MAY 2014 30 YEARS SHARING ACOUSTIC MUSIC July 1983-2013 Issue 349 Website : www.silverstrings.org PRESIDENTS CORNER _____________________________________________________Marsha Kozlowski There is much to write about but think I will focus on updating you on the proposed School Assembly project we have started with some letters written to the “members of Silver Strings”. “Thanks for coming to DuVall school to play your dolcimers, guitars, hurty-gurty-, violins, bass, banjo, tambourine, spoons, and drum! When we clapped, we clapped 1300 times! I counted! We all enjoyed it, and had a good time. My favorite song was Catfish on a Tree. Thanks again and come back soon!” From Kristin at DuVall school. “My favorite tune was Irish Washer Women. My favorite instrument was a tambourine. I have never heard of the dulcimer and the hurty-gurty. Thank you for coming” Erin Lin “Thank you for coming to our school. I enjoy your music. I liked it because it has stories with it. I recognized some of the music. I recognized some of the instroments.” Sincerely, Brittany. “I liked your music and your instruments. I am in 3 rd grade. I am 8 years old. Are you going to come back?” Sincerely, Vlora “I reley like the banjo and the tambourine. I play instruments too. I play an electric guitar and a drum set. I hope you can come back.” Sincerely, Ian From Alyssa Wilkins: “PS. You are very good at music.” From Elham: “I wish you could perform again. I like the bass. I like a other band the Back Street Boys”. These were written in February 2000, the last time Silver Strings played at a school. Some of the tunes the students mentioned as favorites besides “Catfish on a Tree” and “Irish Washer Women” were “Red Wing”, the “two Irish Songs”, “Whiskey Before Breakfast” and “Turkey in the Straw”. Fast forward to 2014... It is time to go back into the schools. We have contacted the principals of 11 elementary schools in the area to determine interest and propose presenting a program, most likely beginning next fall. While that is in progress, the program itself is being developed. A proposed tune list has been made. A script is being written out so that various groups and configurations can present it and the program will not be dependent on one person. Numerous people are contributing to this by providing me with information on the history of our instruments, our music and other teaching aspects that will make this a dynamic program. I personally thank all of you who have offered support in whatever way. If you are connected to an elementary school in your area and have the principal’s name and contact information, please pass it along to me. They will be contacted as well. Wouldn’t it be great to respond to “When are you coming back?” with a resounding: “We are back!” April JAM – what did it taste like? It was good? Many people chose a tune and started it themselves. Doing this gave a lot of variety to the night like triple-berry jam. Strawberry Jam or Second helpings – we did play several numbers “One More Time” and then “One More Time” again. Never too much of a good thing and it got better the more we played. Thimbleberry Jam – like something most people have never tasted, we played some tunes rarely played but well worth the time. Keep up your personal tunes of the month, practicing a start, listening for the bread, oops, I mean bass players and let’s JAM! Marsha PLAYDATE CHATTER __________ VP BUSINESS IT’S MAY...LET’S CELEBRATE ! April was a quiet month for the performing side of the club—only one gig at Canton Heartland Rehab. We BIRTHDAYS perform at Heartland every other month and for those 5....Dave Matthews debating on whether to perform or not, this gig is a good one to start with. The audience is usually small and very 13...Carol Dick receptive and appreciative to our music. It is a relaxed 17...Tim Murphy atmosphere and usually a lot of fun. Please consider 19...Shirley Kaiser joining the “performing” group for this gig! 26...Peggy Kustra At our last Board Meeting, we discussed a “Getting 27...Dawn Hayes Started” workshop for all instruments. We would like to 27...Terry Kozlowski try expanding our starts and starters to other instruments 28...Lyle Thompson besides the hammered dulcimer and the fiddle. The workshop would focus on the monthly playlist and other common tunes played at gigs, and allow other ANNIVERSARIES instruments, as well as the hammered dulcimers and 15...Chris & Mike Hurt...............43 