RSCDS - Twin Cities Branch Presents:
A Scottish Music Workshop

13-15 January 2012
Minneapolis, MN

Focusing on Scottish dance music, for musicians of all levels

Instructors: Hanneke Cassel (fiddle) and Dave Wiesler (piano)


A sample of Hanneke's teaching (starts at about 1:55)
Hanneke performing on the radio in February 2010.
Workshop Description and Schedule

Interested in learning more about Scottish music? The RSCDS Twin Cities Branch is pleased to offer a weekend workshop featuring nationally and internationally-renowned musicians Hanneke Cassel (fiddle) and Dave Wiesler (piano). Any musician with at least a basic knowledge of their instrument is enthusiastically encouraged to participate. No previous experience in Scottish music is required, though an interest is key. There will also be a class open to non-musicians with an interest in learning about Scottish music.

The weekend will kick off with a concert by Dave and Hanneke, at and co-sponsored by the Celtic Junction on Friday night. Workshop classes will be held Saturday morning and afternoon and Sunday morning. Saturday evening there will be an informal Scottish country dance(with opportunities for workshop participants to join Hanneke and Dave in the band for part of the program.

More details to come soon.

Workshop Weekend Schedule
(subject to slight change)
Time Hanneke Dave
Friday, 13 January 2012
8:00 p.m. - about 10:00 p.m. Concert by Hanneke Cassel and Dave Wiesler »Tickets for the just the concert available from the Celtic Junction
Saturday, 14 January 2012
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Check-in/Registration
9:00 a.m. - 10-15 a.m. Joint class: What Makes it Scottish (open to non musicians)
Get a sense of what Hanneke and Dave have to offer with an overview of the Scottish style and an introduction to playing for Scottish country dance. This class is suitable for both musicians of all levels and non-musicians who are interested in the Scottish style.
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Scottish styling and nuances (group A)
Hanneke will get into more detail on playing tunes in the Scottish style, including some of the common ornaments.
"Group A" is musicians who would describe themselves as having intermediate or better grasp of their instrument. 		Playing sets of tunes for dancing (group B)
Dave will focus on sets of tunes as arranged for Scottish country dance, including the dynamics of how sets of tunes are selected and played, and some of the conventions (like starting and ending chords) used when playing for dance.
"Group B" is novice musicians who would describe themselves as not yet at the intermediate level on their instrument.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch on your own
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Scottish styling and nuances (group B)
Hanneke will get into more detail on playing tunes in the Scottish style, including some of the common ornaments.
"Group B" is novice musicians who would describe themselves as not yet at the intermediate level on their instrument. 		Playing sets of tunes for dancing (group A)
Dave will focus on sets of tunes as arranged for Scottish country dance, including the dynamics of how sets of tunes are selected and played, and some of the conventions (like starting and ending chords) used when playing for dance.
"Group A" is musicians who have an intermediate or better grasp of their instrument.
2:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Joint class: Techniques for Playing Back-up for all instruments
When playing as an ensemble, even melody instruments can't play the melody all the time. In this class Hanneke and Dave will talk about styles and techniques for playing back-up and harmony. These techniques can also be great when you don't know the tune well enough to play melody.
7:30pm - about 10:30pm Informal Scottish Country Dance with music by Hanneke and Dave, with guest appearances by workshop participants. (The dance will be followed by an after-glow party at the home of Scott Marsalis and Jim Morehouse in St. Paul. Directions given at the Saturday workshop classes and at the dance).
» Dance program
Sunday, 15 January 2012
10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. Fiddle techniques
Techniques and ornaments specific to the fiddle. Other melody instrument players welcome to attend but the class will focus on bowed string instruments.		 Piano/rhythm instrument players master class
An opportunity to get a bit of individual help and feedback from Dave in a group setting.
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Joint class: Final notes (pun intended)
Everyone back together for one last hour with Dave and Hanneke. Not sure what they have planned, but it's sure to be great.

Note: While there will be some music taught by ear, sheet music for many of the tunes that will used during this workshop will be made available to participants ahead of time. Be sure to include your email address on the registration form so we can get it to you.

