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"Folk Music of Vermont"
Atlantic Crossing presents dance tunes and folk songs with connections to our state. Instrumental numbers are drawn from the repertoires of some of Vermont's great fiddlers of the previous generation as well as vintage tune books popular with 19th century New England dance bands.
Our principal source for folk songs is the extensive Helen Hartness Flanders Collection. Mrs. Flanders traveled the state in the 1930s and 40s, just as the old ways of life were changing and electricity was reaching rural areas. Her field recordings of traditional singers have inspired many of our arrangements.
In addition, our program incorporates several original songs dealing with events in Vermont's history. We use fresh instrumentation, rich harmonies and driving rhythms to bring traditional folk music up to date with a high level of creativity, emotional expression, and just plain fun.
Artists Involved: Viveka Fox: fiddle, bodhran; Peter Macfarlane: fiddle, whistle, vocals; Rick Klein: guitar, vocals; Brian Perkins: mandolin, tenor banjo, bouzouki, trumpet, foot percussion, vocals.
Critical Reviews:
"Energetic, high spirited, and playful. Your toes will tap, and your spirits will soar. The musicians love Vermont and its history, and it comes through in many of the songs they play. Great fun."
-Ron Morgan, President, Mount Independence Coalition, 2006
“The diversity of pieces paints a living picture of the complex and interwoven history of New England culture and music, and the original pieces flow naturally from these roots, retaining a sophisticated, well-grounded and authentic feel."
-Cindy Hill, CDReviews.com, 2006
This program is suitable for ages 8 through adult (very young children may enjoy being in our audience on their own level although our presentation would go over their heads). Our presentation can be tailored specifically for school-aged children if desired.
$800-$1250, depending on distance traveled, type of performance, whether our sound system is required, etc.
This program relates strongly to the cultural history of Vermont. Our traditional songs and tunes are drawn from authentic sources, such as the repertoire of Burlington fiddler Louis Beaudoin, Yankee fiddlers Harold Luce and John Stewart, Ryan's Mammoth Collection (published 1883 in Boston), and the field recordings of Helen Hartness Flanders. The dance tunes illustrate the influence of English, Irish, Scottish and French-Canadian immigrants to Vermont. The folk songs we perform deal with traditional Vermont occupations such as lumbering, farming, and soldiering as well as the everyday news and entertainment of the past.
In this program we also include several original songs dealing with local history, including one about a Lake Champlain shipwreck, another based on a Mt Independence soldier's journal, one about the construction of Thomas Macdonough's naval fleet in Vergennes, and one about life in Vermont during Prohibition. We have already presented versions of this program to school groups and at the Vermont History Expo.
Atlantic Crossing
c/o Viveka Fox
1379 Mountain Rd
Vergennes VT, 05491
802-759-2268
vfox@gmavt.net
www.AtlanticCrossingVT.com