We had our first concert this last week, on October 23rd. It was an amazing experience, really a didactic exercise by the teachers. It deepened our understanding of many elements of presenting folk music.

It also united our class in working together. We put together the tune list, figured out which tunes we would all play together, and who would play which tunes in smaller groups. Then we worked with the teachers to create arrangements of some of the tunes, how many times we would play each A and B part, when the harmonies would be added, addition of accompaniment elements or riffs, loud, soft, etc. There was a lot of practicing.

Then the teachers worked with us on thinking through entrances, exits, announcement of the tunes and telling any stories, instrument changes. Then we practiced it all over several days, and we got better and better.

We were pretty happy with how it came out. It was a really nice evening. We had some sets for dancing afterward. I reserved time for an “allspel”.

I was really happy to have my friend Ginny Lee come for the concert and dancing. She was in Sweden at just the right time.

Playing Mordar Cajsas polska with Amy Hakanson

Playing Näverbitten (AKA Havturnsvalsen fr Vesterbotten, Jonas Knuttson) with Nora, Christina, and Emilie. photo by Meghan Mella

All of us playing August Bohlin’s Polkett at the end of the first half. Thanks for Meghan Mella for the photograph.

Thanks to Meghan Mella for the photographs!