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Instructor/Musician Bios

Hanneke Cassel
1997 U.S. Scottish Fiddle Champion Hanneke Cassel holds a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance from Berklee College of Music, and has performed and taught across North America, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and China. A native of Oregon, Cassel now makes her home in the Boston area, where she is an active member of Boston-based band Childsplay (featuring 20+ fiddles made by Bob Childs) and co-founder (with Laura Cortese and Lissa Schneckenburger) of Celtic chick band Halali. Hanneke also tours regularly with Baroque/Celtic group Ensemble Galilei, and has performed with the Cathie Ryan Band, Cherish the Ladies, Alasdair Fraser, and Matt Glaser and the Wayfaring Strangers. She teaches regularly at Alasdair Fraser’s Valley of the Moon and Sierra Fiddle Camps, Boston Harbor Fiddle Camp, and the Club Passim School of Music, as well as Pinewoods Camp. Hanneke's fiddling has graced the stages of The Boston Hatch Shell (performing with Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block), Boston's Symphony Hall (opening for Judy Collins), Mountain Stage, The Plaza Hotel, and the Lincoln Center.

Dave Wiesler
Since 1993 Dave Wiesler has built a national reputation for his rhythmic and innovative piano playing. At home in a huge range of styles, Dave plays for events ranging from studio work to concerts to dances of many flavors -- contra, swing, vintage, couple dance, English and Scottish country dance. He has given concerts at venues including the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the Washington Folk-Life Festival, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and for two years he led popular performance tours on antique pianos for the Smithsonian Museum's Piano 300 Exhibit. Dave has played at festivals and camps across the country as well as in Canada, Scotland, and England. He is a prolific composer of tunes and songs, and is also a capable guitarist and singer. He lives in Newark, DE, with his wife, two young sons, and two cats.

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Cost, Location and Other Logistics

Fees: Full Workshop Weekend
Includes all workshop classes plus concert and dance		 $100
Friday Evening Concert Only
»Tickets for the just the concert available from the Celtic Junction. 		$15 in advance, $18 at the door
Saturday Night Dance Only$15 in advance, $18 at the door
Partial workshop registration optionsFees for individual classes range from $12 to $15 depending on the length. See the registration form for details.
A special rate is available to RSCDS Twin Cities Branch members. Scholarships may also be available. For information, contact the Workshop Chair
Location: The Friday Concert and all Saturday and Sunday workshop classes will be held at The Celtic Junction, located at 836 Prior Avenue in St. Paul.
The Saturday night social dance will be held at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church at 60 Kent Street, St. Paul, 55102.
Accommodations: Hospitality in the homes of local dancers or hotel accommodations are available for workshop participants coming from out of town. Contact the Hospitality Coordinator, Jamie Berg (email: jamiemberg [at] gmail.com) for information.
A workshop registration form is available online.
Advance registration for the social dance will be accepted through JANUARY 9th. After that day, pay at the door.

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Saturday Night Social Dance Program

Please Note: Although some dances will be walked, prior experience and familiarity with Scottish country dancing is expected for those planning to dance.

Use the workshop registration form to pre-register for just $15/ticket or pay $18 at the door.

»Download dance notes as a PDF

Lady Wynd 32 J 3C Goldring/Graded & Social 2
The Robson Strathspey 32 S 3C Yankee Sampler
Flowers of Edinburgh 32 R 3C RSCDS 1
Friday's Child 32 J 3C Craigievar
The Falkirk Lass 32 S 3C Merse
Arthur's Seat 32 R 3C SCD of the 18th Century
INTERVAL
Light and Airy 32 J 3C RSCDS 4
Seann Triubhas Willichan 32 S 2C RSCDS 27
Preston Mill 32 R 5C RSCDS 45
Collichur 32 J 3C RSCDS 30
The Singing Sands 32 S 3C Priddey/Silver Rose
The Montgomeries' Rant 32 R 3C RSCDS 10

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Contact Information

For general information contact:
Lara Friedman~Shedlov, 612-293-8299, email: lfriedmanshedlov [at] gmail.com

For information on hospitality options, contact Jamie Berg, 651-367-4884, email: jamiemberg [at]gmail.com

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Last updated 8 January 2012 | webmaster [at] rscds-twincities.org