volume 2016, issue 5! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! the central indiana ...printed versions of the main songbook...
TRANSCRIPT
May Musical Theme“Occupations”
2016 Board MembersPresident: Mary Sanders! ! ! [email protected] President: Howard Detamore! ! [email protected]: Steve Arbuckle! ! ! [email protected]: Barry Levitt! ! ! [email protected] Coordinator: Cathy Platt! ! [email protected] 317-485-5010Member-at-Large: Connie Temm! ! [email protected] President: Dave Tucker!! ! [email protected] Editor: Susie Kraeszig! ! [email protected]: Myrna Gray ! ! ! [email protected] Creek Folk Fest Chair: Morgan Sanders-Jackson [email protected]
May 2016 MeetingSunday, May 8, 2016, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PMBethlehem Lutheran Church52nd & Central, Indianapolis, IN1:00 - 2:00 - Slow Jam Practice for Eagle Creek2:00 - 3:00 - Performance Hour3:00 - 4:00 - Big Band Practice for Eagle Creek4:00 - 5:00 - Sharing Circle
Volume 2016, Issue 5! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! May 2016
THE CENTRAL INDIANA FOLK MUSIC &MOUNTAIN DULCIMER SOCIETY
NEWSLETTER
Song of the Month Insert“Skip to My Lou”
Volunteers still needed for the Eagle Creek Folk Fest for the Info Table, the Sertoma Food Booth, set-up and take-down. Sign up at the May meeting or let Morgan
Sanders-Jackson know you would like to help. Email Morgan at [email protected].
Slow JamThe slow jam at 1:00 will be led by dave
slates in the big room. we will be working on songs to be played at the big band’s sets
at the eagle creek festival. the set lists are included in this newsletter. they can also
be found at our yahoo site.https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/
DulSoc/info
Sharing CircleThe Sharing Circle begins at 4:00. It is a good place to “get your feet wet”
before considering playing at Performance Hour. It is an
opportunity to share your music in a small circle of musicians with less
stress than Performance Hour.
2016 Eagle Creek Folk FestSaturday June 11Sunday June 12!
Money Bag$ By Barry Levitt – May 2016
Account status for April 2016 as of this writing (prior to reconciliation):
$ 5,955.89 => Checking balance (more than one year ago).
$ 2,275.00 => Net Gig income over the past rolling year ($450 above prior period)
$ 1,775.00 => Dues income over the past rolling year ($145 above prior period)
$ 5,509.66 => Total expenses over the past twelve months ($1,754.43 above prior period)
$ 435.39 => Operating surplus for the past twelve months ($163.30 above prior period)
Based on the past rolling year’s experience, we have sufficient funds on hand to cover about 17 months of expenses.
Membership Status: In April we had no new members, four renewals, no reinstatements, and one dropped member. Total memberships stand at 73, vs 74 one year ago.
Membership Dues: Annual individual and family membership dues are $25/year. The immediate family, living at the same address, of an individual member may be included in a family membership. If your membership is due or past due, please send a check to CIFM&MDS, P.O. Box 1503, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1503, or catch the treasurer at the next meeting. We are always happy to take your money.
Songbooks: Printed (on paper) versions of the songbooks are still available while supplies last. Songbooks will also be available in electronic format on flash drive (memory stick). Printed versions of the Main Songbook with or without the Mountain Dulcimer Tabbing by Lew Mastin are available to all members in good standing for $30 each. Fiddle tunes are included in the Main Songbook, but a special “Fiddlers Edition” is available as a separate printed supplement for $5 each. Songbooks will also be available in electronic format (flash drive) for $10 each. See me at the meeting if you are in need of any of these songbooks.
Jean Vance has been a great help providing treasury service assistance at our CIFM&MDS meetings the last several years.
