Happy New Year Musicians!

So much has happened in the last couple of months, I know I’m going to forget something, but I’ll do my best.

Fiddle Camp 2023 is on track! Check Corrine’s report for the latest on instructors and classes.

I finally got the new WOTFA brochures printed.  I have plenty of them, so if you would like me to send you a batch of 25, or 50 please let me know (Clarinet.KatieG@gmail.com)!  You can leave them at your local music shop, give a few to your favorite instructor, or just leave them where you think others might find them.  I also still have general business cards available if you want/need any of those to drop in your case.

I don’t know about all of you, but I have definitely enjoyed everything opening up again!  I’m taking Ruthie Dornfeld’s string band class at Cornish, I’m enrolled in lessons with two viola teachers, I enjoyed the Norwegian workshop with Jeff and Jane last weekend, I’ve attended 2 contra dances, and last time I looked at my calendar to book a social event with someone, my first available evening was two weeks out!  I thought it was just the holiday schedule that had me hopping, but apparently it’s my new normal!

Like most of you, I was very sad to hear about Vivian’s passing, but I’m glad she’s no longer in pain, and I know that somewhere she’s making music with Phil and all the others again.  Everyone has a Vivian story, and nearly everyone’s speaks of how accepting and inviting she was.  I heard about her house jam, but was somewhat terrified to even approach it.  I didn’t think I was nearly good enough, and (as most of you know) I play clarinet as my first jam instrument.  I emailed her to ask if it would be okay to come, and unlike some that I have interacted with, she was unhesitatingly inviting.  She began by pointing out that back in the days of western expansion – when most of this music arrived out here – people simply played the instruments they had.  it didn’t matter what instrument that was.  She really believed that Old Time is about the music, not about the instrument, and that alone made me feel so much more welcome than I ever dreamed.  I feel absolutely honored that I was able to participate in her parlor jams, and I loved every single one that I attended. I hope to honor her memory by always reaching for more history, and always being accepting and inviting of new people.