New bow

A bowmaker in Bloomington, Indiana has offered me a couple of bows to evaluate. His name is Michael Duff and he makes what I am sure are the premier carbon fiber bows available anywhere in the world. The two I'm evaluating differ in weight, but share the same excellent responsiveness and both track beautifully. I have commissioned Michael to make a new gold Fleur-de-lis bow for me and will take delivery of it sometime in the Spring.

Riley Irish Music School

I have begun intermediate Irish fiddle classes at the Riley School of Irish Music in Cincinnati. The class meets on Saturday mornings for an hour, followed afterwards by an informal snack period and then various levels of sessions begin. My instructor is Susan Cross, the school's founder, and she is an excellent player and teacher. During my first lesson, she said that I have a good ear and that my intonation is excellent. Susan stopped me single-bowing tunes and gave me some bowing patterns to learn, which will help me to accelerate the pace at which I can play tunes.

Jim Malcolm

On September 15, Scottish folk singer Jim Malcolm gave a concert at Lois' and my home. We borrowed a sound system from a local sound guy, and chairs from a friend who runs a Tae Kwon Do school. About fifty people came out and Jim was in excellent form. Everything went well and several of the audience afterwards commented how much they had enjoyed the concert that evening. The next morning, we enjoyed good conversation and a late breakfast with Jim before sending him on his way. Susie has already asked us to consider booking Jim again next September.