Jan 19, 2012


Photo: New director Cindy McCall leads the Blue Skies Orchestras at their annual New Year’s concert at Maberly Hall.

If the January 8 concert at the Maberly hall was any indication, the Blue Skies in the Community's annual New Year’s fiddling extravaganza may have to seek a bigger venue next year.

Membership has increased this year and seats filled up early as avid listeners and supporters lined the walls and stood three deep at the back of the hall to take in the sounds of four fiddle orchestras: the Blue Skies prep, intermediate and community orchestras all under the direction of conductor Cindy McCall, as well as the Celtic Fiddle Orchestra under the direction of Carolyn Stewart.

Last year Stewart, who had founded and led the BSFO for over 20 years, passed on her Blue Skies baton to McCall.

The concert opened with three selections by the prep orchestra, which has swelled this year to 21 players ranging in age from 8 to 60 plus. They showed off their new musical chops with works that advanced in difficulty, beginning with “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and ending in the multiple harmonies of “The First Noel”. Next on the stage was a festively kilt-clad Carolyn Stewart. She has maintained her post as leader of the highly accomplished Celtic Heritage Fiddle Orchestra and led the group in a number of tunes that ranged from The Dill Pickle Rag to an original Israeli-flavored Jig called Yig Elohim, played in a mournful minor key. They played spritely French classics like “Il est né le divin enfant” as well as toe-tappin’ jigs that included “Carpal Tunnel” and “Fort Colounge”.

Orchestra members Randy Weekes and Dave Tislon also had a chance to shine in the accomplished vocal solos they delivered during “Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella”.

After an intermission, it was the time for Cindy McCall to shine with the Blue Skies Fiddle Orchestra. The group played a wide selection of individual tunes and medleys that included one favorite of McCall's called “Lafayette Waltz”. Listeners enjoyed other upbeat favorites: “Drowsy Maggie”, “Cooley's Reel”, “Breton Carol” and the well known “Muriel’s Waltz”. During intermission McCall spoke of the importance of the orchestras having a chance to perform together, which gives members the opportunity to build bridges musically with one another while also learning from each other.

McCall is thrilled in her new role as director. “This is something that I was definitely meant to do and the year has been busy and enjoyable, overwhelming and wonderful”.

One highlight of the show was the graduation of the McCall's 10-member intermediate orchestra into the Blue Skies Orchestra, bringing the latter’s membership from 27 to 37. The concert closed with a grand finale, with all the players on stage joining in for a festive rendition of “Silent Night” for which members of the audience were invited to sing along. Interested players will have to wait until fall of 2012 to join along in the fiddling fun and can contact Cindy McCall at 613-278-2448 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

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