Our theme this year, “Across the Ages,” highlights artists who have interpreted and expanded the Scottish repertoire from the eighteenth century to the twenty-first, and who have enabled new generations of fiddlers, pipers, and dancers to find their places in the tradition. Master fiddler Alasdair Fraser is preeminent among these “pied pipers” of Scottish music and dance. His fiddle camps in the US and Scotland introduce players young and old to the infectious spirit and emotional range of the Scottish fiddle. We celebrate his inspired playing and inspiring teaching, and all those who, like him, have preserved the music of past masters and launched new generations into paths of artistic exploration and discovery.
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as one of Scotland's premier musical ambassadors, presents the rich Scottish fiddle tradition with unsurpassed eloquence, passion and energy. In his latest collaboration, with vibrant young cellist Natalie Haas, Alasdair continues his journey, exploring the dynamic and rhythmic soul of Scottish dance music together with lyrical, sensitive airs.
Dazzling teamwork and driving, dancing rhythms mark their debut CD Fire & Grace, which displays their virtuosic yet playful musicianship and their love for Scottish fiddle music. A new CD is currently in production as well.
“The cello was traditionally the back-up instrument to the fiddle in Scottish dance ensembles, into the 20th century,” says Alasdair, “and it has long been one of my goals to put the cello right back there, at the rhythmic heart of Scottish music. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a sympathetic sparring partner in Natalie Haas - we can 'duck and dive' around each other, swap melody and harmony lines, or play off each other's rhythmic riffs. We're releasing the cello from its orchestral shackles, and unleashing its rhythmic power; it's very exciting.”
Alasdair and Natalie have played to great acclaim in numerous concert halls and festivals across the U.S. and Europe, including the “Scotland at the Smithsonian” Festival in Washington, D.C., and Glasgow's Celtic Connections, and the Festival Interceltique in Lorient.
At age 11, Natalie first attended Alasdair's Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School in California. She began performing in concert with Fraser just four years later. Natalie has since joined the staff at Alasdair's several music courses, including the Valley of the Moon School, at Celtic Connections and at Sabhal Mor Ostaig on the Isle of Skye. A graduate of the Juilliard School in New York, she regularly performs with Alasdair and is a member of American fiddler Mark O'Connor's Appalachian Waltz Trio. She is a guest artist on several recordings, including Culburnie Records' Legacy of the Scottish Fiddle, Volumes One and Two with Alasdair and pianist Paul Machlis.
Anne Hooper
Anne Hooper, Music Director and fiddle, is a graduate of The Mannes College of Music in New York City, and she is equally at home in the classical and Scottish styles. Between 1971 and 1980, she played with orchestras in Salzburg and Munich. She currently performs with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra and the Boston Philharmonic. She also plays with the Scottish Country Dance Band Tullochgorum and is in high demand as a musician for balls and dance parties. She often serves as Music Director for our annual concerts and for the Scottish dance sessions at Pinewoods Camp. In recognition of her dynamic and authentic Scottish fiddle style, she won the U.S. National Open Scottish Fiddle Championship in 1993 and 1998. Her recently released CD Scottish Fiddle Medleys features her collaboration with pianist Jacqueline Schwab.
Peter Barnes
Peter Barnes (piano and flute) is perhaps best known locally as co-founding member, flute, oboe, guitar, and keyboard player for the beloved and unique English Country Dance Band, Bare Necessities. He is featured on their dozen CDs including Bare Necessities and Take a Dance, and he has accompanied Alasdair Fraser in several of our Burns Night concerts and Scottish Balls. Having performed an average 250 gigs per year since 1980, he is arguably one of New England's busiest musicians. He has also has published four music books and appears on over 60 recordings. He performs with several other bands including Childsplay, Yankee Ingenuity, The Dactyls (of NPR's "Sez YOU!") radio show, Big Bandemonium, and The Latter-Day Lizards. In addition to his musical talent and charisma, Peter possesses an irresistible and infectious sense of humor.
Lezlie Webster
Lezlie Webster (pipes) has over 25 years experience promoting and educating people in the traditions of Scottish culture, specializing in music and dance. She has successfully established Scottish cultural groups in Canada, New England, and Britain, and her highland students have achieved top levels in the United States and Scotland. She has served as a judge for both piping and highland dance. Her piping is in demand for Scottish balls (especially with the group The Pipes Awa', live and on their CD) as well as for Highland Games and other festivities. With her husband, Pipe Major Gordon Webster, she currently serves as Co-director of the New Hampshire School of Scottish Arts in Manchester, NH. Among many other accomplishments, she established and led the Boston Police Pipe Band and the St. Andrew's Ladies Pipes Band, and she has previously served as Artistic Director of our annual concert.
Highland Dance Boston
Founded by Robert McOwen and Karen Campbell Mahoney in 2002, Highland Dance Boston is a performing company that specializes in the traditional and contemporary dances of Scotland. The company includes competitive highland dancers, teachers of Scottish dance, and musicians. Their repertoire includes traditional highland and step dances, as well as original choreographed pieces. The group has performances at the New England Folk Festival (NEFFA), the New Hampshire Highland Games, the Gaelic Roots festival, Burns Nights in various cities, and they recently performed at the Opening Ceremonies of the World Curling Championships in Lowell, MA. They hosted their own concert of Scottish dance in June, 2007, in Cambridge, MA. Whether performing traditional dances or their own inventive explorations in the Scottish style, they are a treat for the eyes-and (when hard shoe is involved) the ears!
RSCDS Boston Branch Demonstration Team
The Scottish Country Dance Demonstration Team of the Boston Branch dances at various celebrations, festivals, town fairs, and private events around the New England area. The group performs each year at the New Hampshire Highland Games, the New England Folk Festival, the Boston Celtic Music Festival, and at the RSCDS November concert. It creates original medleys of traditional dances, choreographed for maximum energy, elegance, and audience appeal.
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