Kulshan Chorus logo

 Home
Concerts
Photos
Posters

FAQs
Other Information
Auditions
Members' page
Mission and History

  Kulshan Chorus PREVIOUS CONCERTS - Spring 2003

Previous concerts? see the archives list
Upcoming concerts? - current concert

AN
AMERICAN TUNE
Photo Gallery


May 10, 2003

Bellingham High's new auditorium
2020 Cornwall Street
(Cornwall and Ohio Streets)

 "An American Tune" poster. click for larger image

An evening filled with old timey
bluegrass, country and swing tunes.
Featuring the Northwest's hottest
mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass and fiddle musicians.

One of our youngest members at the Spring Carnival concert 2002A message from:
----- Terry Brainard, President, Kulshan Chorus Board of Directors.

In the fall of 1987 Roger Griffith and a few friends began meeting in Flip Breskin's living room with what has become the Kulshan Chorus. I joined the Chorus a few weeks after the group started and have lent my heart and voice to this effort since then. For many years the Chorus, using Roger's wonderful arrangements, has performed music from the world over, highlighting the greatness inherent in our similarities and differences.

Since I have known him, Roger has talked about the Kulshan Chorus doing a concert that celebrated American song and showcased the finest musicians in the Northwest. The time has come for this effort. On May 10th 2003 at 8 PM in the Bellingham High School Auditorium the Kulshan Chorus and the finest musicians we could find will dedicate ourselves to the great tradition of American Music.

What follows are some thoughts on this concert from our Music Director Roger Griffith.

[top of page]

A Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
----- Roger Griffith, Musical Director

In Port Townsend, Washington, in the summer of 1974, occurred a gathering of musicians - mostly fiddle players. Under the auspices of the Centrum Foundation, this gathering was to be the first in an ongoing workshop/ celebration of fiddle playing which is known as the FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN FIDDLE TUNES. During the 28 years to date, every style of fiddle playing has been represented, and musical giants have given of their time and talent to teach those who are inspired enough to jump in and have a go at improving their skill at the fiddle.

The FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN FIDDLE TUNES is, in my opinion, the finest of its kind to be found anywhere.

The concert on May 10th at the Bellingham High School auditorium will bring you some of the most interesting, if not the finest music from the tradition of "fiddle tunes." This is a colorful and powerful Kulshan Chorus concert, with songs the entire family will enjoy.

We blend music well known with song that were seldom a part of "mainstream" America prior to the 1960's. Such music was relegated to "race" records and aired by very local radio stations. This is where you would find the "hillbilly" or mountain music, the blues, the music of the African-American, klezmer, the music of the Jewish immigrant, along with many other styles and examples - until Motown and the folk music revival of the 1960's blew it all wide open.

This concert, then, is provided to acknowledge and enjoy the music fostered by the Appalachian or "mountain" tradition of the southeastern United States.

[top of page]

The Musicians - all together for this concert only!

CARY BLACK, bassist, is described in "Sing Out!" magazine as "a musician's musician." Cary is at home in a wide variety of musical settings, including work with Ernestine Anderson, Frankie Avalon, Cheryl Bentyne (The Manhattan Transfer), The Boys of the Lough, Bob Brookmeyer, Bob Brozman, Dan Hicks, Rebecca Kilgore, The Kingston Trio [see write up], Laurie Lewis, Laura Love, Mark Murphy, The Platters, Johnny Ray, Kay Starr, and Linda Waterfall,. Cary has toured extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia and has appeared on The Grand Ol' Opry, with Garrison Keillor; and on the PBS, ABC, CMT, TNN, and Fox television networks.

