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Message 5837
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| Subject: | [RESOGUIT-L] Fw: Bluegrass presentation at the junior high school | | Date: | Thursday, February 1, 2007 17:19:17 (-0500) | | From: | D. Tannehill <ephsmath-phys @...net>
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Way To Go RICHIE!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Art Hebert
To: nebg@bbu.org
Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 3:31 PM
Subject: NEBG: Bluegrass presentation at the junior high school
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On Tuesday we set up at Saint Joseph's Junior High School in Manchester, NH. We
had three guitars, a banjer, mando, doghouse bass, reso, fiddle, MC, still photog
and videographer. Frank (the MC) welcomed everyone and thanked them for inviting
us to demonstrate bluegrass music. He spoke for about five minutes about the
history of bluegrass.
Then he said, "But let's HEAR some bluegrass!" and the ensemble ripped into
Foggy Mountain Breakdown. Up to now the kids (325 7th and 8th graders) had been
sitting there, politely listening. I was two rows back and in the center aisle
with a camcorder set up. Stuart's mando break had them on the edge of their
seats. I watched some toes start tapping... then some shoulders started moving,
then Alan ripped into his second banjer break. There was a whistle and a "Yeehaw"
from over on my left, and all of a sudden the ice was broken and they were all
clapping and showing huge smiles.
The applause for the first number was great. Each player then talked about his
own instrument and gave a few licks to demo. The reso player, Richie, asked how
many had ever seen a guitar with a hubcap... none.
Then Rich, the fiddle player, asked if there was anyone named "Lester" in the
auditorium... Nope. He talked about Lester Flatt and kicked off On My Mind. They
loved it. Rich is a great lead singer (besides being an awesome fiddler).
Frank talked about how he grew up a city kid and took years to get into
bluegrass. And how now he can walk into any jam and join in, and the friendliness
of the bluegrass community makes everyone welcome---which helps you learn. He
talked for a bit about vocal harmony in bluegrass. Then he introduced I Saw The
Light and Fred, a flatpicker, kicked it off and did a great job singing it. Alan
and Rich chimed in and showed three-part harmony at its best.
Richie ripped off Panhandle Rag on his reso, which had the kids poking each
other with "Wow" and "How's he do that" comments. They loved the abrupt ending.
Frank picked up the narration with a recommendation for the kids to get into
bluegrass... how easy it is... For example, the guys on stage had exactly ONE
rehearsal, but because the structure of bluegrass is so easy and friendly, you
can make music in no time at all. All of the players have full time jobs or are
retired, none are "professional" musicians etc.
Next was Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms---and the kids were clapping in unison
and dancing in their seats---and we were done. Fifty minutes had gone by in a
flash. The kids leaped up and gave a standing O.
Administrators and teachers enthusiastically pumped our hands and thanked us...
"We had no idea!" One teacher told Micaela (the Student Council member and
bluegrass fan who invited us) that our show was the best assembly she had ever
attended (and that teacher looked like she's been around long enough to attend
many, many assemblies).
Frank was stopped several times on the street while walking back to his car.
And, as far as he could tell, all those people were not just "being nice."
Rather, they were genuinely upbeat and enthusiastic.
Overall, it was a total success.
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