitarist Owen Marshall, Nora Jane Struthers, Peter Mulvey, and Master Can I interest you in this fine... singer Dave Curley and Music Maker and creative dynamo Joe Craven. bodhran player Anna Colliton. They join fiddlers We’ll also have on hand veteran staff Jon Vezner, Liz Carroll, Katie McNally, Caitlin Warbelow Don Henry, Ellis Paul, Amy Speace and Vance and Liz Knowles, Irish guitarist and singer John Gilbert. New this year, ex-Solas vocalist Moira Doyle, Lúnasa’s Colin Farrell, Cillian Vallely and Smiley joins Camela Widad on the vocal coach- Kevin Crawford, guitarist Eamon O’Leary, Irish ing staff and Asheville’s own David Wilcox joins singer and flute playerNuala Kennedy, Celtic Week the songwriting staff. Kim Richardson returns as Host John Skelton, ballad singer Len Graham, Contemporary Folk Week Host. harper/concertina player Gráinne Hambly, piper Kieran O’Hare, harper Billy Jackson, sean nós Guitar Week, July 28- August 3, offers classes in dancer Siobhan Butler, Scottish singer Ed Miller, fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar in a wide variety of fret wizard Robin Bullock and more. Back after a styles, as well as ukulele. New Coordinator Greg brief hiatus are fiddler Rose Flanagan and accor- Ruby has continued retiring Al Petteway’s tradition dionist John Whelan. of excellence by adding newcomers Grant Gordy, longtime guitarist with the David Grisman Quintet, Old-Time Music & Dance Week, July 21-27, fingerstyle champChristie Lenée and world music is one of the Gathering’s original programs and its guitarist Hiroya Tsukamoto. We welcome back oldest. Coordinator Erynn Marshall has lined up fingerstylistsClive Carroll, Jamie Stillway, Steve another great staff, featuring Brad Leftwich, Bruce Baughman and blues players Steve James, Del Molsky, Carl Jones, Paul Brown, Travis Stuart, Rey, and Scott Ainslie, Celtic guitarists Robin Kay Justice, Linda Higginbotham, Sam Bartlett, Bullock and Tony McManus, jazz guitarist Sean Abby Ladin, Rachel Eddy, Ben Nelson, Ron Pen, McGowan, bluegrass player Ed Dodson and per- Ellie Grace, Don Pedi, Greg & Jere Canote, Kari cussive fingerstylistVicki Genfan. Patrick Landeza Sickenberger, Vollie McKenzie, John Holland- returns to teach Hawaiian slack-key guitar and uku- sworth, Tatiana Hargreaves, John Herrmann, lele and orchestrate the end-of-week luau. Guitar Gordy Hinners, Evie Ladin, tech Randy Hughes will offer maintenance tips, and Sheila Kay Adams, Meredith this year’s Luthier’s Exhibit will feature the guitars McIntosh, and Master Music of master luthiers John Slobod Maker Phil Jamison. Guest (www.circaguitars.com), Tom Master Artists include Bruce Doerr (www.doerrguitars. Greene, Thomas Maupin, com) and Tyler Robbins Daniel Rothwell and more. (www.robbinsacoustics.com), Classes will include fiddle, claw- as well as a selection of amazing hammer banjo, guitar, man- instruments from the inventory dolin, bass, clogging, square of Dream Guitars (www. dreamguitars.com) located in dance, dance calling, southern nearby Weaverville, NC. harmony singing, string band, shaped-note singing and more. She rocks...! Luau!! P.S. • Currently scheduled Gathering-sponsored con- If you got this newslet- certs for 2019 include the Celtic Series of Mainstage ter in the mail, you’re Concerts featuring Eileen Ivers on February 28, already on our mailing and We Banjo 3 on March 15. All shows will be list. Please check to in Asheville’s Diana Wortham Theatre. For tickets, make sure that we contact (828) 257-4530, or visit
Timwhistle. All photos by Arlin Geyer, www.rlgeyer.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, Potluck Sessions, 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 ‘Register’ 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. 8. Tuition is $565 per week. The optional housing fee of $445 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 $185. Non-students may accompany an enrolled student for the housing fee of $445 and an activities fee of $165. We no longer offer Saturday stay- overs or airport shuttle service. 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 May 31 to guarantee your class choices.
2019 Pre-Registration Form
Please send me a copy of your 2019 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: Mando & Banjo Week, June 30-July 6 Old-Time Week, July 21-27 Fiddle Week, June 30-July 6 Contemporary Folk Week, July 28- August 3 Traditional Song Week, 7-13 Guitar Week, July 28- August 3 Celtic Week, July 14-20 THE DEADLINE FOR PRE-REGISTRATIONS IS FEB. 8. 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