rd fiddles, the opportunity to practice a start until perfected 17...Ron & Dawn Hayes in a supported, safe environment. Hopefully, some new 26...Kaye Hemmerline starters will emerge from such an experience! Look for more details on when the workshop will be in upcoming newsletters and announcements at club meetings! We have 3 gigs scheduled for May—2 of them are at SECRETARY _______________________Mick Mastal new venues in Dearborn Heights and Ypsilanti. For a Minutes from the last meeting are on file complete listing of our upcoming playdates, please see and available for inspection. the Events Calendar in this newsletter. If you are unable to attend a club meeting and would like to sign up for a playdate, please email [email protected] FROM THE TREASURER’S DESK __Terry Koslowski or call (734) 455-4085 . KT As announced at the last jam, I have taken over maintaining the Medical Emergency cards on SSDS From the VP PROGRAMS ___________Marie Naster members. If you have not filed one with us, please do w/ Megan Callaghan and Jeff Despard so. See me to get a card. If we have a card on you and it has not been updated in several years, please check We hope everyone is making plans to attend the with me to review the information. As we stated at the annual campout. The weather has finally started to meeting, this information will be kept private with access moderate a bit and it should make for a pleasant time. If only to board members so if a medical emergency you have not attended this event in the past, now is the should arise at a jam, a gig or event, we know who to time to start. Guaranteed fun. call and pertinent information to give to first responders. Also coming up is fifth Thursday variety night at the So doing this is in your best interests. end of May. Marcia Kozlowski will be our emcee. Brush A reminder, I bring the monthly finance reports to off your acts and show off a bit. every meeting. You are welcome to look at these, if you After that will be the annual picnic , this year held in would like to see them, come up and ask. The money Garden City park, Aug. 7, then the annual banquet, the club gets for the gigs helps to support the various tentative date Oct 16., more details on that closer to the events and activities it has. Membership in SSDS is a event. bargain – having a place to jam, to improve your musical Plenty of music and things to do with your friends and skills, to make new musical friends, to perform and share fellow musicians. music. Unlike gas prices, our membership fees have Enjoy! stayed the same. We have had a couple new members recently and more are always welcome. .Terry Marion Baxter who lives in the Riverview area (Downriver) is interested in the hammered dulcimer. She is looking for two things: ANN'S GROUP 1. A dulcimer to learn on (she has an antique dulcimer th th that has been in the family but may not be a good one to Meetings in May will be 14 and 28 1 to 3pm. learn on.) We will be working on tunes for Evart: “Golden Slippers”, 2. A teacher who lives in the downriver area. “Down Yonder”, “Five Foot Two”, and “Prairie Flower”. All beginner hammered dulcimer players are invited. If you can be of any assistance in this area, let Please email or call me if you’d like to come. Marsha know and she will pass on her contact Phone: 734-744-4255 Email: [email protected] information. MARK YOUR CALENDAR To print the May play list, please click on our website or this link : MAY http://www.silverstrings.org/sections/tunes/PDF/2014/may14.pdf 1....MAYDAY! Silver Strings May 2014 Playlist 1....SSDS Meeting and Jam . 7:00-? Key Tune Play 15...SSDS Meeting and Jam . 7:00-? D Whiskey Before Breakfast 3 Whistle Workshop . 6:00 Over The Waterfall / Mississippi D 3/3 21... Playdate . BC . 1:30-2:30 Sawyer Berwyn Senior Center . .Dearborn Heights G Westphalia Waltz 2 29... SSDS VARIETY NIGHT . 7:00-? G Red Wing 3* 30... Playdate . BC . .3:00-4:00 G Maggie 3 The Gilbert Residence . .Ypsilanti G Southwind 3* 31... Playdate . BC . .6:00-7:00 Road to Lisdoonvarna / Riding Load Em 3/3 Southgate Co-Op . Southgate Hay JUNE Am Cold Frosty Morn 3 13-15... SSDS ANNUAL CAMPOUT D John Ryan’s Polka 5 C=Casual, BC =Business Casual G I’ll Remember You Love In My Prayers 3* G March of St Timothy 3 Kay Rowe will have a Whistle Workshop Em Tamlin 3 for all interested at 6:00 on May 15 th before the D Hey Polka 5 Jam. Bring your pieces you want to learn Em Missouri 3 and we'll work on them.