Flurry Youth Institute of Traditional Music

Maura McNamara has created the Flurry Youth Institute, where classical string-instrument students in the schools get an opportunity to rub shoulders with accomplished traditional string players like Jay Ungar, George Wilson, John Kirk and Trish Miller, Peter Davis, and others. Maura is also planning a local “mega-band” where budding musicians will have the opportunity to actually perform at area dances alongside more experienced players.

The Flurry Youth Institute introduces violin, viola, cello and bass students to traditional music. During a day long workshop, second year string students through college aged musicians work with local professionals.

If you would like to sponsor a student taking a workshop (for as little as $20), contact Maura McNamara, 518-587-1472, flurryyouthinstitute@gmail.com

If you are interested in participating in the next workshop in February 2008 complete the Flurry Youth Institute Registration Form.

After a short opening performance for all participants, each group works with each teacher for an hour. The groups are based on age and playing experience. Topics include building traditional repertoire, stylistic elements, arranging tunes and improvisation.

In the afternoon, the students and teachers present a 'works in progress' concert open to the public. This showcases what the students have learned and is an opportunity for all three groups to hear each other.

Our goal is to build our community of traditional musicians by providing an opportunity for younger students. We are working toward promoting the exchange/experience with multiple ages and local academic institutions; last year we were able to coordinate with John Kirk and Trish Miller's traditional music program at Skidmore College.

This year we are expanding to include an Albany site, with the intent of having students who participate in individual institutes meet for a combined session at the Dance Flurry Festival in February. This will likely start at Flurry 09.

Previous faculty include: George Wilson, Peter Davis, Sara Milonovich, John Kirk, Trish Miller, Jay Ungar, Molly Mason, Andrew and Noah Van Norstrand.

2007 Participant Fee - $20, $10 for Skidmore students, $3 for afternoon concert

The Teachers

George Wilson is a virtuoso fiddler, guitarist, banjo player and singer whose tune expertise comes from the fiddling traditions of New England, Quebec and Cape Breton, as well as from Scotland, Ireland and Shetland. George’s dynamic fiddling is extremely popular with contra dancers and concert goers. He plays in a variety of bands including the Whippersnappers. George will draw from his Bowing 747 workshop teaching bowing techniques for French Canadian and Cape Breton tunes.

Peter Davis is Mr. Versatile, and an expert at all of the instruments he plays including clarinet, alto sax, 5-string & tenor banjo, piano, guitar, mandolin and whistle, Peter boasts an intuitive approach to all manner of traditional folk, blues, vintage pop and jazz forms. He currently plays with at least seven bands and will be working with George on tune styles and improvisation at the workshop. http://www.oldsongs.org/GeorgeWilson.html http://www.peterdavis.biz/

Jay Ungar & Molly Mason are extraordinary musicians. Their performance of Jay's haunting composition "Ashokan Farewell" — the musical hallmark of Ken Burns' The Civil War PBS series — earned the couple international acclaim. They've garnered legions of fans through their appearances on Great Performances, A Prairie Home Companion, their own public radio specials, and work on film soundtracks such as Brother's Keeper, Legends of the Fall, and a host of Ken Burns documentaries. Jay and Molly's Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camps — in New York's Catskill Mountains — remain a favorite learning vacation destination for music and dance enthusiasts all across the country. Jay and Molly’s incomparable warmth and wit coupled with consummate musicianship have delighted audiences worldwide. They will be discussing composing and arranging. http://www.jayandmolly.com/home/index.shtml

Quickstep featuring John Kirk - fiddle & mandolin, Trish Miller- banjo & clogging and Ed Lowman- bass, fiddle and guitar performs traditional fiddle tunes and folksongs and delights audiences with Trish’s Appalachian style clog dancing. John & Trish are a married couple from the foothills of the Adirondacks and have extensive experience teaching in schools around the U.S. They work together full time, playing music and singing in concerts, festivals, schools, and both call dances. Quickstep has the drive of an old-time Stringband, the depth of moving ballads and show-stopping clog dances to boot! The trio will focus on the roots of fiddle music and may even add a song and dance to the afternoon’s performance! http://www.johnandtrish.com/

On February 10th, 2007 more than fifty violin, viola, cello and bass students from the Saratoga Public Schools, the Capital District and Skidmore college participated in the second annual Flurry Youth Institute on Saturday. The workshop occurred at Skidmore College's Filene Music Building. The students learned about traditional fiddle music from some of the area's best instructors and performers. George Wilson and Peter Davis worked on French Canadian dance tunes, while John Kirk and Trish Miller taught a Cajun piece and ideas and techniques for backing up a melody line. Jay Ungar and Molly Mason discussed improvisation and taught tunes by ear. Toes were tapping and faces were smiling during the afternoon performance where the students were led by Jay, Molly and the other instructors in the grand finale of Ashokan Farewell, composed by Jay Ungar.

Flurry Youth Institute of Traditional Music Contact: Maura McNamara, 518-587-1472, flurryyouthinstitute@gmail.com

More photos at: http://picasaweb.google.com/danceflurry/FlurryYouthInstitute

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