Paul ElliottPAUL ELLIOTT is among the most versatile and respected fiddle players on the West coast. He has performed with Michelle Shocked, Alison Brown, The Good Old Persons, and John Reischman. His recording credits span film, television, and radio, and CDs including Scott Nygaard's "No Hurry" on the Rounder label. Paul has taught at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, The Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and the British Columbia Swing Workshop.Dave Keenan

DAVID KEENAN, banjo, guitar and mandolin, has shared the stage with Bill Monroe, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss and Garrison Keilor, has recorded and toured with Sugar Hill artists Ranch Romance, playing over 100 shows a year in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia. He is a record producer and has taught at Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and British Columbia Bluegrass Workshop, the WinterHawk Fest, New York, and Rhythm & Roots Fest, Rhode Island. Dave and Paul Elliott are both members of the Downtown Mountain Boys.

Scott LawSCOTT LAW, guitar & mandolin, has been able to challenge genre boundaries in both acoustic and electric music, has performed, toured and recorded with Seattle's finest including Hanuman, The Living Daylights, Tough Mama, Odd Men Out, and Orville Johnson. He performs with fifteen-year Jerry Garcia Band keyboardist, Melvin Seals, in the Melting Pot, as well as fronting his own Scott Law Band.

<<- One of the many photos from Scott's website.
[TOP OF PAGE]

AFTER THE CONCERT MESSAGES:

May 13, 2003 from Roger:

To each and every singer in the chorus,

Thank you many times over for your participation in the American Tunes Concert. It was a wonderful evening and an experience that could not have happened without your involvement and energy.

Although my back is to the audience most of the time, my sense is that they loved the concert - and conversations with those in attendance seem to bear that out. Not only were those with whom I talked excited about the music, but also several individuals offered details - something which is often lacking.

I thought the concert was one of the best, it was a gas to do, and was borne out by talking with many of you and a conversation with Paul Elliott this morning - the band really had a blast. Among the high points for the band included: that the community loves the choir and supports it - that was obvious to the band and was a high point; that bringing in "outside musicians" was significant in the over-all picture - not only to the chorus but the audience as well - they felt well received and welcome; and that the choir members made the band feel welcome and appreciated.

Paul mentioned that the usual turnout for an event at which he plays is 100, and that 200 is a crowd. To play for 800 (we sold 797 tickets), and a full house at that, was quite an exception to the usual event for the band members - regardless of their talent.

When asked about possibly working with us again, in the future, Paul suggested a concert of French Cabaret music, since that is one of his specialties. Sounds like a great possibility to me! He has the band, we have the talent and experience. The few glitches were insignificant, the songs were powerful and wonderfully performed.

And Fiddle Tunes - WOW ! The tempo, the power - it was all there. I am grateful to you.

Thanks again to all, and to those whose extra effort got the stage set, the tickets sold, the songs learned and produced yet another great event for Bellingham. I am honored to be a part of it.

If you have comments you wish to share, e-mail to roger
Otherwise, have a great summer and see you in the fall (1st Thursday in September)[see schedule]
With appreciation for your time and effort,
Roger

[top of page]

May 13, 2003 Paul Elliott writes:

 

Hi Roger,
I spoke with Cary last night and got his feedback on the chorus gig. It was an unqualified positive experience as far as he was concerned. Most of what he said just matched what you and I discussed on the phone, but I should pass on a couple of things.

One thing he stressed that I already passed on to you deserves mentioning again, especially now that I know you'll be passing some of our feedback on to the choir: The positive attitude of the choir and the appreciation they all showed the band really does make a difference to us. Cary mentioned it, and we all felt it and had remarked on it at one time or another during the gig. In a sense we were like hired guns for this concert, and we could have been treated like that--but instead we were made to feel like part of the community.

Another thing Cary mentioned was the quality of the sound system and engineering. It was absolutely first class, and I'm embarrassed for not having brought it up when you and I debriefed earlier. Phil and his crew were absolutely fantastic. I'm guessing that you may be spoiled from working with the choir in good halls with good sound people, so I really need to emphasize how rare it is to run into that quality of sound engineering. The fact is there are very, very, few engineers right now who have a clue how to run sound for an acoustic band. From the band perspective working with an engineer who can't cut it can turn an otherwise enjoyable gig into a couple of hours of purgatory. Phil is a great asset to what the choir's doing, and we felt lucky to have him running sound.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks, Paul

 

 

[top of page]