Traditions Week II
SINGING, SONGS, SONGWRITING

To view offerings from this category in Traditions Week I, click here

Vocal Technique – Good Singing Starts with the Basics
A clearer understanding of some basic vocal principles can transform your singing experience. We’ll get to the heart of good vocal technique – correct breathing, diction and pitch—explore the basics of bluegrass harmony and apply your new skills to some favorite bluegrass songs.  Period 4, Claire Lynch

Singing New and Old – Country to Bluegrass to Folk
Come hear and join in on some great harmony singing with Dave and Linda. Learn the art of harmony singing, arranging songs and the nuances of lead instrumentation and rhythm guitar backup. Bring a song to share and work on in this supportive environment A great way to begin your day in song!   Period 1, Dave Kiphuth & Linda Schrade

Oldtime Song Repertory
Oldtime Music is way more than red hot fiddle tunes or songs made up from strings of floating, throwaway verses. There is a beauty and timelessness to songs recorded during the Golden Era—1920’s to 1940’s .These songs and singing styles formed the roots of Bluegrass performance. Sessions will consist of listening to and learning from historic recordings as well as live demonstrations. We will emphasize the idea of “make the song your own” rather than attempt to imitate the original versions. Sessions will include Ballads, Songs of Inspiration, Carter Family Songs, and other great songsters such as Uncle Dave Macon, Charlie Poole, Riley Puckett, The Georgia Yellow Hammers, etc, and early Bluegrass duets such as Don Reno and Red Smiley and Carter and Ralph Stanley. Lyric sheets with accompanying chord charts will be provided. Bring your voice, and your instrument, and be ready for some serious fun.
Period 2, Suzanne & Jim

Songs of Work
Scotsman Tom Smith started last year to relearn songs that he has known for many years. In that process, he realized a lot of these songs had to do with work and furthermore had a connection with jobs he had done in the past. It started from when he worked on a small farm during school holidays until now, working in a weaving mill, with twelve other jobs in between, apart from trying to make a living as a traditional folk musician. In this class you will sing with Tom, all the while learning an intimate slice of life in Scotland. Bring your instruments and a recording device. Students will receive lyric sheets and CD’s of the songs and go home with a treasure trove of great songs.
Period 2, Tom Smith

German Folk Songs
There is a rich German tradition of old songs with wonderful images and metaphors for freedom, love and suffering, reflecting the spectrum of human experience. In the 19th century even the famous poet Goethe collected folk songs. Especially in those times the songs inspired people from other nations to value their own traditions. Over the past 200 years, German folk songs were used and abused for various interests. Young people used them as their symbol for freedom not only in times of the folk revival but also in the 19th century. The National Socialists (Nazis) abused the traditional songs to serve their nationalistic and militant aims. Because of this the relationship of the Germans to their historical traditions is still problematic and ambivalent. In the last few years the relationship of young German musicians to their own folk songs has changed as they have started to sing and record them in a new way, combining the old music with their modern way of thinking.
Period 1, Jörg-Rüdiger Geschke

The Big Song Swap
This late afternoon class will bring faculty and students together in a feast of good songs, traditional, original, old and new. In an era of musical hype and performance overload, this is a rare opportunity to sing, play and even just listen. Teachable songs with good choruses highly encouraged! Faculty will facilitate the class, making sure that all those who care to do so will share or lead a song.
Period 5, Paul Creighton, Susan Boyer Haley, Dave Kiphuth & Linda Schrade and others.

Gospel SInging
Learn from a gifted vocalist and teacher the basics of African-American Gospel singing. Shelley’s work with individual voices to create wonderful choirs is based upon her ability to help the singer find his or her own voice. The class will work with selections from a broad range of Gospel music from spirituals to modern classics. Participants need not be great singers; they just need the desire to sing! Jazz vocal techniques will be covered as well, illustrating the connection between the two genres.
Period 4, Shelley Ensor

Songs About and For Dancing
In this class we will explore two topics: What makes a good dancing song and songs written about dancing. Many songs have words and music which fit perfectly with dances such as waltzes, reels and jigs. For example, The Log Driver’s Waltz and Corn Riggs. Then, there are the songs written about dancing itself, like Dance to your Daddy and The Devil’s Away with the Exciseman. And, of course, there are some songs that just make you want to dance for joy, any way you can! The class will have a Celtic emphasis. Dancers are also welcome.
Period 2, Linda Rice-Johnston

Rebellious Scottish Song
Few conflicts have resulted in so many great songs as the Jacobite Rebellions in Scotland. Both the 1715 and 1745 rebellions inspired songs warlike, wistful, yearning and beautiful. They include Will Ye No Come Back Again, The White Cockade, Donald McGillivray, Gallant Murray, It Was A’ For Our Rightfu’ King, Charlie is My Darlin. The class will also explore modern songs, such as Culloden’s Harvest and The Ghosts of Culloden. We will explore both traditional songs and songs “written in the tradition”. Many of these songs carry the historically valuable memories of the people who lived in the eighteenth century. Bring your own rebellious tunes and learn some more.
Period 3, Linda Rice-Johnston

Scottish Song Session – Robert Burns
Participants will be introduced to the various traditions found in Scotland; ballads, northeast bothy songs, bawdy ballads and the work of Robert Burns, exploring various themes, language and historical events linked to and found within the songs. Common Ground Scotland takes place in Ayrshire, the home of Robert Burns. Most often glossed over in the study of English poetry, the plowman poet is still relevant, alive and well in the hearts, minds and music of the Scottish people. Paul Creighton and Frank McGuire will present Burns songs, recitations and images, breathing life into our understanding of and appreciation for this great voice of the common man. Come prepared to learn, play and sing! Bring instruments if you have them.
Period 2 , Paul Creighton and Frank McGuire

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