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Annual Weekend Report - Last updated 14 March 2003 |
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Launde Abbey, October 2002 - It’s good to be back!
Kerensa Newman
After having
been uninvolved with the Nonsuch Dulcimer club for quite a few years prior to
The Launde weekend, I found the prospect of so many dulcimers in one house
somewhat daunting!
Whilst travelling from Swindon I had several vague flashbacks to my first Dulcimer weekend (I think it may have been at Hope). All I could really remember was being completely overwhelmed by the presence of the Chinese player Xu PinXin (which I have probably spelt incorrectly). I still have the traditional Chinese tune ‘Little Cabbage’ firmly imprinted on my brain to this day!
The other thing I remember is being quite young (about 14 or 15) and every evening, a group of adults would disappear to the pub, leaving the rest of us to take part in an informal session, during one of which Jim Couza played an awesome rendition of ‘Wild Thing’.
When we did finally arrive at Launde, I was delighted to see so many familiar faces and even more pleased to see some other young people taking part.
It was great to see Maclaine (who almost classes as young) back on the scene after being ‘off this planet’ for so long. His workshops were fantastic, as always – especially the one which involved learning his own tune ‘Widcombe Flight’. Eleanor and I couldn’t stop playing it for the next week!
I have to say that it was a bit of a surprise to be voted as Editor so quickly at the AGM. I was expecting to ease myself into the weekend, find out a bit more about what it would involve and take it from there – but no such luck! Still, it’s been great fun so far and there’s nothing like a new challenge to keep you on your toes
Anyway, I for one had a fantastic time at Launde.
See you there next year! -Ed.
Launde 2002
Linda Murphy
We arrived at Launde a little early and after eventually finding the newly installed self-catering section in the South cottage, at the back of the coach house, we installed ourselves chez-nouz. We felt rather grand with our own sitting room and kitchen, shared between three couples. Luckily, we just had time to stretch our legs in the walled garden before dinner and AGM (minutes for which have been sent out to all our members).
There were so many people attending this year that at mealtimes we had to overspill into the library to eat. Food is always an issue with me, so I can never understand how we can have such wonderful home-made biscuits and cakes at break-times but such stewed vegetables at dinner.
Saturday's big event was, as always the concert in the stables. All that talent was very humbling!
Having to follow Maclaine Colston, it is just as well that I don't play the hammered dulcimer! Mary's love song was charming, Rosie's clog dance stunning and June's 'horse's brawl' a wonderful finale with everyone stomping about in a very uninhibited way! There was something for everyone not just hammerers and pluckers.
Having been kept awake by hammerers and drummers followed by gale force winds until about 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, it was with extreme difficulty that we dragged ourselves out of bed for the 8 a.m. Eucharist in the Chapel. We remembered Abby and sang hymns to lovely dulcimer accompaniments.
The workshops were very varied this year. I went to a very informative one on song accompaniment by Neil and Kath Corbett. Unfortunately it was programmed at the same time as the first Dan Evans M.D. one on Ionian tunings. The other M.D. workshops were rather out of my league for playing purposes but interesting as an observer. Dan's final one on performance skills was executed in such a confident and efficient manner that I did feel rather anxious about making any contribution. I wonder if others felt the same!
Thanks to all the organisers for another great musical weekend.
Linda Murphy
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Annual Weekend Report - Last updated 14 March 2003 |
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