As Indiana enters into the political forefront, my thoughts turn to the music of politics. Wikipedia eloquently notes that campaign songs are primarily seen during presidential elections, songs directing us to the patriotism or other stellar qualities of a candidate, reminding us of the promise of the future or the values of the past, rousing us to stand up, sit down, push away, give away, or laugh at the other candidate. Dr. Robert Greenberg, music historian, in an NPR interview during the 2008 presidential campaign, noted that “(m)usic and politics have been intertwined in the United States since the 1800s when President Thomas Jefferson and President Quincy Adams were in office.” Dr. Greenberg described these campaign songs as “contrafacta”, meaning the use of preexisting and well-known melodies fitted with new words. Check out Thomas Jefferson’s “Jefferson and Liberty”, Martin Van Buren’s campaign song (set to “Rockabye, Baby”), Abraham Lincoln’s “Lincoln and Liberty”, Harry Truman’s “I’m Just Wild About Harry”, or Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Hello Lyndon”. Ronnie Gilbert and others assert that the Hutchinson Family Singers writing and performance of “Lincoln and Liberty” was a significant factor in Lincoln’s successful presidential bid, and ushered in the use of political songs by more contemporary folk musicians. With changes in media, campaign strategies changed, and with those changes, came changes in how music is used to support the candidate’s bid for the presidency. In recent times, candidates have often chosen intact songs to
express their positions and rouse support for their candidacy. George H. W. Bush’s use of Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”, George McGovern’s use of Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, Michael Dukakis’s use of Diamond’s “America”, Bill Clinton’s use of Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop”, Ross Perot’s use of Cline’s “Crazy”, and Barrack Obama’s use of Springsteen’s “We Take Care of Our Own” sung by Springsteen following Obama’s acceptance speech at the 2012 Democratic Convention are examples of songs directly used to convey perspectives and to evoke positive reactions. Musicians’ resistance to having their songs used by particular candidates has also emerged. Tom Petty threatened to sue George W. Bush if he didn’t stop using “I Won’t Back Down”. Heart resisted the use of “Barracuda” by John McCain. Neil Young objected to Donald Trump’s use of “Rockin’ In the Free World” for his campaign, but the song was reportedly used through a licensing agreement with ASCAP. Like the Super Bowl, presidential campaigns provide us with opportunities to enjoy, or not, popular songs. And when the campaign is over, and the dust of countless CNN and other debates clears, we can always turn to The Worsh Ahts (The Wash Outs) YouTube videos of songs written about “would be presidents”, those candidates who lost their bid for the White House. Check out “The Wendell Wilkie Song” and others, and stay tuned for the newest song, following the culmination of the current election!
Check out pictures from the 41st Eagle Creek Folk Festival!
Pictures by Dave Wensits: https://flic.kr/s/aHske87TFF
Pictures by Susie Kraeszig: https://flic.kr/s/aHsked4CrZ
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR PRESIDENT, MARY SANDERS
The Dulcimer Only Group (AKA DOGs)The Dulcimer Only Group will meet every Wednesday night from May 4th to June 8th to prepare for their set at the Eagle Creek Folk Fest. The DOGs will play on Saturday, June 11th, at the festival. The DOGs meet at Robin Run Village on West 62nd Street at 7 P.M. Please contact Lew Mastin for more information at [email protected].
Happy Harpers HappeningsHappy Harpers is a group for autoharp players of all skill levels. We meet on the fourth Sunday of each month at members’ houses. We have a Yahoo group which you can join that has music and our calendar. If you have any questions about the group, please call Cathy Platt at 317-485-5010 or email: [email protected]
Ukulele LadiesContact, Cathy Platt, [email protected]; phone: 317-485-5010The Ukulele Ladies are a welcoming group of women who want to play the uke. We meet at Betsy Wilson’s on the 1st, 3rd and 4th Thursday, and Mary Sanders’ on the 2nd Thursday. If you’d like to join us, send me an email and I will set you up with our Yahoo group so you will get meeting reminders, music and other info. We are a group of all skill levels on the uke. If you’d like to learn how to play, get in touch!
Word from the Eagle Creek Folk Festival Committeeby Morgan Sanders-Jackson, Chair
May Notes from your Music CoordinatorCathy Platt, [email protected]; phone: 317-485-5010
At the May Society meeting we will be practicing for our Eagle Creek Folk Festival performances with Set Leaders Mike Raab and Dan Reneau. The set lists are in the Files Area of our Yahoo Site. If you don’t have access to a computer, there will be a couple of copies available at the meeting. There will not be a regular Society meeting in June. We will all be at the Fair!
With The Eagle Creek Folk Festival just a month (and some spare change) away, The Eagle Creek Folk Festival Committee is actively finalizing logistics for the big event. I’d like to say a hearty “Thank you!” to all who submitted their registration forms timely; your efforts have made our schedule planning a breeze! Keep your eyes peeled for updates regarding the main stage performing lineup. We’ve worked hard to ensure that your prospective time slots reflected the requests indicated on the form but, if necessary, we can retool. It looks like we’ll have two days full of wonderful music!
We are still open to sponsors and donations for the event, and we’d love your help in spreading the word about The Eagle Creek Folk Festival. If you need copies of the sponsorship forms or any of our promotional materials, let me know and I’ll email them to you. We’ll be bringing posters and postcards to the May Society meeting and, as a reminder, our Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/eaglecreekfolkfest/ . Check it out and share the love!
