We certainly spread some Holiday Cheer!

The Caroling went off beautifully on December 22.  The weather cooperated pretty well, and we had an ok turnout, although from what I hear, it was down from last year, probably due to having to reschedule so close to Christmas.
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We're on a break now, until practice begins for the Spring Concerts.  The dates for the Spring Concerts are Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7th.  Lynn Foote will be arranging for the locations, most likely the same as in the past.  I will post that information as it is comfirmed.

Once the Spring Concert is done, we will have another short break and then morph into "Arnie's Fiddlers" for the summer!  This will include the Nisswa Stamma in June!  I have some of the Swedish Fiddle Tune sheet music that I have found in the public domain online.  If you are iterested in it, I can mail or scan them off to you.  They are the songs played at the Allspell at the opening, where all the groups gather around the main stage and play the traditional old time favorites.  Email me at akkamarie@gmail.com if you are interested in having the sheet music to practice before the Stamma.  It's really quite rewarding to be able to play these songs with the big group!  Maybe we can see about arranging a special practice time this spring just to go over these songs, if there is interest in doing so.

So!  Keep practicing!  Devote some time to those scales.  Listen to your "Inner Arnie" saying "Long bow!"  :~)

Keep Warm ~~Rachel

Caroling Postphoned! Rescheduled to Saturday, Dec 22.

Same place, same time!  It was a wise and prudent move on Arnie's part to postphone our gathering until the weather was better.

Of note, there were 53 people at the rehearsal!  Arnie said he thought maybe an additional 10 would be coming to Carol as well!  Goodness, that's over 60 sets of strings vibrating at once!  What a force for good we're becoming.  Which brings to mind the recent news.  As Mr Roger's said of his mother's response to bad news, she would say "Yes, it's bad, but look for the helpers, there are always good people stepping up to help."  Her intent was to help her then young son process tragic events and realize that even though awful things are hashed and rehashed in the news, a wiser choice may be to "look for the helpers".  We can be those helpers on Saturday as we spread our cheer, smiles and talents to those who may wander by as we're playing!

Until Saturday!  ~~Rachel