Total immersion

Wow. Swannanoa Celtic Week ended on Saturday, but I'm still a bit dizzy from the experience.

At the last minute, I switched my morning schedule around. I was overly ambitious, taking both Intermediate Scottish Fiddle (Sarah-Jane Summers) and Intermediate Irish Fiddle (Liz Knowles). In the end, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of information and music, but gained tremendously from both classes.

It is such a treat to park your car for a week and walk everywhere on campus: dorms, dining hall, gym, classroom, etc. The food is of excellent quality and well prepared - all you can eat every meal. In the evening, low-cost libations are available for those who appreciate such things, especially in conjunction with the numerous sessions (found everywhere after classes).

Every evening offered some sort of extracurricular musical activity. I attended two instructor concerts on Monday and Wednesday nights and danced for over three hours in a ceilidh on Tuesday night. I played in a session for a good part of Thursday night. On Friday night, I played in a session during the early part of the evening and then performed with my intermediate Scottish fiddle class during the student showcase. We played an air titled 'Chluinn Mi Na H-eon' (I see the birds), a strathspey called 'Bodaich Bheag Abriatheachain' (The Little Old Men of Abriachan) and a reel known as 'High Drive'. After the student concert, sessions were going everywhere inside and outside. Suddenly a tremendous rainstorm began and everyone ran for cover. Soon, most of the instructors congregated in Sunderland Hall and began an all-star session: Martin Hayes, David Power, John Skelton, Jerry Holland, Liz Knowles, Patrick Mangan, Sarah-Jane Summers, Kathleen Conneely, Kevin Crawford, and Robin Bullock. Also just hanging about were Billy Jackson, Claudine Langille, and Jesse Winch. The session went past 2am and the craic was mighty, indeed.

During my week there, I spent a lot of time learning from/playing with/in conversation with a lot of fabulous musicians, both professional and amateur. What impressed me even more than their knowledge and talent was their humility, graciousness, and good humor.

On the way home in the car, my friend Keadron said that she would not know what to say when her friends ask how things were at Swannanoa and I understand what she meant. Words can't really describe the experience.

Lorelei

Well, I did it again. Yep, another fiddle. This one should do it, though. It was made completely by hand for me by John Larrimore, a well-known maker who creates exceptional violins of authentic Guadagnini (Italian) pattern. This instrument has a one-piece back of beautifully flamed red maple, also used for the sides, neck, and scroll. The top is tightly grained spruce and the ebony fingerboard was fashioned from the fingerboard of an old cello. I closed the deal with John for this instrument while it was still "in the white" (before the varnish had been applied). Consequently, I was able to specify the color of the oil varnish (reddish-brown), rosewood fittings (tailpiece & inlaid pegs/button), fine-tuners, and Dominant strings.

After trying the finished instrument, I knew instantly that it was the best I had ever played. I took it with me to Swannanoa and played it for a week, really enjoying every minute. This instrument was very carefully graduated and is quiet & sweet under the ear, at the same time projecting a beautiful tone to anyone within listening range. The soundpost and bridge are a little out of adjustment now, but that happens with any new instrument. I'll take it by John's place sometime in the next day or so and he'll get it back into top form in short order. This process will repeat with decreasing frequency for the next year or so until the instrument is completely played in, after which it will become fairly stable.

The instrument was christened "Lorelei" by its maker's wife. I like the name. It feels appropriate, since I have in years past spent time at the legendary Lorelei Rock on the Rhine river in Germany and any good fiddle has a kind of 'siren' quality about it.

As an aside, I plan to sell two of my remaining instruments, though I haven't yet decided which of the three to keep as a second instrument.