Resource Volunteers NeededSometimes folks come to the Folk Society meeting interested in learning a new instrument and needing a little guidance. The Society has been lucky to have Lew Mastin provide support for the mountain dulcimer for quite a few years, but now someone new is needed. We also need support for the autoharp, guitar, mandolin, banjo, uke ... It does not take much time to do this. It is very helpful to just look at their instrument, help them tune it, maybe show them a chord or two. A point in the right direction goes a long way.
Please contact Howard Detamore, our vice president, at [email protected] if you can help with this.
Snacks at the May meeting courtesy of the Dulcimer Only Group
(aka DOGs). Thank you!
Our Website:www.indianafolkmusic.org
A Note from Tull Glazener - Celebration of Life for Gerry GrayOn February 21, 2016, I lost a friend and musical mentor when Mary Geraldine "Gerry" Gray slipped her earthly bonds. Gerry was one of the founding members of the Central Indiana Folk Music and Mountain Dulcimer Society, and also the leader and "Mother Hen" of the Family Reunion String Band for over 35 years. She was the main musical attraction at the Pioneer Museum exhibit at the Indiana State Fair starting back in the 1970's, introducing audiences to folk music by playing both the mt. dulcimer and the autoharp. But it was her voice and captivating smile that drew everyone she came in contact with to her. Making and sharing music was as natural as breathing to Gerry, and her love or the music, and for all those who made it, or appreciated hearing it, was infectious. I personally would probably not be playing the dulcimer today if it weren't for her. She was the one who first encouraged me on the instrument, and invited me to join the Family Reunion String Band which gave me a "safe environment" to learn not only how to play, but also the importance of keeping the music and these instruments alive by sharing them with others. I will miss her voice, and her smile, but most of all her unwavering support, friendship, and love. I know that there is a new voice in the angelic choir.
A public Celebration of Life for Gerry will be held on Saturday, June 18, from 2-4pm, at the Prospect Masonic Lodge, 2901 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN. Folks will have a chance to share any memories of Gerry they would like to, and of course there will be lots of music (everyone is invited to bring instruments, of course).
Performers at the April Meeting Bill Kissling - “Bonnie Blue Flag”
Sugar Cream Pie - “The Vacant Chair”Gary Reiter - “Decoration Day”
Dianne Kafka - “Battle Hymn of the Republic”Sidetracked - “Lorena”
Susie Kraeszig & Dave Wensits - “Come Dearest the Daylight is Gone”
George McCord & Tom - “Ashokan Farewell”Tom Meier - “Two Little Boys”
Dave Wensits - “When You and I Were Young, Maggie”‘Nate Raab - “Sixteen Tons”
Ukulele Ladies - “The Cruel WarGary Kiser - “Big Rock Candy Mountain” HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!
gofundme
The Eagle Creek Folk Festival Committee has set up a gofundme account to help with the costs of hosting the festival. You can help by sharing the link with your friends and family, or perhaps donating to the festival yourself. Proceeds from the fundraiser will not only help this year, but also in years to come. Donations can also be made through PayPal.
https://www.gofundme.com/a4vz7tzg
The Eagle Creek Folk Fest is on Facebook. Here are the links to the pages that have been set up.
https://www.facebook.com/events/525335524306138/
https://www.facebook.com/eaglecreekfolkfest/?fref=ts
A Sponsorship Letter has been created to help promote the Folk Fest this year. It is a 3-page do cument attache d to th i s newsletter. We will also have copies available at the May meeting. If you receive your newsletter by mail, please contact me if you would like a copy mailed to you, or come to the meeting and pick up a copy there. We’d love to see you!Susie Kraeszig, Newsletter [email protected]
NOTE TO MEMBERS: Email delivery of newsletters results in substantial savings to CIFM&MDS and keeps you even more up-to-date on Society news. If you are receiving your newsletter through the mail, consider opting for email delivery instead. Email Susie Kraeszig at [email protected] if you would like to change your delivery options.
Meet Our MembersKaren Sechristby Mary Sanders
The Society has been a part of Karen Sechrist’s life since her husband, Paul, joined in 1980, becoming a member herself in 1981. Karen has been a constant Society presence… autoharp player, sound stage manager, music coordinator, newsletter editor, organizer, supporter, historian … and wife and mother.
