Vinland Music Camp 2023
Workshop Descriptions
Vinland Camp Choir (Jean Hewson and Maddy Mouland) New!
The Vinland Camp Choir is open to all campers and will be directed by Jean Hewson with assistance from Maddy Mouland. Participants will learn songs arranged for three parts: melody, high harmony and low harmony. All you need is the ability to listen and the desire to heave it out of you – and no one named Sister Rose will tell you to mime the words!
Vinland Folk Orchestra (Christina Smith and Jean Hewson) New!
This course is open to intermediate and advanced players on any instrument – as long as you can play it in the key of D! We will learn a couple of easy tunes and explore harmony, bass lines, counterpoints and descants. We’ll have a couple of dandy arrangements by the end of the week!
Newfoundland Tunes (Christina Smith) New!
Open to intermediate and advanced players on melody instruments, in this class we will be learning tunes from the repertoires of notable Newfoundland musicians including Mrs. Belle Fennelly, Emile Benoit, Rufus Guinchard, Jack Fitzpatrick, John Brown and more. Tunes will be in keys that can be accommodated on the fiddle, mandolin, D whistle, and D accordion.
Fiddle Techniques 1 (Christina Smith)
Come learn or review the basic skills that will help you be a better player – how to hold the instrument comfortably, how to make a good sound, how to get your fingers to play in tune. We’ll learn a couple of easy tunes to try your new skills out on!
Fiddle Techniques 2 (Christina Smith)
Improve your skills on the fiddle! This class is about developing some comfort with things like playing faster, using your pinky, string crossing, playing double stops and drones, freeing up your bow arm and left hand, and sounding authentic (playing “stylistically”). Maybe we’ll even get to improving our shifting or vibrato! At the beginning of the session, we’ll make a list of technical things participants would like to learn or improve upon, and let that be our guide for the week. Along the way we’ll learn a couple of fun tunes to show off our new and improved abilities!
Accompaniment Guitar (Madison Mouland)
An introduction to guitar accompaniment focusing on basic chords, strumming techniques, and easy songs.
Accordion 1 (Graham Wells)
In this class we will learn about all about the button accordion, including the different parts of the instrument and how it works. We will focus on the treble side (right hand) of the accordion. We will learn two singles, which we will later join to form a "set" of tunes; we will also learn a waltz. Note: You will need to have an accordion that plays in the key of D in order to take this class.
Accordion 2 (Graham Wells)
In this class we will learn a set of jigs and a set of hornpipes. We will also explore adding some ornamentation and incorporating the bass side (left hand) of the accordion to add colour to our playing. Note: You will need to have an accordion that plays in the key of D in order to take this class.
Bodhran (Graham Wells)
In this class we'll look at the basics of playing the bodhran to accompany traditional music. We'll learn how to hold the bodhran and tipper, how to play a simple rhythm, and a bit about bodhran etiquette. The camp has a very limited number of bodhrans so this workshop is BYOB!
Dance 1 (Jane Dennison)
This is an introduction to Newfoundland dance for beginners or those who would like to review the basic steps. We'll start from scratch but by the end of the week you'll have a good comfort level with a few simple set dances.
Dance 2 (Jane Dennison)
This is a class for people with some dance experience. Traditional set dances such as Running the Goat, the Square Set, the Lancers and others will be taught in this class. Some experience may be helpful.
Harmonica For Beginners (Gary Green)
An introduction to playing traditional music on the harmonica. Note: You will need a ten-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C to take this course. If you do not already own a harmonica and you are planning to buy one for camp, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Mandolin/Tenor Banjo 1 (Dave Panting)
This is a class is for anyone with an interest in starting to play these instruments. The course will include exploring the fingerboard, basic chords and learning to pick at least two tunes.
Mandolin/Tenor Banjo 2 (Dave Panting)
In this class we will learn more complicated pieces as well as accompaniment strumming techniques. Advanced chord structure and melody/chord playing will also be covered.
Mandolin /Tenor Banjo 3 /(Dave Panting)
A class for advanced players who have mastered the basics.
Introduction to Recitation (Gary Green)
Recitation has been a loved form of storytelling throughout the province for generations and has seen somewhat of a resurgence in recent years. Stories, real or imagined, told in rhyme, often times funny, are usually hits with an audience. This workshop will introduce participants to the basics of rhyming and story construction through a series of hands-on exercises leading to participants creating their own recitation for performance. No previous experience in storytelling or recitation is required.
Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador (Jean Hewson)
In addition to learning a variety of folksongs, participants will be introduced to the basics of traditional singing, harmony singing, and storytelling through song. The workshops will also include some discussion on the history and social context of traditional songs. This session is for singers of all ages and levels.
Songwriting (a & b) (Hugh Scott)
In this class you will learn song construction, techniques in finding subject matter, and how to write the right melody to fit your lyrics. We also discuss arranging songs and how to get your songs played publicly. And of course, you will write a song.
Storytelling (Gary Green)
An introduction to the art of Newfoundland and Labrador storytelling – including tall tales, ghost stories and the famous ‘Jack’ tales. Participants will learn the basics of how to select, learn and perform stories. Among the topics discussed will be story types, voice, gesture, audience interaction and story adaptation.
Tin Whistle 1 (a & b) (Gerry Strong)
This is a class for anyone starting to play the instrument. The course explores the fingerings of the G and D scales. You’ll learn to hold the tin whistle correctly, and how to make a good sound. You’ll also learn to play an easy tune or two. Note: You will need to have a ’D’ tin whistle in order to take this class.
Tin Whistle 2 (Gerry Strong)
For those students who already have some experience on the tin whistle, this class will concentrate on building your repertoire and improving technique. We'll be aiming to learn two new tunes and look at some ways to "dress up" tunes with various ornaments. Note: You will need to have a ’D’ tin whistle in order to take this class.
Ukulele 1 – Beginner Ukulele (Eric West)
An introduction to playing ukulele, using easy chords and simple melodies.
Ukulele 2 – Intermediate Ukulele (Eric West)
For those who have been playing ukulele for a while, this workshop will explore more advanced chord accompaniments and melody playing.
Ukulele 3 – Advanced Ukulele (Eric West)
A class for players who would like to learn advanced accompaniments and solo chord/melody playing on the ukulele. Low ‘g’ tuning is recommended for this workshop.
Wooden (Irish) Flute (Gerry Strong)
Private lessons for any level can be arranged on this instrument at no extra cost.
Note:
Workshops that are designated as ‘a’ and ‘b’ (e.g. Tin Whistle 1(a) and Tin Whistle 1(b) – are at the same level and are repeated in different time slots so that there will be fewer scheduling conflicts. Please indicate the letter and number of your selections on your registration form. In addition to workshops there will be evening concerts and traditional dancing. Each day ends with an informal campfire.
