Victoria Fiddle Society- Jam Reports
 


December 2011

 

About 60 people of all ages came to the December Jam, which was led by our lively and inspiring Champion Fiddler Yvonne Hernandez  We played a mixture of fiddle tunes and Christmas carols, and there were lots of delicious festive goodies and treats at the break.

 

The teens then joined us, and they and Yvonne (mostly on the piano) led the second half-----again a great mixture of tunes suggested by those taking part!
                                          

Happy Christmas to all!!
 

November 2011
 

Coming into the November Jam just after it had started felt warm and friendly, with Zavallennahh  zavallennahh@gmail.com leading and playing the piano, and also encouraging  beginners with helpful advice---thank you so much, Zav!


About 80 people of all ages were there, and a lively group of Board members were taking registrations for Fiddlefest in 2 weeks' time.


During the intermission, the new logo for the VFS was unveiled----we think all will agree it is striking and beautiful!  Many thanks to the artist, Elspeth McLean!
 

After refreshments, Eirica and Rowan led the second half with occasional help from Zav on the piano.  A good mix of tunes---thank you! 


About 60 people stayed to the end, and it was a good jam!

 

October 2011

No jam report this month

 

September 2011
 

The first Jam of the season was held at Lambrick Park School (where Fiddlefest will be held on November 18th and 19th).  About 50 folk found their way there---thanks to the organizers and the teens for helping everyone on arrival!


Zavallennahh led both halves of the Jam, also providing great piano accompaniments and got  some  very positive input from the participants.  She also gave some very useful tips about how to join in if one doesn't know the tune---thanks so much, Zav!


Everyone seemed very happy to be back, and some folk new in town of all ages found us---it's going to be a great season!
 

June 2011
 

This last jam of the season did us proud!  Good crowd, despite the wonderful weather.  Our dear friend Calvin Cairns, freshly returned from Ireland, led the main hall for the first half, and not unexpectedly had no difficulty keeping the large group together.  He made a point of going around asking the young, obviously beginner players to name tunes they knew and would like to play, and then turned each simple tune into an exciting, lively number, worthy of a stage performance.  It was a jam that will go down in the memory of those present as one of the best!!!   Thanks Calvin - we will keep our fingers crossed that you can come and lead us more frequently.

Another friend of VFS, Zav RT (Fiddleworks)  led the second half.  Some of the advanced teens tore through quite a few tunes, leaving some of us in the dust, but then Daniel Lapp joined in and managed to slow things down a little, so some of us could hold on to the tunes by the skin of our teeth.  It was a great second half.  Thanks Zav and Daniel for a wonderful end to a really great season!!!
 

Marie Bachand handed out the Victoria Performing Arts Fiddle section awards. Congratulations to the winners. 

 

Announcements:

VFS Float in the Sidney Canada Day Parade.  To sign up, email Ann Gower:  agower@uvic.ca/
FiddleFest!!  November 18 & 19.  Be sure to mark your calendar.

 

Workshops with Zavallennahh
Tune Garden: A Workshop with Zav exploring the art, craft and joy of Composing Melodies – Sat. July 23rd.

Fiddle Week with Zav – Aug 8-12.  Come learn some great new tunes and explore a variety of fiddle styles and techniques in these fun classes for beginner, intermediate and advanced fiddlers

For more information:    http://www.larsenmusic.ca/index.php?action=news

 

 

May 2011

 

The May jam was a bit slower with only half the usual number of musicians in attendance, although it was a nice mix of instruments …even a couple of banjos.  Courtney Campbell led the large jam and as usual did a great job – thanks Courtney!   Jack did a solo tribute to the Royal Wedding on his Musical Saw.  About 60 people stayed for the last half of the jam, with Courtney leading and the teens starting quite a wide range of tunes.  There were suggestions from the rest of the players as well.  The Jam broke up about 9:20.    

 

Bursary Awards were handed out at the break; Daniel did the honours this year.  Awards went to:  Junior:  Sonya Legge;   Intermediate:  Eirika Lavergne;   Adult:  Janice Campbell;    The Spirit Award this year went to Kim Turner, who unfortunately was unable to attend. 

 

Reminder of upcoming VFS related events

Sidney Canada Day Parade:  for more information or to sign up email Ann Gower at <agower@uvic.ca>  There will also be a signup sheet at the June Jam.

Qristina and Quinn Bachand’s CD Release Concert  (VFS members get a discount)
Daniel Lapp’s Joy of Life Concert May 27th

 

April 2011

 

About 100 people took part in the first half of the Jam, which was led by Daniel with Louise on piano---a great combination!

The teens and tweens joined us for the second half (after very successful sessions of their own). Courtenay and the teens led the second half ----a great mix of tunes with many suggestions from other participants, and at least one tune (A Bunch of Keys) with accompanying dramatics by the teens-----never a dull moment!

A special thank you to all those working in the kitchen and staffing the tables, keeping everything running smoothly and helping new folk feel at home----it's a great scene!

 

March 2011

 

About 90 enthusiastic people turned up for the first half of the Jam.  Louise Deschamps started by handing out a list of 1st-half  Jam tunes to everyone----people agreed this was a good idea.  She
then led the Jam from the stage with a lively piano accompaniment.  Then another of our much loved leaders, Calvin Cairns stepped up and offered to play piano, allowing Louise to join people on the floor---a great combination!  Thank you,  Louise and Calvin!


 The teens joined us for the second half, and about 60 people played a wide range of tunes, with Courtney leading and including everyone's suggestions---a good time was had by all!

 

February 2011

 

About 130 people were there for the first half---a really full house! Louisa Deschamps led the Jam with great enthusiasm and energy as always. She had rearranged the chairs so that the centre
was closer to the stage.  It was easier to move about, and yet people seemed closer together!  A lively session---many thanks, Louisa!

It led smoothly into the second half (after our usual refreshment and social break---thanks to all those in the kitchen!)   About 60 folk stayed--- the teens joined us and Courtney helped them lead the music, an excellent mixture of tunes: some very well known, others newer to some, and a wide range of speeds! With Brooke and Alisha  up on stage on piano and accordion adding to the lively accompanying row of guitar-players, it was a great sound! Yeeaay!!

 

January 2011

 This was the night of the Annual General Meeting, (held just before the Jam), with several new people joining the Board. It has been an excellent year and Fiddlefest2010 was a great success in every way!

A farewell presentation was made to Marie Bachand for all her energy and dedication during her many years on the VFS Board as Vice-President.  Thank you Marie!

The first Fiddle Jam of 2011 was well attended----about 100 people for the first half, which Louise Deschamps led with great energy. Towards the end she taught a new Latin American tune from Argentina, which people picked up very quickly.  Louise raced to the piano to accompany it with power, timing and syncopation! Thanks, Louise!

About 60 folk stayed for the second half, led by a group of about 10 teens who were good at mixing old favourite tunes in with some of their tunes---lots of energy and great fun---thank you teens!!