Born in Chicago, Karen is the daughter of Betty Jane Crowe and Herbert Hart. Herbert’s father, Edgerton Hart, was a surgeon who ran a hospital in China. Virgil Hart, Karen’s paternal great-grandfather opened missions and hospitals in China. Karen’s family moved to Baltimore, back to Chicago, and then on to Piedmont, California. Karen remembers going to Oakland to watch movies, as well as San Francisco, and the Alcatraz escape. After V-J Day, the family took a train back to Chicago and moved back into the apartment of her maternal extended family members. Karen recalls going to Marshall Fields (where her maternal grandmother worked selling coats), looking at her feet through a fluoroscope, taking the “L” to Marshall Fields, walking to the Science and Industry Museum, and learning to ice skate. Karen’s father, whose job was to renegotiate defense contracts, got a Nixon-appointee job with the Renegotiation Board in Washington, D.C. and the family moved to Maryland, where Karen attended Bethesda- Chevy Chase High School. Schoolmates included children of persons involved in government. Karen recalls going to South Carolina with a friend, Sally Johnston, daughter of Senator Olin Johnston, and seeing separate black and white bathrooms for the first time. She sang at Washington National Cathedral with her high school choir. She and Paul met in 1959 while both attended University of Maryland. Karen earned a degree in Business Administration from the University in 1960 and was offered a marketing research job with Proctor and Gamble, but decided to marry Paul instead; they were married in November 1960.
Paul and Karen, both products of missionary families, had opportunities to do missionary work around the world, but chose to stay in Indiana. Karen earned a master’s degree in education from Indiana University. She subsequently attended Christian Theological Seminary, pursuing an advanced degree in pastoral counseling, but after an internship at Central State Hospital, she realized that this career was not for her. She then earned a master’s degree in social work from Indiana University. Employment has been varied. For example, she taught school in southern Indiana and managed an apartment complex in Indianapolis.
Paul was responsible for initiating the use of electronic sound equipment by the Society and Karen helped him carry it, set it up, and use it. Paul suffered his first heart attack after an Eagle Creek Folk Festival where it rained so much on Saturday that the stage floated away and the sound equipment had to be moved to a hill. He survived, but died in 1997.
Karen has continued to live an active and many-faceted life. Paul had given her an autoharp for Mother’s Day, which she learned to play with the help of Chris Reneau, but she fell and hurt her back and now has trouble carrying and playing it. She recently moved into a retirement community and is reducing her possessions to what fits in her residence. She participates in many activities, including exercise classes and travel. On her bucket list are learning to swim (lessons start in July) and learning to sing on key (again). She recently began volunteering at a daycare at Woodruff Place for several hours a week and loves it. Karen noted that there has been some sorrow in her life, but, “… here I am. Let’s get up and go!”
Eagle Creek Folk Festival – Opening Set Saturday, June 11, 2016 1:00 PM
Set Leader Dan ReneauD New River Train Instrumental Intro, break between V2 & V3
D This Train Instrumental Intro, break between V2 & V3, repeat V1
D Life is Like a Mt. Railroad Instrumental Intro, break between V2 & V3
D Waterbound Start with vocal, break between V2 & V3 Fiddle Tune
G Liza Jane Start with vocal, break between V2 & V3
D My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Instrumental Intro, break between V2 & V3
G Blow Ye Winds in the Morning Sing straight through
Fiddle Tune
D Froggie Went A-Courting Instrumental Intro, sing straight through, repeat V1
A Camptown Races Instrumental Intro (whole song), sing straight through. Remember to repeat chorus
Fiddle Tune
G Sweet Betsy from Pike Start with vocal, break between V2 & V3
G Jesse James Instrumental Intro (Chorus), V1, Chorus, V2, Chorus, Break (all the way through), V3, Chorus, V4, Chorus, Tag
G When the Saints Go Marchin’ In Follow instructions on the sheet.
Smile and have a good time!!!
EAGLE CREEK FOLK FESTIVAL – Gospel Set, Sunday, June 12, 2016 12 noon
Set Leader Mike Raab
G Golden Slippers/Golden Stairs 2 times through each song
D This Train Intro V1, V2, play, V3, V1
D This Little Light of Mine V1 - V3, V5, repeat V1, tag
G Lonesome Valley Play after V3
G Farther Along NEW - see Yahoo Dulsoc files
D Do Lord Chorus after each verse
Em Wayfaring Stranger 1/2 verse intro, V1 - 4, tag last 2 measures
D Down by the Riverside Chorus after each verse
D What a Friend We Have in Jesus NEW - see Yahoo Dulsoc files
D When the Saints Go Marking In as written
Set Leader: Mike Raab [email protected] (317) 681-9329
New music will also be available at the May 8 meeting I look forward to making music with you!