Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture

In this class we’ll learn dance tunes from Quebec (reels, jigs and waltzes), Brittany (andros, gavottes, and plinns) and Central France (mazurkas, bourrees and schottishes). Each week we’ll learn a tune from Quebec and a tune from France, starting by singing each new tune, and then putting it on our instruments. In addition to lots of playing time we’ll also discuss the origins of Quebecois & French dance tunes, their history as well as their use today. We’ll talk about regional styles, ideas for medleys and arrangements, melodic variations, options for harmonies, ornamentation and chordal accompaniment. But first and foremost we’ll learn lots of tunes! All instruments are welcome, open to musicians of an intermediate level on up.